FAQ
General
Cash, cheque and Interac e-Transfer. We also accept payments by Visa or Mastercard, except for certain soil tests.
We can usually do most tests within 1 to 3 business days after booking. Sometimes we manage to come the same day. Please see the section for the concerned test for more details as certain soil tests require longer turnaround times.
At the latest when our team is on site to collect the samples, except for certain soil tests for which a deposit is payable in advance.
Yes. All of our laboratory analysis are performed by scientists who are members of their respective professional order and follow applicable protocols and methods.
Our business hours are Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Yes, all of them. Only our client (the person who signed and paid for the test) can access the results and report. If you want to authorize another person to access your file as a real estate broker or a family member, you must indicate that to us.
No. At the later, we will contact you the business day before the test to confirm an appointment time.
We do not perform remediation work. However, we can refer you to contractors if necessary depending on the test.
Pyrite Testing
Pyrite testing consists in taking a sample of backfill (crushed stone) from under the concrete slabs (floor) to determine whether there is a potential for swelling that could result in damage to the building. In applicable cases, we also check whether the concrete slab is affected by sulfation and whether the natural soil on which the building was constructed has a potential for pyrite-related swelling.
Our technicians will be on site for around 45 minutes for 1 sample and 1h30 for 2 samples.
In most cases, no. It may be worthwhile to have another test done in specific cases. Please call us if necessary.
Yes! Pyrite testing concerns all properties—including those built after 1999—as the National Building Code does not require builders to use non-swelling backfill (also referred to as “DB certified backfill”). For residential buildings constructed after January 1, 2016.
It isn’t noisier than a powerful vacuum cleaner.
We will keep your report for 25 years. The Petrographic Swelling Potential Indicator (PSPI) will not change over time, but it is possible that damages may appear or evolve.
The concrete slab is immediately repaired using cement. However, subfloors will not be repaired if we must drill into them.
A Petrographic Swelling Potential Indicator (PSPI) score of 10 or less indicates that no swelling of backfill is expected, while a PSPI score of 11 or more indicates a possibility of varying pyrite-related damages if there is favorable condition.
Yes a little bit if wood flooring is drilled. The concrete drill is electric and produces a very small amount of dust because we use water. We clean the site after our passage.
If the concrete slab is not accessible, we can drill in less visible locations such as inside a wardrobe, under a stove, etc.
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Asbestos Materials Testing
Because it offers many attractive properties (incombustible, good thermal/electrical/acoustic insulator, etc.), asbestos was used from the early 1900 in construction and used extensively from around 1930 to 1980.
But you need to keep in mind that all buildings constructed or renovated before 1999 are more likely to contain asbestos materials.
There is no consensus on a specific date, in part because acceptable standards for asbestos vary by province, state, and country.
It is only since December 30, 2018, that asbestos is formally banned in Canada. But for 3 specifics materials asbestos was banned before like :
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In January 1980 for drywall and join compounded
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In February 1990 for insulating coat
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In May 1999 for lagger
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There is no restricted area. All the buildings in Québec are affected.
The evaluation consists in determining whether asbestos fibres are present in the samples submitted for analysis.
It takes about 45 minutes for 3 samples and about 1h30 for 9 samples.
Yes if you stay around the technician during the sampling. Please keep away and follow his instructions.
Less than 0.1% as per the art 69.2 (s-2.1, r. 13 - Regulation respecting occupational health and safety).
Asbestos is a health hazard when fibres detach from materials (become airborne). If the fibres are inhaled, they enter the respiratory system and can cause serious health issues after several years (asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, etc.).
Materials containing asbestos could have health consequences if work (maintenance, repair, renovation, demolition, etc.) or their condition is likely to result in dust being produced by these materials through direct or indirect action. Health Canada notes on its website that materials containing asbestos do not pose a significant health risk if they are in good condition and no work is planned.
The number of samples to be analyzed to confirm the absence of asbestos in a material likely to contain it depends on the type of material concerned.
