When I first came to vancouver over 2o years ago, I remember my neighbor tearing down an old garage near Burnaby Lake.

He thought it was just another weekend project, but halfway through, a contractor passing by warned him: “That insulation might have asbestos.” He had no idea what asbestos even was. By the end of the week, he had to bring in a professional team because what looked like harmless dust was actually dangerous fibers that could cause lifelong health problems.

Stories like that aren’t rare in Vancouver. Across the city, many homes and buildings built before the early 1990s still hide asbestos in their walls, floors, ceilings, and heating systems.

In Mount Pleasant, old character homes often contain asbestos in plaster and flooring. Over in Kitsilano, those cozy bungalows with 1950s renovations often have asbestos pipe wrap or insulation.

Even commercial spaces near Granville Street or Gastown’s historic brick buildings sometimes have asbestos in ceiling tiles or boiler rooms.

Vancouver’s mix of architecture tells the story: post-war houses in East Van, high-rises from the 1970s in the West End, and industrial buildings in False Creek Flats — all of them can contain hidden asbestos.

We often get calls from families starting renovations after visiting the Vancouver Home + Garden Show at BC Place, or from property managers in Burnaby and Richmond who are upgrading units for new tenants.

What they all have in common is the same concern: they want their space to be safe before hammers swing and dust fills the air.

Our team at Vancouver Asbestos Removal works across the Lower Mainland — from North Shore homes tucked near the Capilano River, to Surrey townhouses, to Downtown Vancouver’s older condos.

Whether you’re planning a renovation after a summer at Kits Beach, or upgrading your space near Commercial Drive, we help keep your family and community safe by removing asbestos the right way.