How Cambridge is built
- Before 1961 23%
- 1961–1990 37%
- 1991–2000 16%
- 2001 or later 24%
Where asbestos shows up in Cambridge houses
Of Cambridge's 41,030 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses and duplexes), 23% were built before 1961 and 60% before 1991, according to the 2021 Census.
- Vermiculite attic insulation: loose, pebbly, grey-brown or silver-gold granules.
- Vinyl floor tiles and their adhesive, textured ceilings and some plaster.
- Duct wrap and pipe insulation on older heating systems.
The rules in Ontario
In Ontario, O. Reg. 278/05 sets the rules for contractors working with asbestos. Owners must have materials checked before arranging renovation or demolition work, but that duty doesn't apply to an owner-occupied house or a building of four units or fewer, so testing your own home is your decision.
Whatever the rules, don't sand, cut or remove suspect material yourself before it's tested.
Testing and labs
A trained assessor takes small samples, and an accredited lab analyzes them; plan on about $50–$150 per sample. Asbestos labs in Canada are typically accredited under NIST's NVLAP program.
Our asbestos and vermiculite guide · Attic inspections in Cambridge
If it's positive: abatement and removal
Leave the material alone until a plan is in place. For vermiculite, Health Canada says not to use the attic for storage, to keep children out and to seal gaps around the attic hatch, light fixtures and outlets, and to hire professionals trained to handle asbestos if you plan to renovate.
In Ontario: Ontario's O. Reg. 278/05 classes contractor work as Type 1, 2 or 3, each with its own procedures and training, and requires advance notice for Type 3 and some Type 2 jobs. The province's waste rules apply to anyone: asbestos waste can leave the site only for a disposal site whose operator has agreed to accept it, in rigid, sealed, impermeable containers that are marked.
Abatement is quoted separately from testing. Get two or three written quotes that describe containment, what will be removed and how the waste will be disposed of.
Communities served
Area guides for the surrounding region, with every town and hamlet listed: Waterloo Region townships area guide (Elmira, St. Jacobs, New Hamburg, Ayr and more); County of Brant area guide (Paris, St. George, Burford and more).
Asbestos and vermiculite testing in Cambridge: common questions
Do I need an asbestos test before renovating in Cambridge?
If the house was built before 1991 and the work will disturb insulation, flooring, plaster or duct wrap, test first. In Ontario, O. Reg. 278/05 sets the rules for contractors working with asbestos. Owners must have materials checked before arranging renovation or demolition work, but that duty doesn't apply to an owner-occupied house or a building of four units or fewer, so testing your own home is your decision.
How much does asbestos testing cost?
About $50–$150 per lab sample, plus the assessor's visit. Abatement, if needed, is quoted separately.
What should I do if I have vermiculite in the attic?
Leave it alone, keep the attic closed, and have it sampled before any attic work. Health Canada advises against disturbing it or removing it yourself.
Who removes asbestos in Ontario?
Ontario's O. Reg. 278/05 classes contractor work as Type 1, 2 or 3, each with its own procedures and training, and requires advance notice for Type 3 and some Type 2 jobs. The province's waste rules apply to anyone: asbestos waste can leave the site only for a disposal site whose operator has agreed to accept it, in rigid, sealed, impermeable containers that are marked.