Asbestos Abatement, Testing and Removal
Asbestos is still in many homes, cottages and commercial buildings across Simcoe County and Muskoka built before the 1990s. DKI Simcoe Muskoka samples suspect materials, removes confirmed asbestos under containment following Ontario’s asbestos regulation, and rebuilds afterwards, whether the asbestos turned up during a renovation or after a flood or fire. Call 1-800-228-7739 any time, or our Oro-Medonte office at 705-325-5746.
Where Asbestos Hides in Older Homes and Cottages
Asbestos was mixed into Canadian building materials for most of the 20th century because it resists heat and adds strength. Canada banned its import, manufacture and use in 2018, but it is still in place in a great many older buildings. Common sources include plaster and drywall joint compound, textured and popcorn ceilings, vinyl floor tiles and their adhesive, pipe and boiler insulation, duct wrap, vermiculite attic insulation, and asbestos-cement siding and roofing on post-war houses.
Left intact and undisturbed, most of these materials pose little risk. The danger comes when they are cut, sanded, broken or torn out, which releases fibres that can be inhaled and cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma decades later. That is why we test before we tear anything out.
Suspect asbestos? Don’t sand, drill, scrape or sweep it. Leave it alone and call us to have it sampled first.
Our Asbestos Abatement Process
Asbestos work in Ontario has to follow Ontario Regulation 278/05, which sorts each job into a Type 1, Type 2 or Type 3 operation based on the material, the amount and how it will be disturbed. The type sets the containment, protective equipment and clean-up required, and our written scope tells you which applies before work starts.
You get the lab results, the scope and the schedule in writing, and one project lead from sampling to rebuild.
Inspection and Sampling
We identify suspect materials in the areas to be disturbed and send samples to an accredited lab. You receive the results in writing before any removal is quoted.
Containment and Air Control
Work areas are sealed with poly sheeting, and higher-risk work runs under negative air pressure with HEPA filtration so fibres stay inside the enclosure.
Removal by Trained Workers
Materials are wetted to control dust and removed by trained workers in protective suits and respirators, using methods matched to the type of operation.
Packaging and Disposal
Asbestos waste is sealed in labelled, heavy-duty bags or containers and taken to a disposal site licensed to accept it.
Clean-Up, Clearance and Rebuild
The area is HEPA-vacuumed and wet-wiped, air clearance testing is done where required, and then our reconstruction crew rebuilds what was removed.
Asbestos After a Flood, a Fire or During a Renovation
Water and fire damage in an older building almost always means tearing out drywall, plaster, flooring or insulation, and some of it may contain asbestos. We sample suspect materials as part of the emergency work, so the restoration can continue safely and your adjuster can see why abatement is part of the claim.
Storm-damaged asbestos-cement siding or roofing needs the same care: broken pieces should be wetted and handled as asbestos waste, not swept up or put out with the garbage. If you are planning a renovation in a pre-1990 home or cottage, have the materials you will disturb tested before the work starts. It protects your family and your contractor, and it keeps the project on schedule.
Test first. An asbestos release during demolition can contaminate the rest of the house and cost far more to clean up.
Asbestos Removal Across Simcoe County and Muskoka
We provide asbestos testing and removal for homes, cottages and businesses in Orillia, Barrie, Oro-Medonte, Innisfil, Bradford, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Midland and Penetanguishene, and north through Muskoka to Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville and Parry Sound.
Found mould as well? See our mould removal and remediation service. Call 1-800-228-7739 any time.
DKI - Simcoe Muskoka Offers...
At DKI - Simcoe Muskoka, we know that dealing with property damage is overwhelming—that’s why our crews are ready to respond 24/7, every day of the year. With roots going back to 1961 and IICRC-certified technicians, we bring the knowledge, speed, and care needed to restore your home or business efficiently. From the moment you call, a dedicated Project Manager will guide you through the process, keeping you informed every step of the way. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality results while providing the compassion and support you need to get back on your feet as quickly as possible.
Quick Mobilization
24/7 emergency restoration and board-up services available 365 days a year.
Expertise
Fully trained and certified IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) staff, backed by a company that has been building and restoring since 1961.
Strong Communication
A project Manager assigned to your claim from start to finish, updating you throughout the process.
Quality Assurance
Making sure you are happy with the final result of the work done and standing behind the work we do.
Compassionate Team
We understand how hard the situation is and our team will do what we can to get you back to normal sooner.
Asbestos Questions from Homeowners and Cottage Owners
What people ask us most about asbestos testing, removal and cost.
How do I know if my house has asbestos?
You can’t tell by looking. Only a lab test can confirm it. Houses and cottages built before about 1990 commonly have asbestos in at least some materials, such as plaster, joint compound, floor tiles, textured ceilings, pipe wrap or vermiculite insulation. If you plan to renovate or need repairs after damage, have the materials you will disturb sampled first.
Is vermiculite attic insulation asbestos?
Not always, but much of the vermiculite insulation sold in Canada, often under the Zonolite brand, came from a mine contaminated with asbestos. Health Canada advises assuming vermiculite may contain asbestos: leave it undisturbed, keep the attic sealed off from living spaces, and have it tested and removed by professionals if work will disturb it.
Can I remove asbestos myself in Ontario?
Ontario’s asbestos regulation, O. Reg. 278/05, governs contractors and workers, so it does not directly cover a homeowner working on their own house. The health risk is the same, though, and asbestos waste still has to be packaged and disposed of properly. For anything beyond a very small, intact item, we strongly recommend testing first and having trained workers do the removal.
How much does asbestos removal cost?
It depends on the material, how much there is, where it is and which type of operation the regulation requires. Lifting a small area of floor tile is very different from a full Type 3 abatement of plaster walls or pipe insulation. We quote after sampling, so the price is based on what is actually there.
Does home insurance pay for asbestos removal?
Usually only when removing it is necessary to repair damage from a covered event, such as a burst pipe or a fire. Testing and removal for a planned renovation is normally the owner’s cost. We document why abatement was needed so your adjuster can review it with the rest of the claim.
Do we have to leave the house during asbestos removal?
For small, fully enclosed jobs you can often stay in the rest of the house. Larger Type 3 work, or work near bedrooms, the furnace or shared air returns, usually means staying elsewhere until clearance. We tell you before work starts, and the heating system is shut down or sealed off so fibres cannot travel through the ducts.
Have An Emergency?
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Emergency Line
1-800-228-7739