Last Updated on December 1, 2025
How to Remove Asbestos Safely?
Being exposed to asbestos can be detrimental to one’s health and one of the negative effects that it brings, is the illness called mesothelioma. This is an illness that comes about when one allows asbestos dust to enter his or her lungs through their respiratory process; causing scars to form all over their lungs. Asbestos have been used during the construction of many homes, and they tend to be used for insulating pipes, making floor tiles and other building materials (cement).
These thin fibrous crystals were pretty common in the past and were used by many industries. Although laws of our modern society have restricted the use of these materials, we can’t afford to stay complacent and it is vital that both new and existing homeowners know how to identify asbestos and take appropriate action to remove them from their immediate premises. Here are 5 ways that readers like you, can implement to eliminate its presence.
Test Suspected Materials for Asbestos (Mandatory First Step)
Asbestos testing is required before any renovation, demolition, or removal.
A certified inspector collects samples of materials such as:
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Drywall joint compound
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Vinyl floor tiles & black mastic
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Popcorn ceilings
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Vermiculite attic insulation
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Boiler or duct insulation
Testing ensures you know whether the material is friable, non-friable, and the type of removal operation required under Ontario Regulation 278/05.
Encapsulate Non-Friable Asbestos When Removal Isn’t Needed
Encapsulation seals asbestos fibers so they cannot become airborne.
This method works for:
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Vinyl tiles
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Drywall compound
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Acoustic ceilings
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Pipe wraps in stable condition
Encapsulation uses specialized sealing agents that bond materials and reduce fiber release.
Enclose Asbestos Materials Behind Permanent Barriers
Enclosure creates a physical separation between asbestos and indoor air.
Common enclosure solutions include:
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Building drywall walls around duct insulation
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Installing sealed flooring over asbestos tiles
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Boxing in pipe insulation
This approach is acceptable when the material is stable and undisturbed.
Professional Asbestos Abatement (Only Legal Removal Method)
Certified asbestos abatement is required for any friable or deteriorating material.
A Type 2 or Type 3 operation may include:
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Full containment with poly barriers
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Negative air pressure machines
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HEPA-filtered air scrubbers
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Wet removal techniques
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Waste double-bagging & labeling
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Decontamination chambers
Only licensed professionals can legally perform asbestos removal in Ontario.
Post-Abatement Air Testing and Clearance Certification
After removal, third-party air testing verifies that airborne fiber counts are safe.
Clearance testing includes:
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Air sampling
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Microscopic fiber analysis
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Final clearance certificate
This ensures your home is safe for re-entry.
Why Asbestos Removal Is Never DIY
Asbestos exposure causes:
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Mesothelioma
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Asbestosis
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Lung cancer
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Chronic respiratory damage
Disturbing asbestos without proper containment spreads fibers throughout the home.
Only certified abatement teams should handle asbestos.