Thus, for on-site mixed materials such as walls made of plaster/cement, joint compound, cement parging or mortar, the CNESST requires 9 mixed samples from each homogeneous sampling area (also called zones presenting similarities of construction) in order to conclude that such area is free of asbestos and that work likely to generate dust does not have to be carried out under asbestos removal conditions.
In the case of manufactured materials such as resilient floorings, acoustic tiles (suspended ceiling) or roof shingles, the CNESST requires only 1 sample of each model and each brand.
Different quantities of samples are required for other materials such as lagging (also called heat insulation on pipes and equipment). Please contact us as needed.
For further details, please consult the following free online guide:
(available in French only).
No, there is no law requiring the removal of such materials if they are in good condition and if you are not planning to do renovation work.
We do not recommend taking samples yourself. However, if you decide to do so, please contact us for the recommended method and precautions.
Vermiculite Testing
Vermiculite insulation (marketed from 1920 to 1990 mainly under the Zonolite brand), which was used primarily in attics, could contain asbestos fibres that are hazardous to health. Click here for further details about vermiculite testing.
Around 30-45 minutes.
Yes, depending where the vermiculite is located. Follow the technician's instructions.
Health Canada notes that there is no significant health risk if vermiculite containing asbestos is present in an attic that is not used and isolated from the inhabited part of the house or sealed behind walls or under the floor. It is important to make sure that asbestos fibres do not become airborne by sealing off any gaps, cracks, or holes.
Under certain conditions, asbestos fibres could cause serious lung diseases and cancer. Health Canada advises that the best way to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure is to avoid disturbing the vermiculite insulation in any way. Removing the insulation by yourself is not recommended.
There is no legal obligation in Québec to remove asbestos containing material like vermiculite insulation except if it is planned to do renovation work (work that emits dust).
But in real estate transactions, SCHL or lender may require it. Ask them before performing the test.
Between 1 and 2 cups (250 ml to 500 ml, or around half a Ziploc type sandwich bag).
We do not recommend taking samples yourself. However, if you decide to do so, please contact us for the recommended method and precautions.
Notwithstanding Health Canada’s opinion that vermiculite containing asbestos does not pose a significant health hazard, experience has shown us that there is a direct negative impact on property value. Certain buyers:
-Do not want to be faced with this problem when they later have to sell;
-Are concerned about possible risks to their health;
-Plan to carry out renovations that would disturb the insulation in question.
All types of buildings (commercial and residential) built or renovated from around 1920 to 1995.
Unfortunately, there is no reliable and accurate data available on this subject. Several hundred thousand buildings in Canada and the United States are insulated with vermiculite.
We therefore draw your attention to two important points:
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As the amount of asbestos in vermiculite is very low (generally between 0.1% and 5%) and is distributed unevenly in attics, a single sample that tests negative is not sufficient as it could be a false negative result;
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Three samples placed in the same bag will have less scientific value because any asbestos contained in the final sample will be diluted. This could produce a false negative result too;
Following EPA studies, general practices followed in Quebec and our laboratory's methodology, our sampling procedure ensures a reliable and credible result.
For example, we carry out checks at 9 or 10 locations in the attic and take three separate samples to guarantee a negative result when the 3 samples are analyzed without asbestos.
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All of Quebec, Canada and the United States are affected. Multitest can analyze vermiculite samples from all these regions. However, we apply the standards in effect in Quebec.
We do not perform this type of work. However, we can refer you to contractors if necessary.
But in general, remediation costs around $12/ft² (or around $12,000 to $15,000 depending on surface area, type of construction, attic height, etc.), including removal of contaminated insulation, air testing to confirm the successful completion of the work, and re-insulation.
Registers for asbestos
Yes. As of June 6, 2013, for all buildings where there are workers and built before 1999, a register must be established whenever there is the presence of flocking, lagging, materials tested for asbestos, or work on materials likely to contain asbestos (MLCA).
For further details, please consult the following free online guide:
(available in French only).
The obligation to carry out an asbestos register can be imposed on the owner of the building as well as on an employer renting premises. We advise you to check the clauses of your lease agreement. We remind you that, as a general rule, the employer must guarantee a safe workspace for his employees.
