Asbestos was used widely in Australian home construction until bans came in from the mid-1980s, with a full ban at the end of 2003. A lot of it is still in place today. If your home was built or renovated before then, it's worth understanding where asbestos can be, and how to deal with it safely.
Asbestos is only dangerous when it's disturbed. When asbestos-containing material is broken, drilled, sanded or left to deteriorate, it can release tiny fibres into the air. Breathing those fibres in is linked to serious lung diseases that can take decades to appear, which is why intact material is best left undisturbed and assessed by a professional.
In pre-1990 homes, asbestos can turn up in wall and ceiling sheeting, eaves and soffits, vinyl floor tiles and their backing, roofing, fencing, and around wet areas like bathrooms and laundries. It was valued for being cheap, durable and fire-resistant, so it ended up almost everywhere in mid-century construction.
You can't reliably identify asbestos by eye — a lab test is the only way to be certain. If you can safely collect a small sample, you can post it in for testing; otherwise book an inspection and we'll assess the whole property and sample it for you, with on-site screening results in seconds and a certificate of analysis.
Don't disturb it. Don't sand, cut, drill or break the material, and keep the area undisturbed. Get it tested, and once you know what you're dealing with, you can decide whether to manage it in place, seal it, or have it removed. We can advise honestly on which is right for your situation.
Call 1300 019 657, 7 days a week, or book an inspection and we'll give you a clear answer.
