Renovating an older home can be exciting. Whether you're updating a kitchen, removing flooring, opening up a wall, or taking on a larger renovation, older homes can sometimes come with unexpected surprises.

One of the most important things to consider before starting work is whether the building contains hazardous materials. Many materials that were commonly used decades ago may contain asbestos, lead, mould, or other substances that can become a concern when they are disturbed.

Here are five things every homeowner should know before renovating an older home.

1. Older Doesn't Necessarily Mean Unsafe, But It Does Mean You Should Investigate

Many materials used in older homes were common and considered perfectly normal when the home was built. However, some of these materials may contain asbestos or other hazardous substances that could pose a health and safety concern if they are disturbed.

Asbestos was widely used in building products because of its durability and resistance to heat and fire. It may be found in materials such as flooring, drywall and joint compound, insulation, pipe insulation, textured ceilings, roofing materials, and other building products.

The important thing to remember is that you cannot reliably identify asbestos simply by looking at a material. Testing may be necessary to determine whether a material contains asbestos before beginning renovation work that could disturb it and potentially release asbestos fibres into the air.

2. Renovation Can Disturb Materials That Were Previously Undisturbed

Materials that are intact and undisturbed may present a different risk than materials that are being cut, drilled, sanded, removed, or demolished.

Even a relatively small renovation can disturb materials that were previously left undisturbed and potentially release asbestos fibres into the air.

For example, removing old flooring could disturb asbestos-containing flooring or materials underneath it. Opening a wall could disturb insulation, drywall, joint compound, or other materials that were previously undisturbed.

This is why it is important to consider hazardous materials BEFORE renovation work begins, rather than after something has already been damaged or removed. Planning ahead can help prevent unnecessary contamination, delays, and potential exposure.

3. Don't Assume a Small Renovation Is a Safe Renovation

It can be tempting to think, "It's just a small renovation, so it's probably safe." Unfortunately, the size of the project does not necessarily determine whether hazardous materials could be present or disturbed.

Before beginning work, consider which materials will be disturbed and whether they should be assessed or tested. This may include materials such as drywall, flooring, insulation, textured ceilings, or other building materials.

Taking a little extra time before starting can help prevent unexpected delays, additional costs, and potential exposure. When it comes to your health and your home, a little planning can go a long way.

4. Be Prepared If You Find Suspected Asbestos

If you discover a material that you suspect may contain asbestos, stop work and avoid disturbing it.

Do not cut, sand, drill, remove, or otherwise disturb the material until it has been properly assessed.

A qualified asbestos professional can assess the material and, where appropriate, arrange for samples to be collected and analyzed by a laboratory. If asbestos is confirmed, the appropriate procedures for managing or removing the material can then be determined.

It is much easier to manage asbestos safely when it is identified before renovation work begins. WorkSafeBC recommends that suspected asbestos be assessed before renovation or demolition work proceeds.

5. Plan for Hazardous Materials Before You Start Renovating

One of the best ways to avoid surprises is to plan for the "what if" situations before renovation begins.

If you are renovating an older home, consider having potentially hazardous materials assessed before demolition or construction starts. Depending on the age and history of the property, this may include asbestos, lead, mould, or other hazardous materials.

Knowing what you're dealing with ahead of time allows you to plan the work properly, hire the appropriate professionals, and avoid unexpected interruptions once your renovation is underway.

In B.C., WorkSafeBC requires hazardous materials that may be disturbed during renovation or demolition to be identified before the work begins.

Conclusion

The best time to think about hazardous materials is before you start the work.

If you're unsure whether a material in your home could contain asbestos or another hazardous substance, don't guess or disturb it. Have it properly assessed before beginning renovation work.

At Canadian Haz-Mat Environmental Ltd., we help homeowners, contractors, and property owners identify and manage hazardous materials so renovation projects can move forward safely and responsibly.

When it comes to older homes, a little planning before the work begins can help protect your home, your renovation project, and the health and safety of everyone involved.