3667 Strawberry Hill Street, Suite #107 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
HAZARDS IN OLDER HOMES
Restoring or renovating an older home is rewarding, but it comes with its own set of risks and challenges. Many houses built before modern codes contain hidden materials and conditions that can pose serious health and safety concerns if not identified early.
The goal of this section is to help outline some of the most common hazards we face in older homes and to bring to light the safety considerations that come with handling them. By understanding these risks, homeowners can make better decisions, plan responsibly, and ensure their project is both safe and successful.
Asbestos
Asbestos
One of the most common mistakes we see from new homeowners is the urge to grab a crowbar and start ripping things apart. Please Don't. DIY demolition might feel exciting, but in an older home it can be dangerous. That’s because many homes in Nova Scotia built before the 1981 contain asbestos — a material that is now a known cause of cancer when its fibers are inhaled.
Asbestos was once valued product for being durable, heat-resistant, and affordable. But when disturbed during demolition, sanding, or cutting, asbestos fibers can become airborne and pose serious long-term health risks.
Where Asbestos Might Be Found
Asbestos isn’t just in insulation — it was used in a wide variety of building materials, including:
- Pipe insulation and boiler wrap
- Vermiculite attic insulation
- Vinyl floor tiles, sheet flooring, and adhesives (black mastic)
- Drywall joint compounds, plaster, skim coats, and patch/repair products
- Acoustic “popcorn” ceilings and textured paints
- Cement siding, shingles, soffits, and fascia
- Asphalt roofing shingles and roofing felts
- Bricks, mortar, and cement blocks
- Window caulking, glazing, and sealants
- Gaskets in furnaces, stoves, and appliances
- Backing boards, panels, and sheathing
Even in updated homes, asbestos may still be present in patched walls, skim coats, or repair materials applied over time.
Risks of Ignoring Asbestos
- Health Risks – Long-term exposure can cause lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
- Legal Risks – Renovating without testing violate safety regulations.
- Financial Risks – Discovery mid-renovation can halt projects and add costly abatement delays.
Due Diligence Before You Renovate or Tear Down
If you are considering a major renovation or even a full tear-down, environmental testing is essential due diligence. Testing upfront ensures you know exactly what you’re dealing with before any demolition begins. This allows for proper planning, safer worksites, and fewer costly surprises.
Best Practice
- Plan demolition first — don’t rip and tear.
- Hire a third-party professional to collect and test samples from the areas you’ll renovate.
- Review the lab report before starting demolition or abatement.
- Provide and post a clean air test report after abatement.
- Develop a demolition strategy — often it’s smarter (and more cost-effective) to fully gut an area rather than attempt multiple spot abatements, since most of the cost comes from setting up safe containment.
How We Help
At BG Custom Homes, we treat asbestos seriously because protecting our clients, trades, and team is non-negotiable. Our process integrates:
- Developing a clear demolition and abatement plan
- Coordinating with certified third-party testers
- Strategically planning safe and cost-effective abatement
- Making it our priority to keep our team out of harm’s way while keeping your project safe and on track
With this approach, you don’t just get a builder — you get a partner who ensures your renovation is planned with safety, compliance, and long-term health in mind.
🔗 Learn more about asbestos from Health Canada: