Ultimate Guide To Asbestos Removal For Homeowners

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Ultimate Guide To Asbestos Removal For Homeowners


Asbestos was found commonly in Australian households until 40-50 years ago. This microparticle was used effectively as an insulation material to keep out heat. It’s estimated that by the 1960s, almost 20% of Australian homes had asbestos in them. This article explores why you should be aware of this potentially harmful material in your home and a guide on removing it.

If it was so good, why was it banned? 

During the past century, asbestos was used in construction due to its durability, fireproof and corrosion-proof qualities.

It was popularly used in NSW, WA, and the NT. However, it wasn’t common in some states like Tasmania, QLD, and SA.

The hazards of asbestos were known as early as 1935 when the inspector of factories and shops in Western Australia reported that employees at the James Hardie factory in Perth were suffering from asbestos-related lung disease, coined as asbestosis.

Tips: If you find asbestos in your home, it is better to hire an asbestos removal company in your area in Sydney. To find asbestos removal expert in Sydney just search “Asbestos Removal Sydney” on Google.com.au.


The discovery of Asbestosis 

Along with Asbestosis, everyone exposed had an increased risk of mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer.

From 1951 Western Australia adopted regulatory measures, as the word spread around the commonwealth, tighter laws were applied, but to no avail.

Despite measures, the disease was never eliminated, so on 31 Dec 2003 an Australia wide ban was placed on all usage of asbestos.

Even after a complete ban, Australians are still suffering from the after-effects. In between 1982 and 2016 a total of 16,679 people have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Asbestos regulations The government provides strict regulations on asbestos control and removal in homes and workspaces under the “Work Health and Safety Act 2011” and code of practice 2015. This states that all removal must be by licensed personnel.


License requirements for New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland There are two classes of licenses: 

Class A: Can remove friable asbestos, non-friable asbestos, and asbestos-contaminated dust debris (ACD).

Class B: Allows you to remove non-friable (bonded) asbestos, and you can only remove the asbestos-contaminated dust or debris (ACD) associated with the removal of nonfriable asbestos.

Other states have the same two classes with minor differences.


License requirements for Tasmania In Tasmania, you do not need an asbestos removal license to remove less than 10 square meters of non-friable asbestos.

License requirements for Western Australia The license allows you to remove both forms of asbestos. However, if you intend to remove only bonded (non-friable) asbestos exceeding 10 square meters in total, you may instead apply for a restricted asbestos removal license.

License requirements for South Australia In South Australia, Class B license holders can remove any amount of non-friable asbestos.

When can removal be needed? 

Asbestos may naturally be present in sites such as in road building or excavation activities.

It may be found during demolition and renovation projects such as the dismantling of industrial plants or old house renovations.

Asbestos removal in homes Asbestos may be present in your household! Here is a guide on where it’s used in buildings and how to remove it.

Domestic usage and removal


Fencing Most common usage: asbestos cement sheets and paint. Remove when: Weather wearing or breaking of fences exposes inner linings. Removal Procedure: 

Dig a trench around the fence

Remove the entire sheet

Ensure minimal breakage during removal

Use hand operated tools and do not cut or break sheets.

Do not use an ordinary household vacuum cleaner.

Dispose off waste material at licensed waste facility.

Soil


Asbestos can seep into the soil through the disposal of asbestos-containing waste. Remove when: Fibres become airborne and breathable. And before any site remediation. Removal procedure: 

Set up a boundary of the contamination site

Ensure there is minimal disturbance of the contaminated soil

Isolate the removal work site using signs and barriers

Control dust with dust suppression techniques (such as water agents)

Roof Originally used by adding 15-20% asbestos fibres into the petroleum asphalt mixture. To be removed when: Ageing and weathering of asbestos cement roofs start exposing fibres. Removal procedure: 

Anchoring screws/bolts should be removed from the roof sheeting using an oxy torch or another suitable device that will not damage the sheets.

Ensure respirable dust is not generated when lowering sheets.

