Signs Your Home May Need Asbestos Abatement – And What to Do About It

When most people think of home improvement, they typically think of fresh paint, smooth remodels, or a modern new kitchen backsplash. What’s hidden behind the exterior walls of most old houses, however, is a hidden villain—asbestos—a stealthy perpetrator which may be silently endangering your home’s health and that of your family.

If your property was constructed prior to the Nineties, it is high time you asked yourself one easy question: Does your private home require asbestos abatement? Don’t be alarmed—this article will assist you in identifying the telltale symptoms and what to do subsequently.

What is Asbestos Abatement?

Asbestos abatement is the process of finding, containing, and eliminating asbestos-containing materials (ACM) from systems. It’s neither a house responsibilities project nor an aesthetic requirement; it’s a health and protection necessity. Asbestos is safe when it is left alone. When disturbed, it sends pleasant fibres into the surroundings—fibres which are breathed and can lead to sicknesses, including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.

6 Signs That Asbestos Abatement May Be Necessary In Your Home

Here’s what to be on the lookout for and when you may call the professionals:

1. Your Home Was Built Before 1990

This is the largest red flag. Asbestos was used extensively in Canadian residential buildings between the 1920s and the late 1980s. It appeared in anything ranging from insulation and ceiling tiles to backing for flooring and siding.

Your house was built before 1990, and particularly if it was never inspected, you most likely have asbestos-containing materials within it.

2. Worn or damaged insulation

Insulation in attics, next to aging boilers, or between walls which are fraying, disintegrating, or powdering may be asbestos-containing. Likewise, when you see cracking or flaking on your popcorn ceilings, drywall, or wrapping for the piping, it’s time for an inspection.

Even minor disturbances, such as drilling, sanding, or installation or removal of light fixtures, may release fibres into the air when asbestos is present.

3. Unexplained Respiratory Symptoms within the Household

Were you or a relative ever plagued by chronic wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath for which you could find no obvious reason? These are common symptoms when there has been asbestos exposure, most likely from an old home which has never been inspected or renovated.

While signs alone will never be conclusive, they are still another crucial indicator that your home environment may need.

4. Renovation plans are underway

Wait first, when you are about to start the renovations, and your house is an old one. Don’t rip down walls or tear away flooring coverings first. Renovation activities generally release hidden asbestos, and it makes the surroundings more dangerous.

Always be prepared for an asbestos inspection prior to the first swing of the hammer.

5. Unidentified materials on buildings

Materials ranging from floor tiles, roofing shingles, and cement siding, particularly those that have been replaced or renovated decades ago, may be contaminated with asbestos. In the absence of contemporary safety labelling, it is advisable to presume that they might be contaminated and get them tested.

6. Fresh water or fire damage

Asbestos materials, which are once closed or untouched, can be dangerous when they are fractured or disturbed through fire or water. Water or flooding and building damage can destroy protective layers and release fibres. You must include an asbestos risk assessment within your recovery plan when your home has been damaged.

✅ What to Do When You Suspect Asbestos

So you saw some red flags. Now what?

1. Don’t Touch It!

The golden rule is: don’t disturb suspected materials. Don’t move, drill, or touch anything you think might contain asbestos. Airborne fibres create the greatest risk.

2. Engage a Certified Asbestos Inspector

Experts have the training and equipment necessary to detect if asbestos is present safely. They will take a sample, send it for analysis to a lab, and then report back to you fully.

In Canada, locate licensed professionals specializing in regulatory requirements for your region, like Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, each having asbestos abatement regulations.

3. Arrange Asbestos Abatement using Licensed Contractors

Don’t be alarmed if you find asbestos—the asbestos removal experts can safely remove or encapsulate it through rigorous protocols. They’ll cordon off the work zone, suit up, and utilize HEPA filtration systems to ensure that none of the fibres make it into the rest of your home.

You cannot do it. It’s unsafe, and against the law in most provinces, to attempt to take it out yourself.

4. Restore With Confidence

After asbestos has been securely removed or encased, you can rebuild or redesign with confidence. Your home will be healthier, safer, and built in accordance with current construction rules, providing you with invaluable peace of mind.

A Safe Home is a Happy Home

The biggest concern is knowing your house is safe for your family. Asbestos can be a hidden enemy, but it doesn’t have to be one when you have a keen eye and the right professionals to help you.

If you recognize any of these signs, it may be high time to call for an inspection. Asbestos abatement is not a procedure—it’s an investment in a healthier, safer home. Worth it, and well.

Require asbestos abatement work done within your region? Contact us at [Your Company Name] for a professional inspection now. We provide abatement work for residential property owners throughout your region and bring peace of mind to each inspection.