Articles

Understand the risks of buying or selling a home with asbestos

Posted Tue, 02/14/2012 - 11:08 by marcj

“A REALTOR® has an obligation to discover facts pertaining to a property which a prudent REALTOR® would discover in order to avoid error or misrepresentation.” **

It can be costly to discover this information too late. Whether it is a deal falling through, a vast hit to your property value, or a hasty abatement processes, it all leads to time and money that will come out of your pocket.

Free, in-home consultations

If your home is over 10 years old and you have noticed granular, metallic looking insulation in your attic, or are concerned about the possibility of asbestos or vermiculite, call Hazpro Environmental today for a free consultation.

* & **Article 4.3 and 4 in the Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice of The Canadian Real Estate Association.

 

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What Products Contain Asbestos?

Posted Tue, 02/14/2012 - 13:23 by marcj

Many products contain asbestos. From 1900 until well into the 1980s, asbestos was commonly used in over 3,000 different products produced through:

  • Construction
  • Mining
  • Milling
  • Processing

Asbestos and its products create many small fibers that, when breathed into the lungs, cause serious health problems. The most dangerous health problem is Mesothelioma, a cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs.

In many countries asbestos is still mined, processed and used. In a growing number of other countries, including Canada, Asbestos is either banned or its use is severely restricted because of the serious health risks associated with it.

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Asbestos in Buildings and Homes

Posted Thu, 04/07/2011 - 07:58 by marcj

A lot of people are worried about asbestos, but what they do not realize is that undisturbed asbestos usually poses little or no problems.

On the other hand, everything should be done to prevent the release of asbestos fibres because they can cause serious damage to your health; especially to your lungs and could be the cause of various cancers. That is why asbestos surveys or asbestos removal should be done as soon as you find out that there is asbestos somewhere.

It is usually very difficult to see whether there is asbestos, or not, in a building or a home.If you are not sure, or have doubts, you should contact a company that will carry out asbestos surveys to find out more.

It is important to know that if you think that you are living in a house with asbestos there is no need to panic. Asbestos is safe as long as it is not damaged or disturbed. That is why you should never do any type of work on asbestos materials like sawing it or drilling it.

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The Facts About Asbestos Exposure

Posted Thu, 04/07/2011 - 08:02 by marcj

Knowing the facts about asbestos exposure will help you to protect yourself and your loved ones. The U.S. and many other governments have compiled fact sheets and created guidelines and laws for handling and reporting asbestos exposure, as well as, strict guidelines for asbestos removal and abatement. Being informed about asbestos and the dangers of asbestos exposure can help you avoid becoming a statistic.

Why Asbestos Exposure is a Problem?

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Understand the risks of buying or selling a home with asbestos

Posted Thu, 04/07/2011 - 08:06 by marcj

Buying and selling homes has long been one of the foremost effective methods of investment. We are well aware of the peaks and valleys that make up our economic system; that is why many of us trust and believe in the equity we build when owning a home.

“The REALTOR® shall not be party to any agreement in any way to conceal any facts pertaining to a property.” *

So when it comes to purchasing or selling a property, it is imperative that you maximize your investment value. Quite often a combination of renovations, landscaping, location, and/or the natural supply and demands of the housing market, dictates how much of a reward your investment will be.

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Abestos Exposure and Children

Posted Thu, 04/07/2011 - 08:16 by marcj

Awareness about the harmful effects of asbestos on children, among the parents and general public, is what is required today to put more pressure on governments and regulating agencies to take adequate steps in eliminating asbestos and protecting children from asbestos deadly effects. Parents are more concerned about the dangerous effects of asbestos on children ever since it has been established that asbestos can cause deadly diseases among adults. The effects of asbestos on children are observed most in those who live or study in buildings where asbestos was used as one of the building material. Asbestos fibres can also be picked up while doing outdoor activities like playing in a playground that has an old asbestos track or camping in places where the levels of asbestos are higher than normal.

Harmful asbestos effects on children occur when they, like adults, breathe in the air that contains high levels of asbestos fibers. The breathing process in children is different from adults and they also have a lung structure that is different from adults.

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What is Asbestos

Posted Wed, 06/22/2011 - 13:49 by marcj

Asbestos is a natural mineral with unusual qualities. It is strong enough to resist high temperatures, chemical attack and wear. A poor conductor, it insulates well against heat and electricity.

Asbestos crystals become long, flexible, silky fibres, so it can be made into a wide variety of forms. It can be spun into yarn, woven into cloth or braided into rope. Asbestos can also be added to materials as diverse as cotton and cement.

This combination of properties gives asbestos performance capabilities that are difficult to match.

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What is Vermiculite

Posted Wed, 06/22/2011 - 14:36 by marcj

Vermiculite is a silver-gold to gray-brown mineral that is flat and shiny in its natural state. When heated to around 1000 degrees C, it pops (or puffs up) which creates pockets of air. This expanded form, and the fact that vermiculite does not burn, made the material suitable for use as insulation.

Is all vermiculite a health concern?

Vermiculite itself has not been shown to be a health problem. However, some vermiculite insulation contained asbestos fibres, which can cause problems if inhaled. As long as this kind of vermiculite-based insulation remains undisturbed behind intact walls or in attic spaces and does not become airborne, it should not be a concern.

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