1 in 3 houses in NSW constructed or renovated between 1945 and 1990 are estimated to contain asbestos.
Asbestos products in the home are usually non-friable (known as bonded asbestos). Corrugated roofing and cement sheeting are types of non-friable asbestos.
Asbestos in the home is low risk if it’s sealed and undamaged. If you disturb asbestos when you renovate or do some demolition, fibres may be released. It isn’t just the big jobs that can disturb asbestos. Maintenance or even drilling to hang a picture can expose asbestos. This is a serious health risk.
If you think it might be asbestos, treat it like it is. Stop work, clear the site, and get help.
We strongly recommend you don’t remove asbestos yourself. Use a licensed asbestos assessor and removalist for safe identification, removal and disposal.
Common asbestos-containing materials found inside and outside older homes include:
roofing
ceilings and internal walls
eaves
fencing
flue and water pipes
fireplaces
behind tiles
flooring underlay.
In homes, asbestos is often non-friable (bonded). If the asbestos is sealed with quality paint or sealant, and the fibres are undisturbed, it’s lower risk and more likely to be safely contained.
If the asbestos is damaged or broken, asbestos fibres can be released into the air. This is a serious health risk to you and your family. If you think you’ve found damaged asbestos in your home, treat it like it is and:
remove people from the area
put on PPE
dampen area
cover with tarp or plastic and seal so no dust can escape
prevent access to area until an assessor can advise any other action
get a licensed asbestos assessor to confirm asbestos and give you advice.
Asbestos may be found in:
If you think you’ve found asbestos in your garden, treat it like it is and:
dampen the area with water (but do not water blast)
cover with tarp or plastic and seal so to keep dust down
get a licensed asbestos assessor to confirm asbestos and advise on next steps.
We strongly recommend you don’t remove asbestos in the home yourself.
Use a licensed asbestos removalist to reduce risk. Contact your local council for more advice on approvals to remove asbestos from your home.
Unlicensed asbestos removal is legal in your own home, but we recommend you leave it to the licensed professionals to protect others from harm. Homeowners must follow the same strict safety precautions as professional removalists before, during, and after the removal process.
Non-friable asbestos (known as bonded asbestos) is the most common type of asbestos in older homes. Examples of non-friable asbestos materials include:
Friable asbestos is not as common in homes. Examples of friable asbestos include:
