Finding out a ceiling, floor or attic in your home may contain asbestos is stressful, especially in the middle of renovation plans. The good news is that there's a clear, well-regulated process in B.C. for dealing with it safely. We connect Kamloops homeowners, landlords and businesses with licensed local asbestos specialists who can assess the material and quote on removing it.
Kamloops Asbestos Removal is a referral service. Removal work is carried out by independent contractors who hold a valid WorkSafeBC Asbestos Abatement Licence.
When is asbestos removal needed?
Not every asbestos-containing material has to come out right away. According to WorkSafeBC, materials that are in good condition and left intact don't pose a significant danger of releasing fibres. They become hazardous when they deteriorate or are disturbed, for example when they're handled, sanded, drilled or broken up. Removal is usually considered when:
- You're planning a renovation or demolition that will disturb the material
- The material is damaged, crumbling or deteriorating
- You're doing maintenance or repairs, such as plumbing, electrical or HVAC work, that will cut into walls, ceilings or floors
- You want the material gone before selling, renting or renovating the property
Before any removal, the material should be tested. See asbestos testing and inspection for how that works.
Common asbestos materials in Kamloops homes
WorkSafeBC says asbestos was used in more than 3,000 building materials, and that a home built before 1990 is likely to contain it somewhere. Materials that specialists commonly deal with include:
- Popcorn and textured ceilings: sprayed or stippled ceiling and wall finishes
- Drywall mud: joint, filling and patching compound on walls and ceilings
- Vinyl flooring: vinyl tiles, linoleum sheet flooring and the adhesive underneath
- Vermiculite insulation: loose, pebble-like attic or wall insulation, often greyish-brown or gold
- Pipe and heating insulation: wrap on older hot water pipes, boilers, furnaces and ducts
- Exterior materials: stucco, roofing felt and shingles, asbestos cement siding and soffits
- Other items: window putty, older electrical panels and some light fixture backings
You can't confirm asbestos by looking at a material. Some insulation that looks suspicious turns out to be fibreglass or mineral wool, and some ordinary-looking drywall mud contains asbestos. Lab testing is the only way to know.
B.C. rules for asbestos removal
B.C. tightened its asbestos rules on January 1, 2024. Here's what that means for you as a property owner:
- Contractors must be licensed. Asbestos abatement contractors need a valid WorkSafeBC Asbestos Abatement Licence (AAL). Licences are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
- Workers must be certified. Anyone doing asbestos abatement work must hold a valid asbestos certificate for that type of work.
- Owners must check. Under section 6.2.3 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, the owner (and any prime contractor) must make sure the abatement contractor holds a valid licence before allowing the work to begin.
- Survey first. Before renovation or demolition, a qualified person must inspect for hazardous materials such as asbestos and prepare a written report (section 20.112).
WorkSafeBC warns that hiring an unlicensed contractor puts workers and your family at risk, and can lead to consequences such as a stop-work order and extra costs for proper clean-up. You can check any contractor in the WorkSafeBC Asbestos Abatement Licence Registry.
What the removal process usually looks like
- Testing or survey. A qualified asbestos surveyor collects samples, has them analysed by a lab and gives you a written report showing where asbestos was found.
- Quote and plan. You share the report with a licensed abatement contractor, who quotes on removing or containing everything identified.
- Removal. The contractor's certified workers set up the work area to control fibres, remove the material and arrange for it to be handled and disposed of properly.
- Closing report. When the work is finished, the contractor provides a report confirming that the asbestos has been removed or contained and the area is ready for renovation or demolition.
Questions to ask before you hire
- What is your WorkSafeBC Asbestos Abatement Licence number, and when does it expire?
- Can you provide a current WorkSafeBC clearance letter?
- Does your quote cover everything listed in my hazardous materials survey?
- How will the work area be contained, and will any part of the home be off limits?
- Will I receive a written report confirming the asbestos has been removed or contained?
How we help
We're not a contractor. We make it easier to find one. Tell us what you've found and where, and we'll pass your request to a licensed local specialist who serves your part of Kamloops so they can contact you about a quote. There's no charge to request a quote, and you're never obliged to hire anyone.
Sources: WorkSafeBC: Find licensed contractors; WorkSafeBC: asbestos information for homeowners; OHS Regulation Part 6; OHS Regulation Part 20.