What You Need to Know Before You Demolish Your Property

“I was sure the demolition would not have started until the end of the month,” I heard once from a customer who was astonished to see me tear apart a third layer of flooring in the kitchen. “I did not know that it was necessary to go through all layers,” she added.

This customer was not the first in my ten-year journey with asbestos to be surprised that a demolition inspection can be quite destructive by nature. Regulations require that the inspector identifies all the asbestos-contaminated materials affected by the demolition, including materials that are not immediately visible, such as multiple hidden layers of old flooring.

Demolition asbestos inspections require a certain level of physical strength and a set of simple but high-quality tools. In my car’s trunk, you’d find hammers, including a sledgehammer, chisels, hand saws, and plenty of gloves.

You should have seen the face of one customer who had scheduled a partial demolition inspection but forgot to mention that there were still tenants on the property. As I pulled up and started unloading my equipment, he quietly asked if all those tools were really necessary—especially since one of the tenants, a nurse, had just gone to sleep after a 24-hour shift. There was nothing I could do except reschedule the inspection for after the tenants had left.

What Exactly is an Asbestos Demolition Inspection, and How Does it Differ from Other Asbestos Inspections?

When it comes to anything related to asbestos, the answers can be found in the Air Quality Control Commission’s Regulation 8, which sets the standards for asbestos treatment in the state of Colorado.

Regulation No. 8 defines demolition as the wrecking or removal of any load-supporting structural member of a facility, handling of debris related to the demolition, intentional burning of a facility, or relocation of a facility from a permanent foundation. By definition, any other activity is classified as renovation. The regulation also stipulates that inspections conducted prior to renovation may focus on the suspect ACM (Asbestos-Containing Material) affected by the renovation, whereas inspections conducted prior to demolition must comprehensively identify all asbestos-containing materials in and on the facility or its affected components.

In other words:

• Renovation inspections selectively test materials that may be affected
• Demolition inspections require testing of all materials in the area impacted by the demolition

As I mentioned earlier, certified asbestos inspectors must identify any hidden materials. In older houses, original materials such as flooring or wall coverings are often concealed beneath newer layers to save time and money. Elevated floor levels in kitchens often indicate multiple layers of vinyl flooring, while attics commonly contain fiberglass batts placed over blown-in insulation. While fiberglass itself does not contain asbestos, blown-in insulation frequently does.

The Crucial Distinction: Why Partial and Full Demolition Matter in Asbestos Inspections and Permitting

We already understand the difference between renovation and demolition and its impact on asbestos inspections. Now, let’s explore other important implications of this distinction.

Although the regulations introduce one single definition of demolition, over the years, asbestos consulting firms have adopted the terms partial and full demolition. While legally, there is no distinction between the two, in practice, the terms serve to describe what homeowners perceive as two different activities. Partial demolition refers to the removal or wrecking of one or more structural members, whereas full demolition applies when all structural members are removed or destroyed.

While using this distinction can be helpful in defining the scope of work, it is essential to remember that legal requirements remain unchanged. Failing to comply with demolition regulations in projects treated as large-scale renovations rather than demolitions can lead to frustration, serious delays, and, in many cases, legal repercussions such as administrative fines.

One of the most critical mistakes is conducting a renovation inspection instead of the required demolition inspection. This naturally leads to another serious misstep—failing to obtain a demolition permit from the state.

The Risks of Unpermitted Demolition Work

No reputable construction contractor will proceed with a project involving the removal of a load-bearing structural member without ensuring that the necessary state-issued demolition permit is in place. However, it is possible to find less reputable contractors willing to take on such work without the proper permits. Doing so is a violation of the law and can result in:

• Fines
• Stop-work orders
• Regulatory complications
• Issues with insurance claims
• Difficulties with future property transactions

In addition, proceeding with demolition work without testing all materials—including hidden ones—can lead to an asbestos spill if untested materials contain asbestos. This is not only a legal violation but also a serious health risk.

Why Asbestos Spills Are Dangerous

Asbestos itself is not dangerous as long as it remains contained within the material it was used for. However, when asbestos fibers are released, they linger in the environment, contaminating the air and posing a long-term health hazard to everyone in the space.

Conclusion

Before you attempt any project that includes removing any of the load-bearing structural members, there’s more to consider than just tearing and wrecking old stuff and putting up new. There are significant differences between such a project and works that are referred to as renovation. Partial and full demolitions come with serious legal, financial, and health consequences.

Cutting corners on asbestos inspections or skipping proper abatement can lead to fines, delays, and long-term health risks. Whether you’re knocking down a single wall or bringing down an entire structure, following the rules, working with professionals, and ensuring proper testing and permits will protect:

• Your property
• Your finances
• The people around you

For more details, check Air Quality Control Commission’s Regulation 8.