780-803-3774 [email protected]
Asbestos in your Property

Asbestos in your Property

Asbestos is a hazardous material that can cause serious health problems if disturbed or handled improperly. It is commonly found in homes built before the 1990s in materials such as insulation, floor tiles, and roofing. Asbestos fibers are invisible to the naked eye and can be easily inhaled, leading to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other respiratory diseases.

Disturbing asbestos in your residence without proper precautions of HEPA filtered DOP Tested Equipment, Proper PPE and not following industry approved practices and procedures can put you and your family at risk of exposure.

The first step in ensuring your safety is to identify whether your home contains asbestos. If you are unsure, it is best to hire a professional to conduct an asbestos assessment. They will determine the location and extent of the asbestos, and advise you on the best course of action.

If you need to undertake work that could potentially disturb asbestos, such as renovating or demolishing, it is advised to never attempt to remove or handle asbestos yourself. Always hire a licensed and trained professional who is equipped with the proper equipment and knowledge to safely handle asbestos. They will follow strict protocols to ensure the asbestos is removed safely and disposed of properly.

In Alberta, it is essential to adhere to the regulations set forth by the Occupational Health and Safety Code, which outlines the proper handling, removal, and disposal of asbestos-containing materials. Failure to follow these regulations can result in fines and legal consequences.

In conclusion, the health hazards of disturbing asbestos in your property without proper precautions cannot be overstated. It is essential to take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your family from the dangers of asbestos exposure. If you suspect your home may contain asbestos, contact a licensed professional for an assessment and follow industry-approved practices and procedures for safe handling, removal, and disposal.

The Dangers of Asbestos

The Dangers of Asbestos

Nowadays the hazards of asbestos are well known. And it’s already been several decades since we’ve stopped using this material in our homes. However, if your house was built before 1990, there’s a fair chance that it contains asbestos. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, between the years 1920 and 1990, 240,000 homes across Canada were insulated with materials that might contain this potentially harmful product.

When is asbestos dangerous?

Asbestos becomes a risk to your health when the fibres become airborne and you breathe them into your lungs. The fibres can become airborne in two ways:
  • When asbestos-containing products begin to break down. Products that deteriorate and release asbestos fibres are called “friable” and can include attic insulation, spray-on popcorn ceilings, sprayed fireproofing and sprayed thermal insulation.
  • When asbestos-containing products are damaged, for instance by tears, cracks or water damage. Such damages might occur when people are doing home renovations
Note, however, that most housing materials containing asbestos don’t pose health risks, so long as they’re in good condition.

Why is asbestos dangerous?

Asbestos fibres, which can’t be seen, smelled or tasted, don’t dissolve in the body; once they‘ve been inhaled or ingested, it’s extremely difficult for our bodies to expel them. These trapped fibres can cause inflammation, scarring and ultimately cellular damage. Asbestos is associated with numerous diseases, the main three being lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma: chronic diseases that are highly serious and often fatal. Every year a staggering 100,000 people worldwide die of asbestos-related diseases.

There are no immediate symptoms upon exposure to the substance, and asbestos-related illnesses often take 20 to 50 years to develop. However, given the seriousness of the diseases, once they’ve been diagnosed, there’s often no way to effectively treat them. The only measures to take are preventive ones, including removing potentially dangerous asbestos-containing materials from your home and taking care not to expose yourself to such materials on the job. (Occupational exposure is by far the principal cause of asbestos-related illnesses.) 

What to do if you discover asbestos-containing materials in your home?

Sometimes it’s essential to remove asbestos-containing materials; sometimes it’s best to leave them undisturbed. In any case, evaluation and removal of asbestos should always be done by certified asbestos abatement professionals.

If you discover (or suspect) that asbestos was used in your home or building and you aren’t certain that it’s safe, don’t hesitate to reach out to A&M Abatement. Our asbestos abatement contractors will provide you with the reliable and professional service you want for such an important task. Contact us today for asbestos removal in the Edmonton area.

Interior Demolition and How is the Cost Estimated?

Interior Demolition and How is the Cost Estimated?

When you decide to renovate one of the first and most underappreciated steps is interior demolition. You may believe interior demolition is a simple matter of smashing down a few walls and tearing out a ceiling or floor, but there are several key steps to ensure the job is done safely and the old surfaces are properly left to receive new finishes. At A&M Abatement Services we take care of your demolition projects efficiently without damaging the remaining finishes.

What is Interior Demolition?

Interior demolition is the process of removing finishes or other features inside your home or business, this can include, cabinets, flooring, appliances, the removal of walls, and even stripping the walls right down to studs so you can completely update your space inside and out. Why should you hire a professional demolition expert and what does it involve? There are several dangers associated with demolition, and I don’t just mean slivers and pinched fingers. In addition to the inherent dangers associated with this work, you must also consider if you know how to properly disconnect and isolate water and electricity, can you identify which walls may be load-bearing? Do you understand how certain things are installed and what may be damaged if they aren’t removed properly?


How do we estimate the cost of your interior demolition project?


There are several factors to consider when estimating the cost of demolition and it is more than just the cost of sledge-hammers and screwdrivers.

  • Size and Scope of the Project
    • How big or small and complex or simple is your project? We will look at what you are removing and how much time and effort it will take to remove your old finishes.
  • Waste
    • What can be salvaged and reused or recycled? What needs to be disposed of and how much disposal is required; will it fit in a pick-up truck, will you need a large trailer to transport it, or do you need a bin or several bins on site?
  • Hazardous Materials
    • Asbestos – Did you know that asbestos can be found in several materials inside your home including linoleum, vinyl floor tiles, ceiling or wall texture, drywall joint compound, pipe elbows, and vermiculite insulation? Proper safety procedures must be followed when dealing with asbestos-containing materials to ensure the safety of workers and of occupants after the renovations are complete (asbestos fibers are so small that they can remain airborne indefinitely, even after the area has been cleaned up). Proper procedures and final air clearance are critical when dealing with Asbestos.
    • Mould – If any parts of your home have been exposed to a lot of moisture over time possibly from flooding, leaks, or steam you may find mould when you open up walls or attic spaces. We can safely remove and clean up any mould as part of our abatement services.
    • Lead Paint – Lead paint is common in older homes and needs to be removed in such a manner that the lead won’t be inhaled or allowed to absorb into your bloodstream, proper lead removal procedures must be followed when working around lead paint. If you are renovating an older space in the Edmonton area and need professionals to remove the old materials hazardous or not call A&M Abatement Services

If you’re looking for abatement professionals in the fields of demolition, mould removal, and remediation in the Edmonton area, give us a call at A&M Abatement Services Ltd.