Asbestos Removal Calgary Cost
Residential Asbestos Removal
Over 25+ million homeowners may have to eventually go through the ordeal of residential asbestos removal. Despite knowing the harmful effects of six carcinogenic asbestos minerals, manufacturers and governments decided that the benefits were greater than the possible harmful effects. Consequently, the use of asbestos became widespread after World War II, especially in building materials. Now homeowners face serious health hazards, financial burdens, and possible lawsuits due to the carcinogenic asbestos.
Health hazards
Although asbestos is not dangerous when it's in good condition, it's very dangerous when the fibers have deteriorated or have become airborne. The small, nearly invisible fibers can easily be inhaled or embedded in bodily tissues when they become airborne or are disturbed by vibration. Exposure to high amounts of asbestos for long terms can cause asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. These are all incurable, mostly fatal diseases which may not develop symptoms until 15-40 years after the exposure occurred. Recent research has suggested that asbestos may also cause or aggravate breast, ovarian, prostrate, and laryngeal cancers and pleural plaques.
Financial and legal concerns
Having asbestos in the home can also create numerous financial and legal concerns for the homeowners. By law, the homeowner can be held accountable for any harm due to negligence that befalls someone entering the home. Not taking proper measures to warn people of possible asbestos exposure or to prevent people from being exposed can be considered as negligence. Even if there weren't any lawsuits, the homeowner would have to pay very expensive medical and mostly likely funeral expenses if a member of the family became ill due to asbestos exposure.
Having asbestos in the home also makes it more difficult for the owner to obtain insurance and loans or to sell the house. Many lenders, insurers, and realtors charge higher fees for their services when working with older homes and newer homes that are known to have asbestos in them. Others simply refuse to work with older houses due to the asbestos factor.
Do-it-yourself vs. professional services
If the asbestos is removed, repaired, or abated, then the work should be performed by a professional contractor. Any amateur attempts may create a higher health hazard for the entire family and community. The work requires numerous, expensive safety measures to be taken, including inspections, work area containment, and special equipment and clothing. The attempt to save money could eventually cost someone their life.
Cost
It's expensive for the contractor to set-up and clean-up, even for minor tasks, so they usually charge homeowners a minimum fee. It can cost around $1,500-$3,000 for even a minor abatement project in a home. On top of the set-up and clean-up fees, there's the cost of pre-inspection, sample testing, labor, materials, and re-inspection. It's even more expensive if asbestos removal is required.
Abatement vs. removal
Homeowners generally have a choice of leaving the asbestos alone, taking abatement measurements, or removal. It's highly recommended to leave asbestos alone if it's in good condition. However, the location and amount of damage to the asbestos will be the primary deciding factors between abatement and removal.
Abatement measures are generally less expensive and may reduce the health hazards created by working with asbestos. The abatement measures can either be encapsulation (sealing or binding the fibers with a sealant) or enclosure (covering or surrounding the asbestos to prevent release of the fibers). Either method can be used for major or minor repairs. The cons to abatement measures are that the asbestos remains in place and may need repairing or removal at a later time. The abatement measure taken may make later removal and repairs more difficult and costly.
