Category Archives: Environment

Asbestos can be found in building materials of homes built pre-1990s. Whe planning a renovation or demolition of an older home its important to plan for asbestos testing and be informed about the risks associated with asbestos.

Asbestos is a mineral organically found and mixed into building materials for four decades because of the fire-resistant properties it has. When it became clear that inhaling asbestos fibers could be the cause of profoundly serious respiratory infection – mesothelioma most notably – the practice stopped in the 1990s, but the problem is that many older homes will still have asbestos in them. read more

Summer is a great time of year, and this includes mould growth. From the hot temperatures to the sometimes humid environment, mould loves the summer. In this article, we are going to look at some things you can do to help combat mould growth without the team at Urban Environmental having to come in and eradicating a growing colony!

Keep the home and common areas clean and dirt free

Mould grows on dirty, and moist surfaces, and combating the surfaces that you can see is usually an excellent course of action to prevent mould growth. Regular cleanings of cooking spaces, appliances and other high use areas will help prevent the growth. Things such as cooking oils, dirt and even soap scum can help facilitate mould growth, so tackle those asap! read more

Now that COVID-19 is in full swing and social distancing orders have been implemented, many people find themselves spending more time than ever before at home and possibly in need of something to do. Once you have the surface cleaned your house, perhaps it is time to move on to a bigger project. For instance, cleaning out the garage, finishing the basement or renovating the bathroom. But what should you do if you come across something a little unexpected? Perhaps a touch of mould in the bathroom? Lack of insulation in the attic? Here is how you can deal with some unanticipated of you next at COVID-19 induced home improvement project. read more

As a professional remediation company, we know a few things about deep and meaningful cleaning. We have been inundated with questions about how we to clean surfaces and homes. So, we thought it was time to put pen to paper and help our clients in and around Vancouver!

Hard Surfaces
As COVID-19 can live for a number of days on hard surfaces, you will want to start here. For hard surfaces, you will first want to use traditional soap and water to clean the surface area. Once that is done, you can move to disinfect. You should look to use an EPA approved disinfectant, but if that is not available, you can use a diluted bleach solution with five tablespoons of bleach per four litres of water. Spray, and wipe down this solution and let dry. read more

As we live in a rain forest, mould is a significant concern for homeowners and renters in and around Vancouver! So, as one of the leading mould remediation companies in the city, we thought it might be time that we put pen to paper to help out some of our clients. So, here are the most common places for mould to grow in and around the Greater Vancouver Regional District.

Roofs

As the winter turns to spring, we see a lot of rain here in the GVRD. Although most of our roofs are waterproof, you can see significant water damage to older roofs across the coast. Where there is water infiltration, there is probably mould. Mould loves a dark, wet and warm place, and your attic or roof lining is the perfect spot for mould to grow and flourish! read more

Here on the West Coast, we get a lot of rain, and that means that mold is always a threat. Naturally, a few of our clients have started to ask what some of the causes of mold are, but we thought it would be better if we went in a little different direction. We know that water causes mold, but what else needs to be in the area or room to cause mold to grow.

Mold Spores

First and foremost, you need the presence of mold spores to grow mold. These spores can come from a variety of sources, and it is tough to find the cause. Mostly, it is either through the environment or rotten food. read more

Locations used for the growth and production of cannabis, legal or otherwise, are sometimes referred to as “grow-ops”. People are often surprised to learn that many residential buildings have been used at some point or another in their history as a grow-op, with some estimates being as high as 1 in 4 in some regions of BC. These locations can remain contaminated for ten years, or sometimes more. Mold is a significant concern in these buildings. The dangerous toxins caused by mold do not merely disappear; naturally, they must be removed for an area to made safe again. While a larger and long-term set-up may cause more overall damage, size and scale may be less important than you might think. A small set-up that was only in operation for a few days can still be dangerous for a variety of reasons. Both individual homeowners and landlords are at risk, in terms of health problems as well as financial cost. read more

As one of the leading environmental cleanup companies on the west coast, we often get asked, what is the best way to prepare for winter. Naturally, we thought it was time that we put pen to paper and finally answered that question on our blog! So, here is how to prep for a Vancouver winter to prevent any future issues.

Check your home’s rain readiness

We get much rain in the winter here in the Lower Mainland, and your home needs to be prepared for a west coast winter! Make sure to spend some time checking on your gutters, are they flowing well, and free of debris? If they are not, clean your gutters, and downspouts before the rain starts. Next, you should check the paint on the outside of the home; paint is designed to colour your home but also is designed to keep moisture away from rotting the house. If it is flaking or peeling, it might be time for a touch-up. read more

As one of the few companies in the Greater Vancouver Area that can complete complicated building demolition, the team at Urban Environmental has received many a phone calls on what the usual steps are in the process. So, we thought it might be time to put pen to paper and go through the steps on how to complete a building demolition in this great city.

1. Determine the demolition method

You can either complete a demolition by machine, which means front end loaders and bulldozers complete the work, or you can complete the demolition by hand. Mechanical demolition is usually the fastest and cheapest route, with the average demolition costing around $8000. read more

When you are looking to re-install or complete a renovation in your home, you are often left with a decision on what kind of insulation you will choose for space. It might seem like an easy decision, but it turns out that you need to know a little about where you are putting the insulation and keep in mind of where you live.

How insulation is measured

Insulation is measured in R-value. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation is at performing in lower temperatures. Thus, if you live in a colder temperature, it is essential to invest in higher R-value insulation if you lived in a warmer climate such as Arizona. However, you do have to consider if you have to compress your insulation, your R-value will drop. read more