Owning an older home can be rewarding. The charm of original details and solid craftsmanship often comes with a sense of history. But age also brings risks that newer homes rarely face, and asbestos is one of the most serious. Knowing when and where to look for asbestos can help protect your health, guide renovation plans, and prevent costly mistakes during upgrades or repairs.
Understanding When Asbestos Was Commonly Used
Asbestos became popular in Canadian construction in the early 1900s and reached its peak between the 1950s and 1980s. During those decades, it was added to countless building materials because it was durable, heat-resistant, and inexpensive. If your home was built before the late 1980s, there is a good chance that some part of it still contains asbestos materials. Even homes built in the early 1990s may have leftover stock from before regulations tightened.
We often see asbestos in homes constructed during the post-war housing boom when insulation and fireproofing materials were in high demand. Builders used asbestos in floor tiles, ceiling texture, drywall compound, pipe insulation, roof shingles, and even siding. While most of these materials are harmless when intact, they become dangerous when cut, sanded, or broken.
You can learn more about asbestos removal in Calgary and how it applies to your specific home age, but understanding the common usage timeline is the first step.
Why Age Alone Is Not Enough
While the construction year gives a strong clue, it is not the only factor. Many homes have gone through multiple renovations, and each update can introduce new risks. For instance, a 1960s home that was remodeled in 1985 might have asbestos ceiling spray from the original build and asbestos-based flooring installed later. Similarly, a 1970s home renovated in the 1990s might have removed some asbestos materials but not all.
We also see homes where previous owners covered old asbestos flooring with new laminate, thinking that sealing it off made it safe. While this does reduce exposure, it also creates a hidden problem for future work. Anyone replacing that laminate may unknowingly disturb the asbestos layer underneath.
Because of this, we always recommend testing before any demolition or renovation, even if you think the asbestos was already removed. One hidden layer is all it takes to release microscopic fibres into the air.
Where Asbestos Likes to Hide
Older homes contain many layers and materials, and asbestos can be present in unexpected places. We often find it in areas most homeowners never think to check.
In ceilings, it may appear in spray-on texture or acoustic tiles, especially those installed before 1980. In walls, asbestos may be mixed into drywall mud, plaster, or joint compound. It can also hide behind decorative finishes, which makes it easy to miss.
Flooring is another common source. Many vinyl sheet floors and 9×9-inch floor tiles contained asbestos. Even the adhesive used to glue them down can be contaminated. In basements, asbestos pipe wrap is common on older heating and water systems. We also see it in furnace ducts, attic insulation (particularly vermiculite), and sometimes even in exterior products like siding and shingles.
Understanding these possible locations helps you decide whether an inspection is worth doing before starting a project.
The Risk in Disturbance
Asbestos is not dangerous when sealed and undisturbed. The problem begins when those fibres become airborne. Sanding, drilling, cutting, or scraping old materials can release fibres that stay suspended in the air for hours. Once inhaled, they can cause serious lung diseases years later.
That is why any major home improvement, even something as simple as removing old flooring or tearing down a wall, can become risky if asbestos is present. Homeowners often think small tasks do not matter, but one careless scrape on an old popcorn ceiling can be enough to contaminate a room.
If you suspect asbestos, stop work immediately and call a certified professional for testing. The peace of mind alone is worth it, and it protects everyone in the home.
Testing Is the Only Way to Know
The only reliable way to confirm asbestos is through lab testing. Visual inspection alone is not enough because many asbestos-containing materials look identical to safe alternatives.
During testing, a professional takes small samples from suspicious areas and sends them to a certified lab. Results typically arrive within a few days and clearly identify whether asbestos is present and in what percentage. From there, you can plan the next steps safely.
Professional testing is especially important before demolition or renovation permits are approved. In Calgary and surrounding areas, city regulations often require confirmation that asbestos has been checked and removed if necessary before issuing renovation approval.
What To Do If You Find Asbestos
Finding asbestos in your home is not a reason to panic, but it does require careful planning. The next step depends on where the asbestos is located and whether it has been damaged.
If it is intact and sealed, removal may not be urgent. However, if you plan to renovate or notice deterioration, removal becomes a priority. Trying to remove asbestos yourself is never safe. Specialized equipment, negative air systems, and protective gear are essential to prevent contamination.
Professional asbestos removal follows strict safety protocols and disposal rules. Every surface is sealed, and the air is filtered to prevent fibres from escaping. After the removal is complete, the area is cleaned and tested again to ensure safety.
For questions about specific materials, you can contact us to discuss your situation and get advice on testing or safe removal.
The Link Between Home Age and Building Codes
Home age not only reveals when asbestos may have been used but also reflects the evolution of building codes. Before the late 1970s, asbestos use was not restricted. By the 1980s, awareness of health risks led to stricter rules, but enforcement varied by region and builder. Some continued using leftover asbestos materials because they were still available and inexpensive.
In Calgary, older neighborhoods like Bowness, Mount Pleasant, and Lakeview often contain homes from the era when asbestos was common. While most new construction since the 1990s has been asbestos-free, renovations in these older areas frequently uncover hidden materials during demolition.
Understanding this timeline helps homeowners make informed decisions about safety checks before major upgrades.
How Renovations Can Expose Hidden Materials
Many homeowners uncover asbestos unintentionally during remodeling. When you remove an old floor, open a wall, or replace insulation, you might find materials you did not expect. Even professional contractors occasionally come across asbestos mid-project, which stops work until proper removal takes place.
If you are planning a renovation, always include asbestos testing as part of the preparation. This prevents project delays, unexpected costs, and health risks. Testing early allows for removal before demolition begins, keeping the project timeline on track.
Some renovation professionals even require proof of asbestos clearance before starting work, particularly in older homes. That policy protects both workers and residents.
The Cost of Ignoring the Problem
Ignoring possible asbestos exposure can have serious consequences. Apart from the health risk, disturbing asbestos without proper containment can contaminate a home, making cleanup expensive and time-consuming. Once fibres spread through ventilation systems, professional decontamination is often the only way to make the space safe again.
In addition, homeowners who attempt DIY renovations without checking for asbestos may face legal or insurance issues. In many provinces, you must provide asbestos clearance documents when selling or remodeling a property. Failure to do so can delay sales or increase costs later.
Addressing asbestos early is always cheaper and safer than cleaning up after a contamination event.
A Tip Most People Miss: Check Additions and Outbuildings
Even if your main home was built after asbestos was phased out, older additions or detached structures may still contain it. Garages, sheds, and basements built or remodeled separately often used leftover materials from older projects. These areas are easy to overlook but just as important to inspect.
We have seen homeowners remove old vinyl flooring or roof panels from a garage only to discover later that they contained asbestos. Because garages and utility rooms often escape regular maintenance, the risk of hidden contamination is higher.
Including these structures in your inspection ensures that no forgotten corner puts your family at risk.
Why Professional Guidance Matters
Handling asbestos safely requires experience and proper certification. Even testing samples carries a risk if done incorrectly. Professionals use sealed tools, wear protective gear, and follow specific collection methods to prevent exposure.
When you work with certified specialists, you not only ensure safety but also comply with provincial and municipal regulations. Proper documentation can protect you from liability and save time during renovation permitting.
Taking the professional route may seem like an extra step, but it guarantees that your home remains safe both during and after removal.
When to Schedule an Inspection
If your home was built before 1990, it is worth scheduling an asbestos inspection before any of the following:
- Replacing floors, ceilings, or walls
- Renovating kitchens or bathrooms
- Upgrading insulation or HVAC systems
- Removing popcorn ceilings or plaster finishes
- Undertaking demolition or major remodeling
Testing before starting work is always faster and more cost-effective than stopping a project midway because of unexpected asbestos discovery.
How Long Asbestos Removal Takes
Many homeowners worry that asbestos removal will delay their renovation for weeks. In most cases, the process is quicker than expected. For small areas like a single room or floor section, removal can be completed in one or two days. Larger or more complex projects take longer, especially if multiple materials are involved.
After removal, clearance testing ensures that the air quality meets safety standards before re-entry. This final check is critical, and professional crews handle it as part of their service.
Knowing what to expect helps you plan timelines realistically and avoid unnecessary stress during home improvement.
FAQ
How do I know if my home contains asbestos?
You can only know through lab testing. Homes built before 1990 are at higher risk, but materials must be sampled by a professional to confirm.
Is it safe to live in a home with asbestos?
Yes, as long as the asbestos materials are intact and not disturbed. Problems arise only when fibres become airborne through damage or renovation.
Can I remove asbestos myself?
No. Removing asbestos without certification is illegal in many areas and highly unsafe. Always hire a licensed professional.
Does every old home in Calgary have asbestos?
Not every home, but many built before the late 1980s contain some asbestos materials. The only way to know for sure is testing.
What should I do if I accidentally disturbed asbestos?
Leave the area immediately, avoid further contact, and call a professional removal company to assess and clean the space safely.