If a home or building was built before the late 1980s, asbestos may be present in some materials. Asbestos is not a problem when it is intact and left alone. It becomes a risk when it is disturbed during demolition or renovation, because fibres can be released into the air. That is why testing comes before any demolition begins.
Where asbestos is found
Asbestos has been used in many building materials. Common places include some insulation, floor tiles and mastic, textured ceilings, cement board, pipe and duct wrap, and some older roofing and siding. The only way to know is to test the material, because it cannot be identified by sight.
Why testing comes first
Testing tells you what is present, where it is, and how it must be handled. It sets the scope: whether the material can be left, whether it needs to be removed by a qualified abatement contractor, and what containment and disposal rules apply. Starting demolition without testing can expose workers, your household and the neighbourhood.
The process we follow
- Site visit and identification of the materials that will be disturbed.
- Sampling by a qualified person, with samples sent to an accredited lab.
- A written report that names each material and its result.
- A scope that covers removal, containment and disposal where needed.
- Verification records and photos before and after each stage.
What happens during abatement
Where asbestos needs to be removed, the work is done by a qualified contractor using containment, negative air pressure and wet methods to keep fibres from spreading. Waste is sealed, labelled and disposed of through the approved route. Clearance testing is used at the end to confirm the area is safe before the rest of the work continues.
Why it changes the schedule
Testing and abatement add steps before demolition can start. The schedule has to allow for lab turnaround, for the abatement work, and for the clearance result. Planning this early avoids delays later.
What we include in the scope
- The testing and the lab results, recorded in the project file.
- The abatement scope, if removal is needed, and who performs it.
- Containment, protection and waste handling.
- Clearance before the next trade is brought in.
- Photos and records at each step.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my house has asbestos?
You cannot tell by looking. Testing by a qualified person is the only reliable way.
Is asbestos always dangerous?
Intact asbestos that is not disturbed is generally left in place. The danger comes from disturbing it.
Who removes asbestos?
Removal should be done by a qualified abatement contractor. We coordinate the testing, the scope and the schedule so the right people do the right part.
Do I need testing before a renovation, not just demolition?
Yes, if the renovation will disturb the materials. The rule applies to any work that cuts, breaks or removes them.
How long does testing take?
Results depend on the lab. We confirm the timing at the site visit so it fits the schedule.
Can I do the removal myself?
Removal should be done by a qualified contractor. Disturbing the material without the right controls can release fibres into the home.
Book a free site visit or call (416) 639-1990. We will walk the job with you and put the scope in writing before any work starts.
Questions to ask before you hire a demolition team
- Will the scope be written before the price is set, and will it list every item?
- Who handles permits, service disconnections and waste disposal?
- How are unexpected findings recorded, and how are changes approved?
- Who supervises the site, and how often will you receive updates?
- What is protected, and how is dust and access controlled?
- Which records and photos will you receive at handover?
Who to involve, and when
A good demolition plan brings the right people in the right order: the homeowner or owner, the lead on site, the trades that disconnect services, the waste hauler, and where needed the engineer or inspector. Bringing them in early avoids the costly stop-and-start that comes from work being added late.
What good looks like at handover
At handover, you should have the photos of the open and cleared space, the records of what was removed and what was kept, the disposal records, and the list of any items that remain for the next trade. Nothing should depend on memory.
Keeping your household informed
Testing and abatement change how a home is used for a period of time. Rooms may be closed off, access may be limited to one route, and work may need to pause while results come back. Knowing this in advance lets you plan where the household will be, and what will be cleaned and checked before you return.
We share the schedule, the results and the clearance records with you, so you know the state of the home at every stage.
Keep the test results and the clearance records with the house file. They matter at resale, for insurance, and for any future work on the same area.