How to avoid asbestos when renovating
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With home renovating being a popular pastime, precautions need to be taken to prevent asbestos exposure. Registered builders are well aware of the safety requirements for removing asbestos, but many do-it-yourself home renovators are not, so make sure you're aware of asbestos, what to look out for and what to do with it once you find it.
Generally Asbestos comes in two forms
- Firmly bound material, such as cement sheeting, roof shingles, and imitation cladding
- Loosely bound material used in older types of insulation for hot water pipes, domestic heaters and stoves, and ceiling insulation.
Many homes undergoing refurbishment will require asbestos removal. Asbestos was widely used in building materials from 1940 to as recently as the early 1980s. If your home falls into these build dates then there is a very good chance that there may be asbestos present in the building.
When is asbestos a risk?
Asbestos is only a health risk when it is broken, cracked or disturbed (which frequently happens during renovation projects). Activities like these can produce Asbestos dust or fibres which when inhaled can potentially cause fatal lung diseases.
Take these precautions to reduce asbestos exposure.
- If your home is built between 1940 and 1980 and you intend to renovate, check to see if you have asbestos before commencing renovating. You should consult a specialist.
- Know that asbestos in your home is not necessarily a health risk so long as it is painted. It is only hazardous when broken, cracked or disturbed in activities such as sawing or drilling which produce dust or fibres.
- Be assured that asbestos-cement products in homes can be maintained or removed and disposed of safely and legally.
- It is recommended that you contact a licensed asbestos removal specialist to deal with any loosely bound asbestos. Even for firmly bound asbestos, it may be difficult to follow the prescribed safety precautions yourself. So err on the side of caution and use an expert.
- Have a Registered Building Practitioner oversee the work. They will ways work in accordance with asbestos safety practices or will have a licensed asbestos removal specialist do the work, when required.
- If you suspect that you have asbestos or need more information, contact your Environmental Health Officer at your local council.
To get in touch with a qualified asbestos inspector or removalist, post a job today!
Asbestos Quotes
from local businesses
