Asbestos Testing & QP Services

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What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a potentially deadly fibrous mineral that’s very tough and resistant to chemicals and heat. Up until 1990, it was regularly used in ceiling texture, drywall mud, flooring, and attic insulation. If these materials are disturbed (such as when they are drilled, sawed, sanded, or broken up during renovations or demolition), workers and family members can breathe in asbestos fibers. WorkSafeBC’s definition of an asbestos containing material (ACM), other than vermiculite insulation, is 0.5%.

What are the hazards of Asbestos?

Renovating or demolishing houses containing asbestos products can release asbestos fibers, which are extremely fine and can stay in the air for hours. Breathing in asbestos fibers may cause serious health problems, including lung disease and cancer.

Asbestosis is the name given to scarring and stiffening of the lungs caused by inhaling asbestos dust over many years. It makes breathing difficult and may lead to fatal diseases such as pneumonia and heart disease. Exposure to asbestos can also cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, which is a rare cancer of the linings of the lungs and abdomen.

Asbestos-related diseases usually develop many years after a person has been exposed to asbestos. The risk of developing these diseases increases with the amount of asbestos in the air you inhale and the length of time you are exposed.

How do i find out if my house contains asbestos?

Prestige Environmental's technician adheres to WorkSafeBC’s minimum sampling guidelines when collecting suspected building materials. They are sent to an accredited laboratory for testing.

It is not recommended that you collect samples on your own as you may not have knowledge about which materials may contain and where they may be concealed. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and cannot be identified with the naked eye. Furthermore, most city demolition permit processes require a Qualified Professional to conduct the Hazardous Materials Survey/Assessment.

 Do I need to ‘Deep Clean’ for Coronavirus?

The Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization have both signaled the importance of having a clean, sanitized, and disinfected environment to help control the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).  The CDC specifically recommends the cleaning and disinfecting of homes and facilities. Undertaking these 3 steps is more commonly known as performing a ‘deep clean’. We want to assist in heeding the calls of these health organizations by helping you understand what it means to perform a ‘deep clean’. The health and safety of you and your family is our top priority and understanding how to fight against the spread of the illness is critical.

What is the difference: Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting

Most important to understand is that cleaning does not kill bacteria, viruses, or fungi more commonly referred to as “germs”. Instead cleaning is done to remove “germs” usually by combining water, a cleaning product, and scrubbing. Though cleaning does not kill ‘germs’ it is still a vital step in the deep cleaning process as removal of dirt and debris can make way for products and methods that do kill ‘germs’ to be more efficacious.

Disinfecting and sanitizing methods on the other hand refer to products that work by killing germs.  These processes do not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. Sanitizers reduce bacteria on a surface by at least 99.9%. Conversely disinfectants kill a wider range of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mold. These methods work great on all surfaces like natural stone including marble, granite, and limestone; upholstery, fabrics, and drapes; and carpets and area rugs on hard non-porous surfaces like stainless steel and the components of your HVAC system.

How do you Sanitize and Disinfect during a Deep Clean?

Our ‘deep clean’ method utilizes three techniques depending on the need.

• Wet sprays – Using wet sprays allows our technicians to completely coat a surface in the sanitizing or disinfecting solution. After the solution is applied wet it is allowed to dry to ensure effectiveness.
• Surface wiping - Wiping allows our technicians to target specific areas to ensure targeted germ killing. The solution is applied wet, allowed to dwell for 10 minutes, then wiped for maximum effectiveness.
• Fogging – Fogging allows our technicians to deliver sanitation and disinfecting solution to hard to reach places and nooks and crannies otherwise missed.

Do you need a Professional Deep Clean?

You can certainly clean, sanitize, and disinfect your home with over the counter solutions yourself. However, in order to reach all areas needed for a ‘deep clean’ including your HVAC system we recommend contacting a professional. Professionals can use tools like foggers and industrial sprayers to get to all areas of your home.

How are our home cleaning technicians protecting against COVID-19?

We know that these are uncertain times and if/when you are ready, we are here to help. Our IICRC trained and background checked technicians are prepared to provide your home/facility with a deep clean including our enhanced service offering of disinfectant and sanitization for carpet, upholstery, air ducts and hard surfaces.

We realize that allowing people in your home or place of business may cause concern. The Elite commitment to you and our employees is to first follow all of the recommendations from the CDC and World Health Organization. Our technicians and employees are required to follow the recommendations which include, but are not limited to:

• Technicians are following the CDC guidelines for hand washing, using hand sanitizer and following all recommended hygiene practices. 
• With regard to social distancing, our technicians are maintaining a distance of 6 feet from our customers, and you do not need to be in the same room while they are deep cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting.
• We are frequently cleaning and disinfecting all our equipment with professional-grade, EPA-approved disinfectant.
• Our technicians will wear booties and gloves, and they will wear a mask upon request; however, the CDC has recommended that people do not wear a mask if they are not ill.

It is our deepest commitment to provide you with a clean, safe and healthy home or work environment. We appreciate you as a community member and customer. We want to assure you that Elite is here to help. pressure washing asbestos home improvement Richmond Vancouver Surrey