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Asbestos Testing & Inspections
in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton & beyond!

Inch by Inch Inspections provides professional, asbestos testing and inspections. Our inspection will include a complete:

  • asbestos removal TorontoVisual examination
  • Careful collection of samples  
  • Lab analysis of samples

If asbestos is present, our inspector will provide a written evaluation describing its location and extent of damage, and give recommendations for correction or prevention. 

Inch By Inch Inspections follows Ministry of Labour regulation 278/05 to ensure your safety for asbestos testing and inspections. 

Your home may require an asbestos inspection

Any home below the third floor of a multi-level, multi-family dwelling needs to be checked for both. Both are usually found in homes built before 1989. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that was widely used in the construction industry. Asbestos by itself has a high tolerance for heat and was considered one of the best materials for fireproofing and insulation. It was largely accepted as a standard in the building industry and was intermixed with concrete as well as used in its material state. During the latter half of the 20th century, it was discovered through research that off-gassing and dust from asbestos created serious health concerns in humans and now the material is banned from most municipalities and older local properties that have the material must engage in asbestos removal in Toronto

Building materials that may contain asbestos, include:

  • Vinyl asbestos floor tiles
  • Textured paints
  • Roofing felt, shingles and siding
  • Acoustic ceiling tiles
  • insulation, including insulation around hot water pipes and tanks
  • Soundproofing or decorative material sprayed on walls and ceilings
  • Wrapped boiler pipes, ductwork, and registers
  • Patching and joint compounds for walls and ceilings
  • Cement sheet, millboard, and paper used to insulate furnaces and wood-burning stoves
  • Soundproofing or decorative material sprayed on walls and ceilings
  • Asbestos cement roofing
  • other materials containing asbestos 

Older Toronto properties maybe still have asbestos

Asbestos material is naturally very good at fireproofing and its dense makeup made it an excellent choice for electrical insulation applications. It had been used widely in construction since the 19th century until the discovery of ill effects from asbestos and was not banned until the latter part of the 20th century. Residential and commercial properties built into the 1970s and early 1990s may have utilized asbestos-based materials as insulation and in electrical installations and the hazardous fibers may still be present. The health risks are far too great and asbestos removal in Toronto is a critical process for older local residential and commercial properties. 

asbestos removal toronto

How asbestos fibres can harm your body

Asbestos is a heat and fire-resistant material that was used before 1989 in homes to insulate heating pipes. It is made up of long fibers that are smaller than what can be seen by the eye and they can be breathed in. They are so small, in fact, that they can be sucked into an air filter and passed right back out of a vacuum cleaner. Asbestos fibers can become lodged in internal body tissues when they are breathed in and this can cause cancer. Most people will develop no symptoms unless they are exposed to high amounts of asbestos. The inspection will determine if the asbestos is deteriorating and causing a problem and needs to be removed.
Breathing in asbestos can cause lung cancer and other serious lung diseases. If you are concerned about possible exposure to asbestos, talk to your healthcare professional.

Serious short and long terms health effects of asbestos

Research over time has discovered that asbestos creates toxic environments that can lead to severe and lethal health problems. Over time, asbestos can break down and release sharp microscopic fibers into the local air stream and can be easily inhaled by anyone breathing in the interior air. These solid fibers cause scarring inside the lungs, known as fibrosis, which creates difficulty in breathing and will lead to a host of other respiratory and circulatory health issues. Longer-term exposure to asbestos-contaminated air can lead to more severe health problems such as lung cancer which can lead to death. Older GTA homes usually 1985 and under and commercial property built before the 1990s may have asbestos and asbestos-based materials in their structures; combined with the drastic health concerns created by the material mean asbestos removal in Toronto is is a non-negotiable maintenance issue that must be completed to ensure the area is safe and healthy. 

How is asbestos harmful to your lungs?

When asbestos is cut, grounded up, or disturbed, asbestos fibers can fly into the air and stay there for a long time. When you breathe in, asbestos fibers can get stuck deep in your lungs. The fibers damage the alveoli, the tiny air sacs at the end of your breathing passages, deep in your lungs. Normally your alveoli inflate and deflate like a balloon, taking in oxygen and getting rid of carbon dioxide. Healthy alveoli are nice and stretchy. Asbestos causes damage and scarring (fibrosis) so your alveoli become stiff, not stretchy. When your alveoli are stiff your lungs have a harder time taking in oxygen, and the muscles in your chest have to work harder to force the air in and out of your lungs. Asbestos also increases the risk of developing lung cancer, especially in those who have smoked.

Everything you wanted to know about asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of microscopic fibers. There are several known types of asbestos each with its own unique characteristics. Certain types of asbestos have razor-sharp fibers that could easily be inhaled by humans if exposed to it. Asbestos has excellent fireproofing and fire retardant characteristics. It was used extensively in commercial and residential construction until the negative long-term health effects were discovered. Asbestos material was commonly used in core building materials such as insulation and drywall. The mineral itself has no off-gases and can only be detected through laboratory testing.

Is asbestos still in use?

These days, only a small number of products sold in Canada contain asbestos. Asbestos may still be used in brake linings, clutch facings, and some roof shingles. Asbestos is regulated in Canada by the federal government’s Hazardous Products Act.

