How Québec City is built
- Before 1961 20%
- 1961–1990 50%
- 1991–2000 11%
- 2001 or later 19%
Where asbestos shows up in Québec City houses
Of Québec City's 121,435 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses and duplexes), 20% were built before 1961 and 70% 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 Quebec
In Quebec, CNESST rules require contractors to check for asbestos before any work that could release dust, and the province tells homeowners to have suspect materials checked by a qualified contractor or an IRSST-recognized lab and never to do asbestos work themselves. Quebec treats material as asbestos-containing from 0.1% asbestos, a stricter line than most provinces.
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 or recognized by the IRSST in Quebec.
Our asbestos and vermiculite guide · Attic inspections in Québec City
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 Quebec: Québec.ca says to hire a contractor holding the right RBQ licence (subcategory 2.7, 7, 1.2 or 1.3), to get a written commitment that the work will follow the Construction Safety Code, and never to do asbestos work yourself. Quebec has no official accreditation or certification program for asbestos professionals.
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.
Asbestos and vermiculite testing in Québec City: common questions
Do I need an asbestos test before renovating in Québec City?
If the house was built before 1991 and the work will disturb insulation, flooring, plaster or duct wrap, test first. In Quebec, CNESST rules require contractors to check for asbestos before any work that could release dust, and the province tells homeowners to have suspect materials checked by a qualified contractor or an IRSST-recognized lab and never to do asbestos work themselves. Quebec treats material as asbestos-containing from 0.1% asbestos, a stricter line than most provinces.
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 Quebec?
Québec.ca says to hire a contractor holding the right RBQ licence (subcategory 2.7, 7, 1.2 or 1.3), to get a written commitment that the work will follow the Construction Safety Code, and never to do asbestos work yourself. Quebec has no official accreditation or certification program for asbestos professionals.