The primary purpose of an asbestos safety management record (asbestos register) is to identify the location and condition of “at risk” (see next question for an explanation of this expression) flockings and heat insulating materials in a building where there are workers.
In addition, as soon as other materials likely to contain asbestos (MLCAs) are analyzed (whether or not they contain asbestos) or work is performed on MLCAs, this information must be included in an existing register or, if there is not yet one, in a register to be created.
The asbestos register makes it possible to identify the sections of the building for which special precautions must be taken for workers in order to limit their exposure to asbestos dust (in the event of work in particular, but also for the maintenance and upkeep of materials in place).
The asbestos register must be updated every two years.
For further details, please consult the following free online guide:
(available in French only).
Someone who will know what to look for and how to identify all the required MLCAs. This can be a trained employee or manager or a specialized firm such as Multitest that can also advise you if testing is required.
It is a flocking or lagging that is not entirely enclosed in a permanent and fiber-tight structure and that access to the flocking or lagging is only possible by a destructive operation of the structure. For example, ducts with lagging located above a suspended ceiling (acoustic tiles) would not be enclosed in such a permanent structure.
According to the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety (section 69.1), it is a mixture of friable materials applied by spraying to cover a surface. Primarily, it is a material sprayed on the inside of walls, roofs, and foundations for thermal insulation purposes.
According to the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety (section 69.1), it is an insulating material that covers a facility or equipment to prevent heat loss. Primarily, it is a material installed over ducts or equipment for thermal insulation purposes. Insulation is usually made of thick cardboard (looks like a thick paper towel), corrugated cardboard, or fabric-covered cement paste (looking like a cast for a broken arm).
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For flockings: All buildings built before February 15, 1990, where there are workers.
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For heat insulating materials: All buildings built before May 20, 1999, where there are workers.
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Other materials likely to contain asbestos (MLCAs): As soon as other types of MLCAs have been tested for asbestos or are affected by dust-emitting work, for any building constructed before December 30, 2018 (date on which asbestos was formally banned in Canada).
This information must be recorded in an asbestos safety management register.
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Asbestos Air Testing
The asbestos air tests legally required by the Safety Code for the construction industry (the Code) are the daily testing to monitor airborne fibre concentration during work (Section 3.2.3.16, paragraph 4 of the Code) and the final 4-hour test (also taken in the work area) to allow dismantling of the airtight enclosure (Section 3.2.3.16, paragraph 12 of the Code) of a high-risk work area involving asbestos materials.
Not really. We will contact you the day before the test to confirm the appointment time. For example, if it is an urgent final 4-hour test requiring a same-day result, we will need to be on site around 7:00 a.m., since our laboratory must receive the samples before 12:00 p.m.
Approximately 4h30 for a final test and approximately 1h15 for a one-sample daily testing.
No, an asbestos air test is good either for a specific area where there has been work with an airtight enclosure or for an open space floor of about 1,000 square feet.
This question arises mainly for the final air test.
Failure to comply with the applicable standard can occur in two cases:
The first is “filter overloaded.” This means that the laboratory is not able to perform the fiber count because of so many particles in the sample. The solution is to redo a fine cleaning (also called HEPA cleaning) of the area and perform a final air test once more.
The second is a positive result, i.e., above the acceptable standard (therefore 0.01 fibres/cm³ or more). Two solutions are then possible: (1) redo a fine HEPA cleaning of the premises and perform a final air test once more; or (2) do a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis on the sample we have already taken to verify if this positive result is due to a concentration of airborne breathable asbestos fibres exceeding the standard or to other types of fibres (in the latter case, it is then considered non-problematic). If TEM results show that the positive result from the first step is due to asbestos fibres, then a HEPA cleaning of the premises should be done again and the final test performed another time.
In principle, no.
The right thing to do, if there are still walls or ceilings made of the same materials as those demolished, is to test these materials since they may not contain asbestos. If the test of these materials was negative (no asbestos fibres detected), this would be good news and the process would stop there.