Nowadays, Canadians are most often exposed to asbestos when working in an industry that makes or uses asbestos products, or when they are knocking down or fixing old buildings. People who work near asbestos should use special equipment and have special training on how to limit their exposure. Handling material that contains asbestos is not a job for a do-it-yourselfer; it requires the expertise and the equipment of a professional. If you are planning to repair or seal a building that may contain asbestos, hire an experienced contractor with specialized training in how to handle and remove asbestos.

Although asbestos is banned for use in most Canadian products, it is still mined here in Canada and it is still exported and widely used in other countries. This means millions of people worldwide are exposed to asbestos and at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos Inspections & Asbestos Air Testing

If you are buying a new home or doing a renovation project in a home built before 1985, you may be putting yourself at risk for asbestos exposure without even knowing it. Asbestos may be found in wall insulation, insulation around hot water and steam pipes, soundproofing and decorative materials on the walls and ceilings, ironing board pads, textured paint, roofing and siding shingles, vinyl floor tiles, and other items in your house. You do not need to remove these products, as long as they are not damaged or falling apart. If the material is damaged, do not remove it yourself – removing or disturbing the asbestos will release the asbestos fibers into the air.

Hidden areas of asbestos

Contractors rely on duct tape to complete, repair, and configure ductwork along HVAC systems. The nondescript grey shiny tape is used in areas of high heat and has excellent bonding properties against aluminum and other metals commonly used in HVAC systems. Prior to the 1990s, many builders and contractors used duct tape that contained asbestos because of its ability to handle high heat. Unfortunately, asbestos fibers are now known to cause severe health problems and are not used in the building industry. These ‘asbestos tapes’ are major problems for homeowners. Eventually, this type of duct tape can dry out and break down releasing those harmful fibers into the ductwork and directly into the home’s air stream. Even just pulling the tape off can cause asbestos to be released into the air. Asbestos duct tape will appear white and does not have the usual grey tone that today’s duct tape has. If you locate this type of tape along your home’s ductwork, call a certified asbestos removal professional. These tapes have an extensive amount of asbestos in them and must be treated as highly toxic material. Containment and safe removal procedures are necessary even for the smallest amount of tape.

Asbestos in attics is a serious issue

asbestos testing TorontoOlder homes may have materials and insulation located in the attic. In most cases, the attic is inaccessible and not frequently maintained. Components such as roof vents and intakes may become clogged, broken, or non-functioning preventing or restricting proper airflow. Other elements such as insulation may break down gradually and infrequent inspections could result in the release of toxic asbestos material into the home’s air. The position of the attic is also problematic as deficiencies in the attic will have a trickle-down effect on the rest of the home. Professional inspection crews will most likely take samples from the attic area to see if there is asbestos in any insulating or framing material. Upon confirmation of the toxic substance, your asbestos professional will create a thorough and detailed solution plan to safely remove the material from the attic of your home. Attic asbestos projects are a more delicate operation because of the potential contamination that could occur during material removal and transport. Licensed and certified professionals have the latest removal tools and processes available ensuring a complete job done safely, within local regulations and bylaws concerning asbestos.

Possible asbestos points in your basement

Because of its incredible heat managing properties, asbestos was the go-to material for many components of your home’s basement. Older designs relied heavily on pipe wrapping and many hidden sections of piping may be covered in asbestos-based wraps. Hot water tanks and copper fittings and joints were also wrapped up in blankets made from the toxic material. The main source of asbestos in basements comes from wall insulation made before the 1990s. Asbestos itself does not release harmful particles into the air but when material made with asbestos breaks down, those razor-sharp fibers easily float through the air and can enter through the home’s HVAC system directly in the basement. Components such as insulation and duct tape are only designed to last a few decades and material breakdown is a given. Even older homes that have had new furnaces and hot water tanks put in may still be using the original or older pipe systems that utilize asbestos-based wraps. Inspection crews will focus on your home’s basement when checking for asbestos sites.  

Expert Asbestos Air Testing & Inspections in Toronto

Asbestos is a silent and dangerous problem facing homes and commercial properties built before 1990. Breakdown and disintegration of asbestos material can cause severe and lethal health-related issues and must be addressed immediately. Residential and commercial property owners can expect complete, safe, and thorough asbestos removal in Toronto from the professionals at InchByInch. InchByInch delivers consistent and complete execution through its extensive experience in all types and sizes of asbestos removal projects. GTA owners and managers of older properties should consider frequent asbestos testing from InchByInch for complete air quality management. 

Call Inch by Inch Inspections to schedule your asbestos inspection for your residential or commercial property in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

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What Our Clients Say About Us

Hiring a construction contractor to renovate my house for the first time, I was not familiar with any of the DSS-related requirements.  So, it was quite reassuring to find someone like Tony who is trustworthy and knowledgeable. I also needed a quick turnaround for the completed DSS report and Tony delivered (on time, as promised).  In short, Tony was great to deal with. I would recommend him to anyone, anytime.   

Richard, Toronto

Tony did an excellent job with inspecting the house. He was very knowledgable in his field and thorough with his inspection. He carefully and patiently looked at both the exterior and interior of the building. He pointed out the deficiencies, what the risks are and how to rectify them. He answered all of our questions and made sure that we understood them. He offered his expertise and help if we needed.

Mandan, Toronto

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