ASBESTOS TESTING

Although the dangers of asbestos are by now well known to most, it is not always understood how prevalent the use of the substance once was. Many homes and other buildings built prior to the 1990s contain asbestos in a variety of products.

Insulation is often the first thing to cross one’s mind when thinking about asbestos. It was used extensively for insulating against cold weather and noise but was also valued for fireproofing. Among the many products that contain asbestos are cement, house siding, furnaces and heating systems, floor and ceiling tiles, and textured paint.

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Signs of Asbestos

If you suspect that you have asbestos in your home or building, Lotus Environmental has the knowledge and experience required to perform safe testing. Asbestos cannot be detected simply by looking, but if you have an older home, you can watch for signs of materials degrading. In particular, walls, tiles, vinyl flooring, and insulation (as found around pipes) can be checked periodically for signs of damage or degradation.

If you have plans to perform renovations or remodelling, asbestos testing will need to be performed to ensure the safety of all building occupants, as well as workers.

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Professional Asbestos Testing

While do-it-yourself kits can be found and purchased online, avoid the temptation to test as cheaply as possible. Being able to purchase these kits gives the impression that asbestos testing is easy to do but taking samples for a DIY kit can be difficult, resulting in a poor sample, mixed with other materials. Worse, you are risking your health with potential exposure. Asbestos is a highly toxic substance responsible for several hundred deaths in Canada each year. In fact, it is the number one cause of occupational death in Canada.

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Disturbing asbestos while testing is likely to contaminate your home or workplace, putting occupants at risk. Proper testing for asbestos requires not only special training but specific safety measures to be taken as well. At Lotus Environmental, we use specialized equipment to remove samples for testing and employ strict protocols designed to keep you safe by preventing the spread of asbestos dust and fibres.

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Put Your Mind At Ease

If you need to test for asbestos, Lotus Environmental can provide you with results quickly, but also, more importantly, safely. Don’t hesitate to contact our team of professionals, whether you are planning to renovate or simply wish to confirm the presence of asbestos.
 

Whether you are a homeowner completing a DIY renovation or a Contractor completing a renovation or demolition, Lotus can help you meet regulatory requirements and compliance with bulk asbestos or lead sampling.

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We regularly complete Asbestos Testing throughout Metro Vancouver, including Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Richmond, Delta, Surrey, Langley & Abbotsford.  

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If required, Lotus is a Certified Level S (formerly AHERA) Building Inspector and can complete a Hazardous Materials Assessment/Survey.  Lotus offers competitive rates and fast turn around times to ensure your project runs smoothly without any unnecessary setbacks.