Apex grew fastest during the 1990s and 2000s, but a meaningful share of homes in the historic core and the older subdivisions north and east of downtown predate 1989. Those are the homes where pre-renovation testing matters most — and where a missed bulk sample turns a routine remodel into a regulatory event.
Asbestos testing is the lab side of the work. A trained inspector pulls physical samples under chain of custody, an AIHA- or NVLAP-accredited laboratory analyzes them under EPA-validated methods, and a certified written report comes back with results, accreditation numbers, and a plain-language interpretation.
Testing is not inspection. Testing is not removal. Testing is the analysis of physical samples, performed by an accredited lab, documented in a way that a permit reviewer or a buyer’s attorney can verify — and that’s exactly what we deliver.
Each one shows up regularly when we’re asked to verify or re-test a result that someone else collected.
A drywall assembly has paper, joint compound, and texture — three different homogeneous areas that can each test differently. Pulling one chunk and calling it ‘the ceiling’ misses the materials that actually trigger NESHAP.
Dry scraping, contaminated tools, and shallow sample plugs all bias results toward false negatives. A clean PLM result on a poorly collected sample is the most expensive number you can buy — it tells you to proceed when you shouldn’t.
Reoccupying a space after removal without an independent third-party clearance air test is a violation of NC 15A NCAC 19C, exposes the owner to liability, and can render the abatement record unusable in any future transaction.
We sample to AHERA, ship under chain of custody, and pair every lab result with an interpretation you can act on without calling us back to translate.
We meet on site, identify suspect materials room by room, define homogeneous areas under AHERA rules, and confirm what regulatory question we’re answering — pre-renovation, pre-demo, due diligence, or clearance. Sampling plan first, sampling second.
Bulk samples are wetted to suppress fibers, double-bagged, photographed in place, and logged into a written chain of custody. Air samples are pulled on calibrated personal pumps with mixed-cellulose-ester filters at NIOSH-validated flow rates.
AIHA- or NVLAP-accredited labs run PLM under EPA Method 600/R-93/116 for bulk, PCM under NIOSH 7400 for air fiber counts, and TEM under AHERA protocol when definitive identification is required at low percentages or for school clearance.
Results come back with sample IDs, methods, accreditation numbers, percent or fiber counts, and an analyst signature. We pair the raw lab data with a plain-language interpretation and recommended next steps you can hand to a contractor or buyer.
Real reviews from homeowners and contractors across North Carolina.
“We bought a new to us 1964 home last December and to no surprise, we had asbestos popcorn ceilings. We decided to remove the ceilings altogether versus just scraping them. To complicate things even more, we had a plumbing leak in a room that had previously been encapsulated, so we had to deal with insurance to cover a portion of the asbestos removal. Rusty and the whole team at Remtech were such a help from the first moment we spoke! They were responsive, flexible, and knowledgeable. They helped us get insurance what they needed. They even worked with us to do the removal work while we had to be out of town. Asbestos removal and dealing with insurance, especially as we were brand new to the home, was incredibly stressful. Working with Remtech was the opposite – they were helpful and easy to work with that I barely had to think about the work being done. It was a nice break for my brain! They also did a great job. We came home to a CLEAN house with no ceilings! While I’m hoping we never have to go through such a big project again, I know we’d be able to handle it because we can rely on Remtech.”
“Very fast, professional and responsive. Did floor asbestos abatement for our house for a very reasonable price and they were very quick to schedule to keep us within our very close timeline.”
“As a General Contractor specializing in Bathroom & Kitchen remodel, we complete in excess of 250 bathroom upgrades each year. Regardless of our remodeling and construction experience and capabilities, when it comes to addressing the unforeseen hazardous and environmental conditions posed by mold, asbestos, and lead paints, we have a responsibility to our customers to partner with the best abatement specialist possible, and as proficient in abatement as we are kitchen and bath remodeling. Remtech has proven to be that reliable and trusted partner for both our customers and company. We highly recommend the Remtech Team.”