Floors Vinyl manufacturers often mix asbestos into their products for greater strength and insulating properties To be removed when: Chipping off of tiles exposes underlying asbestos Removal procedure: 

Use a tool like a heat gun between the tiles, lift the tile away from the floor, and ensure minimal breakage.

Minimize dust by spraying fine water mist under tiles as they are lifted. Place the tiles into heavy-duty polyethylene sheeting (minimum 200 µm thickness)

Ceilings Chrysotile asbestos and amosite asbestos were some of the most commonly used in the production of ceiling materials. Removal procedure:


Use a P1 or P2 filter with a half-face piece respirator or a full face air-purifying positive pressure respirator.

Surface below the tiles should be covered with heavy-duty polyethylene sheeting (minimum 200 µm thickness).

The first tile should be lifted carefully to minimize dust.

The top of each tile should be thoroughly vacuumed and wet wiped before removing subsequent tiles.

Cladding Used in asbestos-cement sheet cladding, roofing, and drainage pipes. To be removed when: Broken or leaky pipes can expose underlying asbestos. Removal procedure: 

Cover with a 500-gauge polythene sheet and fix duct tape to non-asbestos surfaces.

Carefully remove pipework fixtures. Knock off any screw heads with the hammer and chisel.


Pull the sheet away from its fastenings, dampening exposed surfaces. Lower sheets to the ground – do not use a rubble chute.

Put small items and debris in the asbestos waste bag. Double-wrap cladding pieces in 1000-gauge polythene sheeting.

Attach asbestos warning stickers

Walls Used to be mixed in gypsum drywall To be removed when: Wallpapers can chip off over time and expose underlying asbestos. 

Removing wall tiles Use the chisel to gently tap between the top of the tile and the backing asbestos cement sheet to release the tile.

Do not dig the chisel into the asbestos cement sheet.

As the tile is released, spray detergent water behind the tile to prevent the release of fibres.

Prevent the tile from falling onto the plastic.

Place tiles in disposal bags.

What are site clearance certificates? Many states such as NSW, Workplace Health & Safety Regulations require an Asbestos Clearance Certificate when asbestos is removed if the amount of asbestos is 10 square meters or more.

Why are they needed? The certificate ensures that all visible asbestos fragments posing a significant health risk have been removed.

Asbestos testing


To determine whether any building material within your house or commercial building contains asbestos, you need to undertake testing by an accredited laboratory to the Australian Standard AS 4964.

NATA lab testing Ensure that the asbestos testing laboratory is accredited by NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities). Most state and commonwealth legislation specify that the report is NATA endorsed. The reported results will identify whether any Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) has been detected.

Air monitoring This involves sampling airborne asbestos fibres to assist in assessing exposure and the effectiveness of implemented control measures. 

It is mandatory;

For all friable asbestos removal.

Anywhere the asbestos removal work is being undertaken in or next to a public location.

It must be conducted before and during Class A asbestos removal work.

Ensure that the air monitoring results are given to health and safety representatives for the workplace.

Asbestos disposal 

Disposable PPE used in the asbestos work area and is contaminated with asbestos must be sealed, labelled, and disposed of upon completion of the asbestos removal work.

Ensure all asbestos waste and small pieces of non-friable asbestos is contained to prevent exposure to airborne fibres

All asbestos waste bags should be half full


Disposal sites are regulated by the EPA, and asbestos disposal is under the control of local councils who allocate sites for disposal, such as the Brisbane city council, which designates a landfill site at 174 Gardner Road, Rochedale.

Conclusion Asbestos removal isn’t an easy task, but knowing the right people to connect with and the laws regulating it make the process easier. We hope our one-stop guide helps you in making your home safe again. Remember, safety first! This document is published and managed by:

Pro Asbestos Removal Sydney Website: https://www.proasbestosremovalsydney.com.au/ Address: 2/66 Addison Road, Manly, NSW, 2095 Phone: 02 8015 6200


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