Asbestos Assessment and Abatement Services

Asbestos Surveys and Material Testing

An asbestos assessment helps identify suspected materials within the planned work area. Where sampling is appropriate, samples should be collected by a qualified professional and analysed by a laboratory accredited for the relevant testing method.

The resulting information helps define the abatement scope, required controls and project sequence. If you already have an asbestos survey, share it with Silverado when discussing your project.

Asbestos Removal and Containment

Asbestos removal is not a one-size-fits-all process. The necessary precautions depend on the material, its condition, the amount involved, the removal method and applicable provincial requirements.

Depending on the assessment, controls may include:

  • Restricted access and designated work areas.
  • Containment and negative-pressure equipment.
  • Appropriate respiratory and personal protective equipment.
  • Decontamination procedures.
  • Air monitoring and post-removal verification where required.
  • Controlled packaging and waste handling.

These requirements should be established before removal begins, rather than assumed from the material type alone.

Pre-Demolition Asbestos Abatement

Asbestos-containing materials affected by demolition need to be addressed as part of the project plan. Assessment findings help determine the removal scope, necessary controls and conditions for moving into the demolition phase.

Coordinating abatement with demolition helps clarify responsibilities, site access, scheduling and handover requirements.

Vermiculite Insulation Assessment and Removal Planning

Some vermiculite insulation may contain asbestos. If you discover suspected vermiculite in an attic or another building space, avoid disturbing it, sweeping it or using a household vacuum.

A qualified professional should assess the material and explain any sampling limitations. A negative sample result should not be treated as a blanket guarantee that all insulation in the area is safe to disturb.

Contact Silverado to discuss assessment and removal requirements for your project.

What to Expect Before Work Begins

1. Discuss the Project

Provide the property location, planned renovation or demolition work, and any available surveys or testing reports. This helps identify the information needed to develop the scope.

2. Establish the Assessment Requirements

Existing reports are reviewed, and further assessment or sampling needs are identified. The assessment should cover the materials and areas affected by the planned work.

3. Plan the Abatement

The project scope establishes the necessary work procedures, site controls, responsibilities, waste arrangements and applicable notification requirements.

4. Complete Removal and Handover

Abatement is followed by the verification and documentation required for the project. The transition to demolition or renovation should occur only when the relevant handover requirements have been met.

Asbestos Requirements Across Our Service Areas

Silverado's service areas span Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Asbestos requirements differ between these provinces and may also depend on the work involved.

Project planning needs to account for applicable requirements concerning worker training, exposure controls, notifications, waste handling and documentation.

Risk classifications and terms such as “Type 1,” “Type 2” and “Type 3” are not used uniformly across all jurisdictions. The appropriate controls should be based on the project assessment and the requirements that apply at the site.

Why Work With Silverado?

Silverado Demolition Operations Inc. has worked in demolition, excavation and construction since 1978.

For projects involving asbestos, coordinating the abatement requirements with the wider demolition plan can help clients manage:

  • Project sequencing: Establish what must happen before demolition begins.
  • Site coordination: Plan access, work areas and contractor responsibilities.
  • Scope clarity: Understand how assessment findings affect the proposed work.
  • Handover requirements: Identify the verification and records needed for the next stage.

Whether you are preparing a building for renovation or planning a larger demolition project, start by discussing the property and available assessment information with Silverado.

Asbestos Abatement FAQs

Suspected asbestos-containing materials should be identified before demolition begins. Materials affected by the work generally need appropriate management or removal under applicable requirements. The assessment determines the scope, controls and documentation needed for the project.

Cost depends on the material, quantity, condition, accessibility and removal method. Containment, monitoring, waste disposal and site conditions can also affect the estimate. A project-specific scope is needed to provide a meaningful price.

The timeline depends on the assessment findings, preparation, removal scope and any required notifications or verification. A limited removal project and a full-building abatement can have very different schedules.

Contact Silverado to discuss coordinating both stages of your project. Assessment findings and abatement requirements help establish when demolition can begin and what needs to happen before handover.