How Saint John is built
- Before 1961 34%
- 1961–1990 44%
- 1991–2000 9%
- 2001 or later 13%
Where asbestos shows up in Saint John houses
Of Saint John's 19,705 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses and duplexes), 34% were built before 1961 and 78% 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 New Brunswick
In New Brunswick, employers and contractors who disturb asbestos-containing material must follow WorkSafeNB's code of practice for working with asbestos.
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 Saint John
Asbestos and vermiculite testing in Saint John: common questions
Do I need an asbestos test before renovating in Saint John?
If the house was built before 1991 and the work will disturb insulation, flooring, plaster or duct wrap, test first. In New Brunswick, employers and contractors who disturb asbestos-containing material must follow WorkSafeNB's code of practice for working with asbestos.
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.