Licensed Asbestos Removal and Abatement in Burnaby, BC

Where asbestos is commonly found in Burnaby homes

Burnaby's pre-1990 housing stock contains asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a predictable set of locations. The most common include: vermiculite attic insulation (particularly in homes built before 1990 where Zonolite-brand vermiculite from Libby, Montana was used), textured ceiling coatings known as "popcorn ceilings" or acoustic spray, vinyl floor tiles and the black mastic adhesive beneath them, drywall joint compound applied before 1980, pipe and duct insulation (pipe lagging), and exterior building materials including some siding and roofing products. Identifying which materials in your specific home contain asbestos requires lab-confirmed testing — visual identification alone is not reliable.

Why WorkSafeBC regulations require licensed abatement

BC's Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (Part 6) requires that all asbestos work in BC be done by workers trained to a minimum of the Asbestos Abatement Worker level, and that any project disturbing more than 1 square foot (0.1 m²) of Type 2 or Type 3 friable asbestos follow specific abatement procedures. For demolition and renovation projects on pre-1990 buildings, a hazardous materials survey (HMS) is required before any work begins. This applies to both residential and commercial properties. Homeowners who hire unlicensed contractors to renovate without proper asbestos abatement face WorkSafeBC enforcement, and the contamination that results from improper work can make a property far more expensive to remediate later.

Types of asbestos abatement — Type 1, 2, and 3

WorkSafeBC classifies asbestos work into three types based on risk. Type 1 covers small-scale work involving non-friable materials — limited dust generation. Type 2 covers medium-risk work including removal of textured coatings, floor tiles, and drywall compound. Type 3 is the highest-risk category, covering friable asbestos removal — materials that crumble easily and release fibres, like pipe insulation, spray-applied fireproofing, and damaged vermiculite. Each type has specific requirements for containment, respiratory protection, and disposal. We handle all three types and will tell you exactly which classification your project falls under.

Disposal of asbestos-containing materials in Metro Vancouver

Asbestos waste must be double-bagged in sealed, labelled polyethylene bags and disposed of at a Metro Vancouver licensed facility that accepts asbestos waste. Standard landfills and transfer stations do not accept it. We handle all disposal logistics — bagging, labelling, transport, and facility drop-off — with documentation confirming compliant disposal. That documentation matters for your project records and any future property transactions.

Asbestos in older Burnaby strata buildings

Strata buildings in Burnaby constructed before 1990 frequently contain asbestos in common areas and individual suites. Renovation work in a strata — suite renovations, pipe replacement, elevator shaft work, parkade repairs — all potentially involves asbestos-containing materials. Strata councils and property managers need to ensure any contractor working in the building has addressed asbestos requirements before work begins. We work with strata corporations directly, providing the documentation their property managers and insurers require.