How St. John's is built
- Before 1961 22%
- 1961–1990 42%
- 1991–2000 11%
- 2001 or later 26%
Where asbestos shows up in St. John's houses
Of St. John's's 42,120 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses and duplexes), 22% were built before 1961 and 64% 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 Newfoundland and Labrador
In Newfoundland and Labrador, only certified asbestos abatement contractors may remove asbestos, and removal needs written notice to the OHS Division and a disposal permit.
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 St. John's
Asbestos and vermiculite testing in St. John's: common questions
Do I need an asbestos test before renovating in St. John's?
If the house was built before 1991 and the work will disturb insulation, flooring, plaster or duct wrap, test first. In Newfoundland and Labrador, only certified asbestos abatement contractors may remove asbestos, and removal needs written notice to the OHS Division and a disposal permit.
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.