Reduce Health Risk and Liability with Expert Mould Removal in Edmonton

Have you noticed discoloration on your walls, buckling flooring materials or warped ceilings? If so, it is highly likely that your property has incurred water damage, which can lead to mould problems if not taken care of immediately. Mould spores can germinate and grow wherever moisture is present. If neglected, they can lead to unsafe living or working conditions, the depreciation of property value, long term structural damage and unsalvageable personal belongings and furniture. Mould has a distinct smell to it so you may be able to track down the source of the smell if it is in sight. However, not all types of mould will give off a smell, so a thorough inspection by professional mould abatement experts in Edmonton is the only way to be sure.

Where might you find mould spores?

• Foundation walls, drywall or framing
• Attic sheeting
• Basement walls
• Bathroom tiles
• Kitchen sink cabinets
• Window and door jambs

Mould growth occurs in all types of buildings but it can be controlled by improving ventilation and insulation and by quickly drying wet surfaces. However, if mould has significantly damaged your home, it requires expert attention to ensure its growth systems and active spores are removed.

A&M Abatement Services Ltd – Safe and Effective Mould Remediation in Edmonton 

Mould remediation not only involves removing the mould, but also eliminating the source of the water or moisture. Do not attempt to clean the area yourself if you detect black mould. This degree of damage should be handled by specialized equipment and procedures to safely and effectively remove all traces of contamination. Black mould can be very toxic and cause serious symptoms and health problems including:

• Mental and neurological symptoms
• Respiratory symptoms
• Circulatory symptoms
• Vision and eye problems
• Skin problems
• Immune system problems
• Reproductive system problems
• Tiredness and discomfort

Time is of the essence when your home or business property is contaminated with mould. Simply cleaning it with bleach and water will not suffice. The process involves correct cleanup and removal techniques to address the damage and health risks associated with mould build up. Removing contaminated material will prevent the spores from spreading and causing more destruction to your investment. It’s a good idea to have a mould removal company inspect the area to determine the extent of the damage before resuming your daily activates.

A&M Abatement Services Ltd is Edmonton’s leading mould removal company, providing fast response and quality service. Contact us today at 780-803-3774 or visit us online for more information on mould abatement in Edmonton.

Most people know mercury as the liquid metal used in thermometers. But did you know that mercury can also be found in many common workplace products? Keep reading to learn more about mercury, how it affects your health, and how to dispose of it safely.

What is Mercury?

Mercury is a naturally occurring chemical element found in the earth’s crust. It’s released into the atmosphere by natural occurrences like volcanic eruptions and also through human activities like burning coal, burning products that contain mercury, the production of cement and during the process of waste elimination. Even in small amounts, mercury is a potent and dangerous toxin.

Common Items Containing Mercury

Although more and more industries are moving towards mercury-free alternatives, there are still a number of products used in the workplace that contain mercury. For example:

• Barometers
• Button batteries
• Dental fillings
• Electrical switches
• Fluorescent and neon lights
• HVAC equipment
• Hydrometers
• Medical products
• Paints manufactured before 1992
• Pharmaceuticals
• Pressure gauges
• Thermometers
• Thermostats
• Thermostat probes
• Vehicles

Use extreme caution when working with a piece of equipment that contains mercury. If the equipment breaks, the mercury could be released into the air and inhaled as vapour. Inhalation is the most common source of exposure. Proper disposal is the only way to protect the safety of the environment and anyone working with products that contain mercury. If a spill occurs don’t risk trying to clean it up yourself, call A&M Abatement Services for professional hazardous material removal.

How does Mercury Affect Your Health?

Mercury can enter the bloodstream through direct contact with the skin, or through the lungs where it is inhaled as vapour. The side effects vary depending on the amount, and the duration, of the exposure. High dose exposure is fatal but even low-dose mercury exposure over a long period of time can result in:

• Anxiety
• Birth defects
• Brain damage
• Damage to the nervous system
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Increased risk of miscarriage
• Infertility
• Insomnia
• Kidney damage
• Loss of appetite
• Memory loss
• Respiratory problems
• Vomiting

See a doctor immediately if you suspect that exposure to mercury is negatively impacting your health. Although it occurs naturally, mercury poses a serious health risk to humans. And if spilled mercury makes its way into nearby rivers, lakes and oceans the consequences for wildlife can be serious and far-reaching. That’s why it’s so important to rely on experts like A&M Abatement Services for hazardous material removal.

The professionals at A&M Abatement Services in Edmonton have the skills and the knowledge required to safely and properly dispose of products containing mercury, asbestos, mould and more. When it comes to hazardous material removal, don’t take a chance on your health, leave it to the professionals. Contact us today for a free estimate.

Mould. We know it as the fuzzy fungus that grows on expired food, and the strange looking stains that appear on walls and floors after water damage. But when it comes to mould, a lot lurks beneath the surface. Keep reading to learn how mould can affect you and how best to deal with it.

Where Can Mould Develop?

Any chronically damp area inside your home is at risk. Mould often appears after major leaks or flooding, but can also develop as a result of excess humidity from everyday things like cooking and showering. Mould grows on porous surfaces like wood, drywall, and insulation and reproduces through spores that are carried in the air.

How to Identify a Mould Problem

In most cases, mould is easy to spot by its smell and the visual signs of mildew. But not all mould is visible. Mould can often take hold deep inside the walls, ceiling and floor tiles, or underneath carpets and underlay.

