Kasteel is certified to perform all aspects of asbestos air testing, removal and remediation services for residential, commercial and industrial applications.
We focus on providing our clients with the safest and most cost-effective asbestos removal process possible, in order to determine the best approach for each job based on budget, and to ensure that compliance with Health and Safety standards is implemented.
Asbestos itself is a dangerous material, contamination is hazardous in any circumstance. Regardless of the scope of work, expert inspection and consultation is necessary to properly expedite the remediation process.
From a Safety standpoint, Kasteel prides itself in our commitment to maintaining COR status and ensuring the health, safety and well being of the public, the environment, our employees, subcontractors and vendors alike. Our employees are regularly trained and educated in the latest construction safety rules and regulations.
Trusted Approach
Prior to the start of any renovation or demolition project, properties that are suspected of containing
asbestos will need to be tested to confirm the presence of asbestos within the building materials.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that can be separated into flexible fibres, a hazardous building material that can cause disease. The name asbestos comes from the Greek word meaning unquenchable or indestructible. The main properties that make asbestos useful are its incombustibility, strength and flexibility when separated into fibres. Undisturbed asbestos presents no direct health hazard but can be harmful should fibres be released and inhaled.
Asbestos can be found in materials such as:
- Building exteriors (cement siding panels, soffits, roof panels, mastics, stucco)
- Flooring (vinyl asbestos tiles, sheet vinyl flooring, and floor leveling compound)
- Ceilings (ceiling tiles, acoustic and stipple finishes, and plaster or drywall)
- Walls (plaster or drywall joint compound, stippled finishes, and cement panels)
- Insulation (vermiculite, boilers, vessels, pipes, ducts, floors, ceilings and walls)
Why test for Asbestos?
Originally asbestos was used as a flame retardant and as thermal insulation, among other various uses. Asbestos-related diseases (e.g. lung cancer) are caused by asbestos fibres that are inhaled and settle in the lungs. It is important to test for asbestos before initiating any building repairs, improvements on structures or the demolition of buildings that were built prior to 1990.
For safety reasons, asbestos removal is governed by government and industry legislation to avoid the hazards of poor removal practices. Asbestos is banned for use and requires certified removal, the process requires the right tools, equipment, and experience. It is as equally dangerous to remove asbestos in attic insulation as is it to remediate asbestos in a commercial building. Asbestos removal should not be regarded as a do-it-yourself project.