Toronto’s housing stock is full of character: Victorian row houses in Cabbagetown, post-war bungalows in Etobicoke and Scarborough, and 1960s and 1970s split-levels across the inner suburbs. Many of these homes were built when asbestos was common in building materials. If you are buying, renovating or simply maintaining an older home, here is what you need to know.
Asbestos was used for decades in insulation, flooring, ceilings and siding. Canada banned new asbestos products only at the end of 2018, and most asbestos use in housing had declined by the late 1980s. Homes built before 1990 should be treated as possibly containing asbestos until tested.
| Area of the home | Possible asbestos materials |
|---|---|
| Attic | Vermiculite insulation (grey-brown, pebble-like) |
| Basement | Pipe and boiler wrap, duct tape and old furnace insulation |
| Floors | 9-inch vinyl tiles and black mastic adhesive |
| Ceilings and walls | Stipple or popcorn ceilings, plaster, joint compound |
| Exterior | Cement siding, soffits and some roofing |
Ask the seller about known asbestos and past removals, and consider a home inspection that notes suspected materials. Inspectors usually cannot confirm asbestos without lab testing, so budget for testing if you plan major renovations.
Asbestos that is intact and undisturbed is generally lower risk. The danger comes from releasing fibres during renovation or damage. With testing and qualified professionals, you can safely update an older home.
Related: understanding asbestos exposure in Canada and why backwater valves matter for GTA homeowners.
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