Mould and Your Health

Daily exposure to mould may result in some of the following health issues:

• Asthma
• Chest and/or nasal congestion
• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Dry, irritated throat
• Eye irritation
• Headaches
• Rashes or other signs of skin irritation
• Sneezing

Speak to your doctor if you suspect mould is negatively impacting your health.

Safe Mould Removal

Certain strains of mould can be toxic to humans and should only be cleaned up by professionals like the experts at A&M Abatement Services. Professional mould remediation addresses large scale infestations and prevents regrowth.

Preventing Mould Regrowth

Preventing regrowth is an important part of any mould remediation plan. The most common causes of mould are excess moisture and poor ventilation. Prevent mould from spreading by checking for the following in your home:

• Damp spots — Check for damp spots throughout your home and address any leaks you find immediately.
• Turn on the fans — The exhaust fans in both your kitchen and your bathroom can help remove excess moisture from the air.
• Vent — Make sure that your exhaust fans, and the dryer line, is properly venting to the outside and not simply blowing the air into your walls.
• Tight seal — In areas prone to a lot of exposure to water, like your kitchen and bathroom, make sure that seals are tight so water can’t seep into the walls or floor.
• Dehumidify — The humidity in your home should range from about 30 – 50%, anything more than that and mould can become an issue.
• Clean — Keep your water holding appliances like de-humidifiers and air conditioners, clean and disinfect regularly.

For professional mould removal and remediation, contact the professionals at A&M Abatement Services in Edmonton. We have the expertise needed to properly dispose of all sorts of hazardous materials like asbestos, mould, lead, mercury and more. Contact us today for a free estimate!

If your home was built before 1990, it’s highly likely that your basement boilers and pipes are insulated with asbestos. During this period, asbestos was commonly used in homes and commercial buildings as an inexpensive insulator and fire retardant. Also found in cement, flooring and ceiling materials, asbestos is a natural mineral fibre in rock that is white in colour and crumbly in texture. When the substance is disturbed, it releases tiny fibres into the air. If inhaled, these tiny fibres can damage the lung tissue and cause cancer.

Though asbestos may take years to cause disease, there are many risk factors that will determine how the exposure will affect your health. These include:

1. Your current state of health i.e. if you smoke or if you have lung disease
2. The amount of asbestos you were exposed to
3. The amount of time you were exposed for
4. How often you were exposed
5. The type of asbestos fibres you were exposed to

Safe Asbestos Removal in Edmonton for Any Size Removal, Cleanup and Treatment Job

Asbestos fibres behind walls and in attics, or kept away from your indoor space pose little risk. However, if you suspect traces of asbestos in your home or business environment, it’s recommended that you consult an asbestos abatement contractor right away. The substance may look similar to other forms of insulation like mineral or fiberglass-based materials. That is why it is important to have the professionals test the material first to determine if it is asbestos.

• If you try to remedy the situation on your own, you may cause more dust to penetrate the air and spread all over your home.
• If this occurs, keep away from your home until you have the area cleaned and treated by a company specialized in asbestos abatement.
• If you are currently in the process of renovating an older home, be alert and stay on guard for unexpected sources of asbestos.
• Power-sanding floor tiles and plaster walls containing the substance can release dangerous amounts of fibres into the air.

Speaking to a professional before commencing your renovation project can protect you and your family from unsafe living conditions and potential health issues. It can also help you prepare a spending plan for your money if you do require asbestos removal. Contact A&M Abatement today at 780-803-3774 or visit us online for more information. Our team of experts can test a sample of your material to see if it contains traces of asbestos. We utilize top-of-the-line protective equipment and employ proven procedures for asbestos removal in Edmonton. You can trust that we will also dispose of the material safely.

Finding mould growing in your Edmonton home is bad news. Unlike other issues that can be addressed at your convenience, mould should always be considered a priority and dealt with ASAP.

Why? Because by the time mould appears it is already well-established and spreading. And depending on the type of mould, it can be a health hazard to your family and/or cause structural damage to your home. An expert in mould abatement and remediation in Edmonton can help you evaluate the situation and develop a plan of action to rid you of the problem.

Let’s look at three of the most common types of moulds found in homes and the health risks they present:

• Aspergillus comprises many genuses and can be a variety of colours. It grows on walls, insulation, soil, clothing, paper products and inside home air conditioning systems. It can range from allergenic to toxic, especially for people with weaker immune systems. It’s important to remember that moulds affect people in different ways. One person might not be bothered at all, while the very same mould spores might induce an asthmatic or intense allergic reaction in someone else. If you suspect a problem, a specialist in mould remediation in Edmonton can help you collect and analyse air and mould samples in your home.
• Cladosporium is another common household mould. It can be brown, green, grey or black and grows in areas around the back of toilets, in fiberglass air ducts, and on wood, dust, painted surfaces and insulation. It is not considered toxic per se, but can induce allergic reactions. Mould issues have increased dramatically over the last few decades with the construction of super-insulated, air-tight homes. But with the help of a mould abatement and remediation expert in Edmonton, you can get rid of the problem once and for all.
• Stachybotrys — the infamous black mould — is another common and toxic mould. It grows in very damp areas. You may be tempted to wash problem areas with soap and/or bleach, but removing the visible part of the mould is only scratching the surface. To rid yourself of the problem, you have to get to the root of it. This may entail localized cleaning, isolation, demolition and renovation. It may also mean improving ventilation and moisture control. A specialist in mould abatement in Edmonton can help make your home the healthy haven it was meant to be!

Need a mould remediation specialist in Edmonton? Contact us at A&M Abatement Services for a free estimate!

At A&M Abatement Services our expert staff is specifically trained to deal with all of your mould issues. It’s what we do!

Call us today!