With clear and warm skies finally here, it's the perfect time to start property renovations. However, while you may think you're ready to start new renovations and projects, you may not be. There's a safe way to approach renovations this spring, and it involves conducting a designated substance survey (DSS). A DSS is a report that ensures your property is safe and free of any harmful contaminants, like asbestos. If the report finds that asbestos is present, you'll need to conduct asbestos removal. To avoid asbestos exposure during your renovations, contact Inch By Inch Inspections for a DSS report and asbestos abatement services.
Here's how to safely approach renovations this spring.
Take Age Into Consideration
Generally, older properties have more harmful substances. For instance, commercial and residential properties built before the mid-1980s have asbestos. Asbestos was widely used due to its durability, flexibility, and affordability. Asbestos was common in many building materials, like pipe wrappings, insulation, tiles, and even shingles. It wasn't until the hazardous health effects were realized that its usage significantly declined. So, chances are, if your property was built before the mid-1980s, dangerous materials, like asbestos, could be lingering.
Conduct a Designated Substance Survey
In order to have a safe and seamless renovation of your older property, conduct a designated substance survey (DSS). A DSS is a report that shows all the harmful substances in a property. In Ontario, a DSS must be submitted before any renovations take place. There are 11 designated substances that must be reported in a DSS. The most common substance is asbestos, while lead, mercury, and silica are among the others.
How a Designated Substance Survey Makes Renovations Safe
A DSS avoids any liability and guarantees that the property is safe for workers to continue to renovate. It identifies any contaminants in the property that may cause significant health issues. For instance, if asbestos is identified in a DSS, asbestos abatement services must be conducted before renovations start. By undergoing asbestos removal, it keeps people safe and healthy.
The Importance of Asbestos Removal
Asbestos removal is essential, especially during renovations. Asbestos is a fickle mineral and can become airborne even with the slightest disturbance. However, because the fibers are so minuscule, it's nearly impossible to know when they are airborne. Conducting removal eliminates any potential risk of it becoming airborne and leading to exposure. Asbestos exposure may lead to many health implications, ranging from lung inflammation and lung cancer to mesothelioma. Typically, these symptoms don't appear until decades later, so it's hard to know if you've been exposed to the mineral. With asbestos removal from Inch By Inch Inspections, there's no wondering or worry. We eradicate asbestos from your property so you're able to carry on with your renovations.
Work With Inch By Inch Inspections
Inch By Inch Inspections is your trusted provider for designated substance surveys and asbestos abatement services. Our trusted and certified technicians will make sure that all traces of the hazardous mineral — among other dangerous substances — are eliminated from your residential or commercial property.