However, several weeks, months, or years after the work was done, if no asbestos air test has been performed when it should have been, a final air test is the only test we can offer to give you some comfort that the total fibres concentration is within the applicable standard for airborne breathable asbestos fibres in the air. It is important to know that if the area where work was cleaned “regularly,” the test result will meet the standard in most cases.
No, since the asbestos air test is not designed for this purpose and will not tell if this material contains asbestos or not.
The right thing to do would be to test the material since it may not contain asbestos.
Although lagging in good condition can legally remain in place, we believe that it presents a health risk since the air inside the building circulates near a material that is likely to emit asbestos fibres at some point as it ages. We recommend that you consult an asbestos removal professional to have it safely insulated.
In principle, no.
If the vermiculite did contain asbestos, or if it is no longer possible to test for it (in which case it should be assumed that it did contain some), a final air test is the only one we can offer to give you some comfort that the total fibres concentration respects the applicable standard for airborne breathable asbestos fibres.
It is important to know that: (1) since the attic has been re-insulated and there are more many fibres circulating in the air, we will not test in the attic, but rather in a room in the living area below where the access hatch is located; and (2) if the area where we test is “regularly” cleaned, the test result will meet the standard in most cases.
Environmental Testing
It is important to identify your needs. First of all, you need to know what kind of soil test, we can help you to find out what you need. Do not hesitate to contact us.
Unfortunately, no. We need to know what kind of risks there are on a property and where they are before sampling. So a phase I is recommended first of all.
Only in cases where the law applies. There is a specific list of activities, such as gas stations, heavy vehicle repair shops, machining workshops, and sawmills, that require a different process. Here are the two possible scenarios:
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The activity covered by the law took place before 2003, and the current activities are changing (change of use).
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The activity covered by the law is discontinued after 2003 (cessation of activity).
In these cases, property owners must conduct the following studies and submit them to the Ministry:
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Complete Phase I Assessment
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Phase II Assessment and Hydrogeological Study
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Certification of all studies by an expert
If contamination is found, a notice must be registered in the land registry, and a rehabilitation plan must be submitted to the Ministry for approval before any decontamination work can begin.
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It will depend on the identified risks and their location. The cost is determined case by case.
No. However, you will have to disclose it to any potential buyer and to the City. Some exceptions apply for specific cases..
Underground heating oil tanks contaminate soil more often than one might think, as they can be pierced by rust within 15 to 25 years. The value of the property could be affected and the interest from potential buyers may be reduced.
Apart from a leak from the tank, a spill could result from an above-ground tank due to improper filling or a supply line fracture below the concrete slab. This could be a costly fix if heating oil spreads under the foundation or onto a neighbouring property.
In many cases, a tank may have been removed from the property without a proper soil analysis to confirm the absence of contamination.
Unfortunately, a soil characterization test will eventually be required by a lender or potential buyer. Therefore, it is important to have a soil characterization done, ideally when the removal occurs. It will be a report focused on this risk only.
Geotechnical Studies
In certain cases, yes.
It is highly recommended to do it in every new construction. It becomes an obligation if the City asks it to deliver a permit like in the presence of clay soils, in natural risk zones (waterfront or a mountainside), in areas where significant backfill activity has occurred in the past. Ask the City before doing the research for this kind of test.
Garantie construction résidentielle (GCR) requires a geotechnical study for certain buildings, notably divided condominiums of more than 5 units. For more details, refer to the Regulation respecting the guarantee plan for new residential buildings ( B-1.1, r. 8, chapter IV. section I. art 87).
The equipment chosen depends on several factors (type of test, type of building, regional soil types, etc.). For example, for soil bearing capacity, when possible, we use an excavator to minimize the cost of the study; however, some files require much more expensive drilling machinery (geotechnical drill rig).
Yes, in the case of a soil bearing capacity study carried out with a geotechnical drill rig, it will be measured with a water well(s) installed in any borehole done. Remember that the groundwater level varies during the year (mainly seasonally) and can therefore change.
