Plumbing and draining

Downpipes and other plumbing accessories were moulded from asbestos containing materials. Be aware. Use our asbestos checker to find where asbestos may still be.

Roof eaves that meet or overhang the walls of a building were made from non-friable (bonded) asbestos sheeting until the mid 1980s. Signs the asbestos has broken down include discolouration, cracking or splitting. Do not drill into the eaves as it can release asbestos fibres.

Flue pipes and fittings were moulded from asbestos cement and may still be found in many Australian homes and buildings.

A gasket containing Non-Friable asbestos may be moulded to the same shape as the surface, or look like a fibrous rope or matting. It may be wrapped between the bracket, pipework and gasket. 

Lagging thermal insulation may contain asbestos. It can be any colour and may look like rope or tape stuck on the outside of pipes or inside furnaces or boilers. 

Movement joints of 30.5 centimetres (1 foot) lengths were made with soft, non-hardening caulking material. The caulking forms a flexible seal used in seams, joints and openings between pipes, planks and wall sections.