Asbestos in Your Calgary Home: Understanding the Risk and Ensuring Safe Removal
Your Calgary home represents more than a physical structure. It supports your family’s health, safety, and future. However, for thousands of homeowners living in properties built before 1990, asbestos may still exist behind walls, above ceilings, or beneath floors. Builders once praised asbestos as a miracle mineral because of its heat resistance and durability. Today, health authorities recognize it as a serious and preventable health hazard.
Because of these risks, Calgary homeowners must understand where asbestos appears, why it is dangerous, and why professional asbestos removal is essential. At Wise Abatement, we focus on identifying and eliminating asbestos safely so families can live with confidence.
The Hidden Threat: What Asbestos Is and Why It Is Dangerous
Asbestos includes several naturally occurring fibrous minerals. From the 1930s through the late 1980s, manufacturers widely used these fibres in construction materials because they resisted heat, fire, and corrosion. As a result, asbestos appears in many older Calgary homes.
The danger begins when asbestos-containing materials become disturbed. For example, renovations, repairs, or deterioration can release microscopic fibres into the air. Once inhaled, these fibres can lodge deep in the lungs. Over time, this exposure may lead to serious and often fatal illnesses.
Common Asbestos-Containing Materials in Older Calgary Homes
Asbestos commonly appears in residential building materials, including:
Insulation
Vermiculite insulation, particularly Zonolite, along with pipe, boiler, and attic insulation.
Flooring
Vinyl floor tiles, sheet vinyl flooring, and the adhesive used beneath them.
Ceilings
Popcorn or stipple ceilings, acoustic ceiling tiles, and plaster finishes.
Walls
Drywall joint compound, plaster, and textured wall coatings.
Roofing and Siding
Asphalt shingles, roofing felt, and asbestos cement siding panels.
Other Materials
Window putties, furnace ducts, electrical wiring insulation, and cement pipes.
Because these materials appear throughout the home, even minor projects can create exposure risks.
The Severe Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure causes long-term health consequences. In many cases, symptoms appear decades after initial exposure, which makes early prevention critical.
The most serious risks include:
Mesothelioma
A rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. Asbestos exposure causes nearly all diagnosed cases.
Asbestosis
A chronic lung disease that scars lung tissue and reduces breathing capacity.
Lung Cancer
Asbestos significantly increases lung cancer risk, especially for smokers.
Other Cancers
Medical studies link asbestos exposure to ovarian, laryngeal, and colorectal cancers.
Because no safe level of asbestos exposure exists, any disturbance of asbestos-containing materials poses a health threat.
Wise Abatement Tip:
If your home was built before 1990 and you plan renovations or repairs, assume asbestos may be present. Therefore, always arrange professional asbestos testing in Calgary before starting any work.
Wise Abatement: Your Certified Partner for Asbestos Testing and Removal in Calgary
Given the serious health risks, certified professionals must handle asbestos testing and removal. Wise Abatement has protected Calgary homes for over 13 years by delivering compliant, safe, and reliable asbestos abatement services.
Our team combines experience, strict safety protocols, and comprehensive insurance coverage. As a result, homeowners regain a safe and healthy living environment.
Why Choose Wise Abatement for Asbestos Abatement?
Homeowners across Calgary trust Wise Abatement because we deliver proven expertise and accountability.
• Over 13 years of asbestos removal experience in Calgary
• COR safety certification and strict safety compliance
• City of Calgary licensing and regulatory adherence
• $5M liability and $2M pollution insurance coverage
• Safe Removal Guarantee supported by air clearance reports
• Highly trained and certified abatement technicians
Because asbestos removal requires precision, experience matters.
Our Process: A Meticulous Approach to Asbestos Abatement
Wise Abatement follows a detailed, step-by-step process to ensure safety at every stage.
1. Inspection and Testing
First, certified technicians assess the property and collect samples from suspected materials. Accredited laboratories then analyze these samples to confirm asbestos type and presence.
2. Customized Abatement Plan
Next, we develop a site-specific plan. This plan outlines containment methods, removal procedures, timelines, and clear pricing.
3. Containment and Negative Air Pressure
We fully seal the work area using critical barriers. At the same time, HEPA-filtered negative air machines prevent fibre migration.
4. Safe Asbestos Removal
Our technicians wear specialized PPE and use wet removal techniques to minimize fibre release.
5. Decontamination and Cleaning
After removal, we thoroughly clean all surfaces and equipment using HEPA vacuums and wet wiping methods.
6. Air Quality Clearance Testing
An independent industrial hygienist conducts air sampling. Once results meet regulatory standards, the property receives a clearance report.
7. Proper Disposal
Finally, we double-bag, label, and transport all asbestos waste to approved hazardous facilities according to Alberta regulations.
Wise Abatement Tip:
DIY asbestos removal greatly increases contamination risk. Therefore, always rely on certified professionals with the proper equipment and training.
Peace of Mind Is Our Priority
Wise Abatement delivers more than asbestos removal. We provide verified safety, transparent communication, and respect for every property. Our Safe Removal Guarantee and third-party clearance testing ensure homeowners can confidently reoccupy their space.
Concerned About Asbestos in Your Calgary Property?
Do not risk your health or property value. If you own an older home or plan renovations, contact Wise Abatement for professional asbestos testing and removal in Calgary and Southern Alberta. We proudly serve Okotoks, Airdrie, Cochrane, High River, and surrounding communities.
Call (587) 997-6500 today for a free consultation or quote and breathe easier knowing your home is safe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I tell if a material in my home contains asbestos?
You cannot identify asbestos by sight alone. Instead, only laboratory testing can confirm its presence. Therefore, if your home was built before 1990, you should assume materials may contain asbestos until a certified professional tests them. Professional asbestos testing in Calgary provides the only reliable answer.
Do I always need to remove asbestos if professionals find it?
Not always. In some cases, asbestos-containing material remains safe if it stays intact and undisturbed. For example, sealed pipe insulation in an unused area may not require immediate removal. However, if the material shows damage, deterioration, or will be disturbed during renovations, professional asbestos removal becomes the safest and often legally required solution.
What asbestos regulations apply in Alberta?
Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Code strictly regulates asbestos handling. These regulations require hazard assessments, trained workers, proper containment, air monitoring, and approved disposal methods. Consequently, homeowners and contractors must follow these rules to avoid health risks and penalties. Wise Abatement complies fully with all Alberta OHS asbestos regulations.
Can I claim asbestos removal costs on my taxes or receive financial assistance?
Government grants or tax credits for asbestos removal are not consistently available. However, some programs occasionally apply depending on property type or renovation scope. Therefore, homeowners should check current provincial and federal programs. Even without incentives, asbestos removal protects health and helps preserve property value.
How long does asbestos removal usually take?
Project timelines vary depending on the amount and location of asbestos. Small, contained projects often take one to two days. Larger or multi-area abatement projects may take several days or longer. However, Wise Abatement provides a clear schedule in advance so homeowners know exactly what to expect.
Is it safe to stay in my home during asbestos removal?
In most cases, residents should vacate the affected areas during active removal. Although containment systems prevent fibre spread, temporary relocation ensures maximum safety. Once clearance testing confirms safe air quality, homeowners can safely return.
What happens after asbestos removal is complete?
After removal, an independent industrial hygienist conducts air quality testing. Only after results meet regulatory standards does the property receive clearance for re-occupancy. As a result, homeowners gain documented proof that their home is safe.