It is used primarily by the designers of the proposed building (architects, structural engineers, civil engineers, and builders); therefore, it is essential to ensure that a copy of the geotechnical study is forwarded to them as soon as possible, as the results can have a significant impact on aspects such as site preparation, type of foundation, or location of a proposed building.
In the case of an existing building with structural issues, this study is used by the expert conducting the investigation to verify the source of damages and put recommendation.
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Preparation of the site according to the construction project
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The sort of the foundation: types of footings, raft foundation (slab serving as foundation), piles, etc.
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Building drainage and identify iron ochre problem
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Temporary support structures
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The stability of a slope on the property (risk of destabilization), etc.
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Iron Ochre Testing
There is two kind of test:
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Water sample from the sump pump : consists of analyzing the presence of iron bacteria, the iron concentration and pH to verify if there is a risk of clogging the French drain.
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Soil sample underneath the concrete slab or the bottom of the french drain: consists to verify the presence of the bacteria, only. No potential of clogging is determined.
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Approximately 30 minutes for a water sample and 60 minutes for a soil sample.
This confirms that there is a clogging potential. The important thing is to regularly check that the French drain is functional and in good condition by means of a camera examination (approximately $500 if accessible without excavation). If there is a clog, a pressure cleaning (with or without gas) will be necessary (approximately $500 if there are cleaning chimneys). We do not offer inspection and cleaning services, but can refer you to contractors if necessary.
There is no standard to determine it. But the more clogging potential is higher, the more often you may clean/verify the French drain. The time between cleanings can vary from approximately 6 months to every 3 years.
Please contact us for the recommended method and precautions.
We do not perform this type of work. However, we can refer you to contractors if necessary.
Mold Air Testing
Approximately 2 hours minimum for a complete expertise.
According to Health Canada, excessive humidity and mold may aggravate the following conditions:
-Eye, nose, and throat irritation;
-Coughing and phlegm;
-Wheezing and shortness of breath;
-Asthma symptoms;
-Allergic reactions.
Reactions to mold depend on the degree of exposure and people’s general health. Certain people are more vulnerable than others. Consult a doctor if you have a doubt.
We do not perform this type of work. However, we can refer you to contractors if necessary.
UFFI Testing
See photo below. It looks like yellow insulating foam or shaving foam with a pale yellow color. Unlike urethane’s styrofoam-like texture, UFFI, which is an insulation that does not age very well (drying out), normally breaks down into chunks or even a fine powder when handled.
The best known visual clue is the presence of finishing points at more or less regular intervals in the mortar joints of exterior brick walls (see photo below). These finishing points seal the holes where the UFFI was injected to insulate the space between the exterior cladding (usually the brick walls) and the interior walls of the building.
Also, there may have been references to the house being insulated with UFFI in previous deeds of sale or sellers’ declarations.
It is recommended to take two to three air samples in a residential building in order to have them analyzed. The goal is to have a certain representativeness of the situation prevailing in the whole building, because if only one test is made, its result could be biased by a formaldehyde emanation not coming from the UFFI.
It is important to know that this gas is commonly found in the indoor air of buildings. It can be emitted from building materials or furniture, particularly those made from particleboard products containing urea formaldehyde adhesives. It can also be emitted from other sources such as tobacco smoke, potpourri, exhaust, fireplaces and wood stoves, and gas or oil appliances with faulty venting systems.
UFFI has been used primarily for insulating the exterior walls of buildings, between the exterior cladding (usually brick walls) and the interior walls. However, UFFI can also be found in other areas such as the interior of concrete blocks in the exterior walls of commercial buildings or other cavities in a building that need to be insulated.
UFFI was banned in Canada in December 1980 under the Hazardous Products Act. Notwithstanding the above, there are still many buildings insulated with UFFI since owners have never been required to remove this material, which, in most cases, no longer poses a significant risk of formaldehyde release since it was installed a long time ago (except if the UFFI comes in contact with moisture or if work in performed on it).
For the air test, the results will confirm whether the building’s indoor air is safe according to applicable standards, but will not confirm whether the building has been insulated with UFFI.
If you know that there is insulating foam, you better test this material to be sure of the nature before work is performed.