QUESTION

I have a question that I was hoping Dr. Cooper could answer.  I live in a 1913 home in Aurora, Ontario.  We had the home inspected and we were told that there is asbestos in the heating grates.  (We have metal heating grates on the wall and between the metal duct and the wall is a paper-like substance – I think it’s paper like and grey but honestly, I haven’t got close to it to take a good look).  Have you ever heard of this?  I have been searching for someone who has a similar problem, and I can’t find anyone, although I suspect they’re out there somewhere.  The inspector said that because it was behind a grate it shouldn’t be a problem.  However, I have 3 young children at home, and I’m concerned for their health.  Some of the companies I have talked to recommended sealing it with a cast-like material, another one recommended putting a special “tape” on the edges.  I don’t know what the right answer is.

I would feel better if it was removed from the house.  I was wondering if you could give me some advice.  First, I’d like to get someone in to confirm it is asbestos and second, I’d like to hire someone to remove it (even though I know it’s very expensive).  I have been unsuccessful in finding a company that deals with residential asbestos issues.  The companies I found on the internet deal with commercial clients and were not interested in a residence.

I’d prefer to hire someone on a recommendation because I don’t want to end up with a bigger problem than I have now, so I need someone experienced and safe.

Any advice/assistance you could provide would be helpful.

I attended a workshop with Dr. Cooper in Aurora, Ontario last year and discovered your magazine.  I’m so glad I did – it’s great.

Cheers Heidi F.

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ANSWER

A.  Hello Heidi,

Asbestos must be left to an expert for its testing and removal.  With the age of your house which falls into the first quarter of the twentieth century, homeowners and builders used copious amounts of asbestos including: paint, plaster, concrete, wall coverings, siding, insulation, floor coverings including tiles etc. etc. In most cases leaving asbestos alone is the best way to live with asbestos, however, when people remodel and start any kind of demolition the disturbance of the material is when it becomes a health risk.  And it is a very real health risk!!!

There are two types of asbestos; Chrysotile and Amphibole asbestos, and I have included some Health Canada and EPA information herein to clarify.  Your local health unit and building department may have a list of local contractors for domestic removal of asbestos.  I am afraid I have no recommendations to give, other than one contractor that I used extensively in Europe.

I do have a concern about a material near a forced air heating system, because if for some reason there is deterioration in the suspected material it will then become airborne and therefore a health risk to everybody in that environment. And as to the sealing with a special tape etc, if it is approved by Health Canada and or the Provincial Occupational Health Authorities or the EPA (for our American Subscribers) then I would assume it is a recommended fix! Do your research, explore both sites listed below!

I hope this helps, if you do decide to have the asbestos removed or worked on, I would remove yourself, pets and of course your children from the environment during said works or removal for several days. I wish I could be of more help; we are working on some independent testing and research and hope to be of more help in the future with one of our Edifice Atelier Preservation Briefs.

Very best regards, Dr Christopher Cooper | The Old Home Doctor

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RESOURCES

The US EPA: https://www.epa.gov/asbestos

Health Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/air-quality/indoor-air-contaminants/health-risks-asbestos.html

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NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS

Since the Middle Ages, les ateliers have gathered masters, apprentices, and students to produce art under the master’s supervision. Since 1983, The Edifice Atelier Institute has been addressing the shortage of skills and knowledge needed to meet the current and future conservation, repair and maintenance requirements of our traditional buildings under the mentorship of Dr. Christopher Cooper Restoration Architect, with well over four decades of hands-on experience in the heritage field.

The vast majority of people in Canada and the United States believe that our historic buildings should be preserved. However, despite the public’s passion for built heritage, the majority don’t understand the specialist skills needed to preserve them.

At a time when the entire construction industry is facing a skills shortage, we have found that there is a lack of skills to repair and maintain our heritage homes and commercial buildings, leaving property owners no other choice but to hire unskilled people.

One of the biggest complaints we have had from heritage property owners is the lack of craftspeople who can or are willing to do smaller projects. To ensure that these crucial skills are not lost and our cherished historic buildings don’t fall into disrepair, a stronger pipeline of skilled talent is needed and it is important that craft skills are developed in addition to the continual promotion of professional skills, as the two skill sets are intrinsically linked to create any successful construction project, no matter how big or small.

It is very important in these times of hyper construction activities that our built heritage is often not repaired, or is maintained incorrectly with modern, unsympathetic techniques. During the past year we have very successfully provided our Heritage Maintenance Program across Canada and the United States to a select group of students. And as of today we are taking new applications for a very small and select amount of students with passion for a heritage consultancy.