Asbestos is a mineral fiber that occurs naturally and has been used for many years in building materials because of its fire resistant qualities. It is common to find it in buildings made prior to the 1970s. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that if you have items in your home that contain asbestos you should leave them intact. However, if you are planning a repair or remodeling project that may disturb or expose asbestos, you should seek help from qualified professionals.

Damaged or deteriorated asbestos may release fibers into the air and present possible health risk. Exposure may cause breathing problems and lung ailments. You should not cut, sand, saw, or drill into anything that might contain asbestos. Asbestos should only be handled by removal service technicians, who will have the proper equipment for safe handling.

While it's possible that some items may be labeled, generally there is no way to tell by looking whether asbestos is present by looking. In order to be certain, you need to have professionals take samples and conduct an asbestos analysis. They will also conduct air quality tests in case the asbestos is deteriorating and fibers are being released into the air.

Inspectors will know which areas inside and outside of the building should be examined for asbestos contamination. Over the years asbestos was widely used for vinyl flooring, joint and patching compounds, interior texture paint, stove and furnace seals and gaskets, insulation for boilers, steam pipes, and duct works, as well as roof and exterior siding shingles. Experienced inspectors such as Templar will be familiar with all the possible uses and cover those areas during the inspection.

There are industry groups that certify companies for asbestos analysis and removal. Templar holds certifications from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration and the International Association of Certified Indoor Air Consultants.

Templar follows a step-by-step process of containment, removal, and cleaning in dealing with asbestos contamination. The first step is to seal off the sections that are being treated to keep particles from being released. The next is to place the asbestos in airtight containers for removal. The area is then cleaned of any stray fibers that might be left over, and then finally, an air sample is taken to make sure nothing has been missed.

In cases where fibers are not being released into the air, it may be better if the asbestos is contained and sealed off rather than removed.

Mould and inspection analysis conducted by qualified, trained, experienced, professionals will help you keep your home safe and healthy.

Templar's services of inspection, asbestos analysis and removal provide better indoor air quality and a safer, more comfortable home.

There are many different kinds of mould and not all of them are toxic. Colonies of mould may start growing in walls, crawlspaces, furniture, HVAC systems components, or any place where moisture may collect. Mould analysis is critical to mould abatement and to verifying, when the job is finished, that all mould has been removed.

Asbestos is not used often in buildings constructed since the 1970s, but before then it was very widely used in many different kinds of products because of its fire retardant properties. Asbestos can be found in furnace ducts, floor tiles, roofing materials, soundproofing surfaces, acoustic ceiling treatments, and insulation.