Where you might find asbestos in your Sydney home
Back in the early to mid-20th century asbestos was used in a range of building materials. It is most commonly found these days in buildings with fibro walls, roof eaves and corrugated roofing but could potentially be found in a range of other materials and structures including:
-
Insulation
-
Previous demolition and re-builds
-
Heat proofing for boilers
-
Vinyl floor tiles and sheeting
-
Chimney flues
-
Fences
-
Access pits
-
Roofing components
-
Flooring underlay
-
Switchboards
-
Plus many more
The main areas of your home that you are likely to find asbestos are in the bathroom, the garage, the kitchen and the roof, this applies especially to asbestos exposure in older homes. Due to questionable building practices in the early 20th century you may also find asbestos materials and asbestos fibres in a whole variety of other places including driveways, sheds, within any previous demolitions and re-builds and in concrete work around your property.
Asbestos Removal
Asbestos removal is not just a problem with old homes. Many of the same building products will have been used in a whole range of houses and apartments including brick, concrete and timber. If you own a house built early to mid-last century then it is very likely that it will include Asbestos materials.
NSW asbestos regulations are quite harsh when it comes to removing suspect materials. The only way to 100% ascertain whether asbestos is present in building materials is to have those materials tested by a NATA authorised laboratory. Many of the building products like fibro sheeting will look very similar to products that are used today however the older those products are the higher the chances are that they contain asbestos.
Experienced removal contractors should be able to quite clearly identify potentially suspect materials and advise you on what steps you should take. We believe that if an item is likely to be asbestos then we will treat it like it is and take all required precautions.
What is Asbestos and why does it need to be removed
The term "asbestos" is used to refer to six diffferent naturally occuring minerals. These minerals are quite fibrous and have exceptionial heat resisting properties. Because of these heat resisting properties prior to the dangers being known the minerals were used in a whole range of building and insulation products. The reasons why we need to remove asbestos are numerous. Firstly, if the asbestos is damaged at all then fires can be released. This damage could be as a result of drilling into a board or accidentally breaking a board. Secondly, somtimes when the products become old then they start to break down and may release fibres into the air. Either way, those released fibres could be inhaled into your lungs and may cause damage.
Asbestos removal cost
What does removal cost? The cost will depend on a number of factors. Firstly, the type of asbestos that is being removed and the condition of the asbestos being removed. If it is simply removing a couple of fibro panels then it will not be as expensive as a fibro roof that has started to break down. The second factor to consider is how much asbestos needs to be removed. If it is an entire house then we will need to carefully demolish it and then dispose of it at an approved tip. Thirdly, another factor that will impact the asbestos removal cost is how accessible is the asbestos. If it is sitting on the third floor of a factory complex then we may require specialist equipment to access it whilst if it is a small shed in your backyard then it can be quite easily demolished. If you would like more information about the asbestos removal cost for your specific project then give us a call and we will be happy to come and take a look at your project.
Asbestos Removalist
To work as an asbestos removalist in NSW you need to have specific certifications and training. The NSW government regulates the industry and ensures that removalists understand the risks involved and adhere to specific safety standards. Workcover also keep a close eye on operators and sites involved in asbestos removal to limit any potential risk to employees and to the general public. Why you are choosing an asbestos removalist make sure that you check their qualifications are totally up to date.
Friable Asbestos v/s Non-Friable Asbestos
Friability relates to the tendency of the asbestos material to break down. Friable asbestos is much more likely to release fibres into the air and is present in products like insulation, roofing tiles etc. Non-friable asbestos is generally products like asbestos sheeting (fibro) etc. The majority of removal jobs in Sydney involve removing asbestos that is non-friable asbestos. The friable asbestos is a lot more difficult and a lot more dangerous to remove than the non-friable asbestos. It requires a lot more asbestos safety.
Asbestos Register
An asbestos register is required in workplaces where asbestos has been identified. You business will need to maintain the register in accordance with Safe Work requirements.
Asbestos inspection near me
A lot of people ask, how can I get an asbestos inspection near me. If you live in the Sydney metropolitan area then NSWAR can come to your residence or your business premises and inspect the suspect materials. We can then provide you with a free quote for removal and in some cases we can actually take the asbestos products with us (for a fee). We are no nonsense removalists who will tell you exactly what you have and what you will be up for to get it removed. We are also sticklers for the regulations so everything will be totally above board.
Where is the asbestos waste taken?
There are specific tips within Sydney that accept specific types of asbestos. The waste will need to be packaged according to government regulations and a fee will be charged according to weight.