If your floor or ceiling tiles contain asbestos, follow these recommendations:
⬡ Do not disturb the materials – avoid drilling, sanding, or breaking them
⬡ Do not attempt to remove the tiles yourself
⬡ Keep the area isolated and prevent access, especially by children
⬡ Contact a trained, certified or competent asbestos professional in your area to assist you
⬡ Asbestos-containing materials like floor or ceiling tiles need to be handled and disposed of properly, according to provincial regulations
Testing for asbestos in properties built or renovated prior to 1990 is crucial because:
⬡ Early detection prevents accidental exposure during renovations
⬡ Quebec law requires asbestos testing before certain renovation activities
⬡ It helps protect workers and family members from health risks
⬡ It ensures compliance with local building codes and regulations
⬡ It can affect property value and insurance considerations
⬡ Although there are physical indicators, the only way to determine if a material contains asbestos is through microscopic analysis, by trained analysts at an accredited laboratory.
⬡ Often, asbestos is embedded within the material and cannot be seen with the naked eye
On average, asbestos testing companies in Montreal ma:
► Bulk material sampling: $150-$500 per sample
► Air quality testing (clearance or air monitoring): $200-$600
► Comprehensive asbestos home inspection: $400-$1,200
Prices may vary based on where the property is located, the size of the property, number of samples required, and the turnaround time requested to obtain results.
It is also important to know if asbestos is in your home by testing materials, especially before:
⬡ Before any renovation or demolition work
⬡ When buying a home built before 1990
⬡ When planning to sell a property built or renovated before 1990
⬡ If you notice damaged or deteriorating building materials
⬡ Before installing or updating new heating or ventilation systems
⬡ If you’re planning structural changes
⬡ When required by Quebec’s building inspection regulations
Standard home inspections in Quebec typically include:
► Visual inspection for potential asbestos-containing materials
► Documentation of suspicious materials
► Recommendations for professional testing if needed
However, actual asbestos testing requires professional inspection services that are often outside of the Standards of Practice of most general home inspectors.
Asbestos fibers can remain suspended in air for:
⬡ 48-72 hours in still air
⬡ Several weeks with air circulation
⬡ Indefinitely if regularly disturbed
This is why proper containment during removal is critical and regulated by Quebec’s workplace safety standards.
Professional air quality testing for asbestos can help determine whether airborne fibers are present above the recommended provincial threshold of 0.01 fibers/cubic centimetre.
Your home may be at higher risk if:
⬡ It was built between 1940 and 1990
⬡ It has original popcorn ceilings
⬡ It contains vintage floor tiles or pipe insulation
⬡ It has older vermiculite insulation
⬡ It contains plaster with a skim coat
⬡ It features textured wall surfaces from before 1990