“A few months ago I used Remtech Envir. to remove asbestos from the ceiling of my home, and to this day I’m still amazed with their service that I’ve been meaning to write a review, and today’s the day! The whole process went through so smoothly because of their professionalism, punctuality and care. At the end of each day I received an update from Rusty who was the project manager which was super helpful, and because of their expertise I knew the job was getting done correctly. There was a lot of asbestos to remove, and they showed up and delivered hard work to get it done within the time frame that was initially discussed. So grateful we used their services! I would highly recommend!”
“Our church basement flooded and the old asbestos tiles curled up and had to be removed. Jeff Brewer came over to look at our problem, explained what they would do. He furnished a quote very quickly with a fair price. After checking with two other companies, Jeff’s instructive conversation, ease of manner, willingness to help and a fair price won him the work. As a former contractor, I know how backed up companies can be in their schedule. He told us of a target time about 4-6 weeks off, which was fine. He called a couple of weeks later and had an opening in his schedule and wanted to come earlier. That was great. Their staff arrived on time and delivered a very quick, professional and clean project. This allowed us to get our Fellowship Hall floored and back in operating condition prior to the start of the school year. It is a pleasure to work with a company that communicates well and delivers their service in a superior way.”
“I have spoken with Bryan on many occasions about growth strategy. He has always been open to communicate. I look forward to future conversations.”
“Remtech came in and did a removal of asbestos when our home developed a leak and the sheetrock ceiling had to be removed. Got right to work, kept us informed every step of the way and did a great job of cleaning up. Would use them again in a heart beat!!”
“The cost was higher than expected, so I did not move forward at that time. I will use Remtech when I am ready to have the work done. They are very professional and take the time to answer any questions. The rep arrived on time, explained the process and provided the estimate. A very positive experience.”
A positive PLM kicks off an inspection scope and an abatement plan. A clearance air test wraps a removal job. We carry the work end to end so nothing falls between vendors.
Five questions cover ninety percent of inbound calls about Apex testing. The short answers are here; the details are a phone call away.
If you’re disturbing more than 160 square feet of surfacing material, 260 linear feet of pipe insulation, or 35 cubic feet of any miscellaneous material, NC NESHAP requires an accredited inspection — which includes sampling and lab analysis — before demolition or renovation. Below those thresholds, testing is still strongly recommended for any pre-1989 home in Apex because of how widespread popcorn ceiling, vinyl floor tile, and pipe wrap are in that vintage.
PLM is the bulk method — it identifies asbestos in solid material like ceiling texture, floor tile, mastic, drywall mud, and insulation. PCM counts fibers in air but cannot distinguish asbestos from other fibers, so it’s used for general workplace clearance and OSHA exposure. TEM is the definitive electron-microscopy method — it identifies individual asbestos fibers and is required for AHERA clearance and for confirming bulk samples below 1%.
AHERA sets the minimums. For surfacing material like popcorn ceiling: three samples up to 1,000 square feet, five up to 5,000, seven above 5,000 — per homogeneous area. Thermal system insulation: three per homogeneous area. Floor tile and other miscellaneous materials: representative sampling. We always sample to AHERA, never below it, regardless of whether the project is school-regulated.
Yes, with rush. Standard PLM turnaround is three to five business days. One-hour, same-day, and 24-hour rush options are available at premium rates — useful for closings, permit deadlines, and post-abatement clearance. Air PCM is typically next-day. TEM runs three to seven days standard. Most renovation projects in Apex don’t need rush if they’re scoped a week ahead.
Sample IDs, sample locations mapped to a floor plan, materials sampled, analytical method (PLM, PCM, or TEM), AIHA or NVLAP lab accreditation number, percent asbestos by type for bulk or fibers per cubic centimeter for air, analyst signature and date, chain-of-custody documentation, and a plain-language interpretation with response-action recommendations. Formatted for permit reviewers, lenders, insurers, and abatement contractors.
Tell us what you’re looking at — popcorn ceiling, vinyl floor, pipe wrap, pre-renovation survey, post-abatement clearance — and we’ll scope the right test the first time.
Whether it’s a single suspect ceiling or a full pre-renovation scope, the first step is the same: a short conversation about what’s in the building. Send the details and we’ll take it from there.