A DIYers Guide to Asbestos
Asbestos-based building materials haven't been in use in Australia since the late eighties, and asbestos in all of its forms was completely banned throughout the country in 2003. There's still plenty around, though: in Victoria, for example, it's been estimated that 98% of all extant domestic properties built before 1976 contain some form of asbestos.
If you live in a home that was partially or entirely built before the late eighties, and you're thinking of carrying out some renovation work or a DIY project, it's quite likely that you'll find asbestos somewhere along the way. So what do you need to know about it before you begin?
Where might you come across asbestos?
Asbestos was once thought of as being a wonder material, and as such there are plenty of places you might find it used. These include but are not limited to:
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backing material for switchboards
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brick imitation cladding
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carports, outhouses, sheds and temporary structures
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ceilings made of loose, square tiles
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concrete forms and beams
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construction packing, e.g., under a beam
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eaves, flues and gables
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fences
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floor sheeting
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guttering and other external pipes
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insulation
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roof sheeting
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underlays for various other flooring types
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wall sheeting such as for a shed or outhouse
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waterproof membrane in lofts and outbuildings
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window putties
What should you do if you think you've found asbestos?
Your first step should be to stop working in the area you're in and remove any tools or equipment that might disturb or damage the asbestos. Asbestos is much more dangerous broken up than it is solid, so your best course of action is generally to leave well enough alone!
Next, you'll need to call in the professionals. Asbestos removalists will generally begin by sending someone to your home to determine which type of asbestos you have. If it's "white asbestos", which is the most common kind and also the least dangerous, the professionals will leave you with advice on how to remove and wrap it yourself. Once you've done that, they'll be back to take the asbestos away for you and ensure that it is properly disposed of.
If you have a different kind of asbestos, however, it's vital that you don't attempt to do anything with it yourself. In its more dangerous forms, asbestos should only be dealt with by someone who has training—meaning that your professional will send in a specialised team to deal with it for you as soon as possible.