If your house was built before 2000 you may have asbestos in your home. The below are 10 common places you could find it hiding.
1. Roof
Look out for corrugated cement roofs, better known as super six roofing as well as decramastic roof tiles. The gutters and downpipes can also be contaminated with asbestos. Do not clean using high pressure.
2. Exterior cladding
Exterior cladding comes in a variety of styles from flat sheet to corrugated as well as imitation brick or stone cladding. Be aware of stucco cladding as it can hide asbestos cement boards.
3. Gutters, spouting, rain headers and downpipes
These typically have a cement like appearance and can potentially be contaminated with asbestos, particularly from a super six or decramastic roof.
4. Electrical meter boards, fuses and fuse backings
If your home was built before 1983 and no renovations have taken place, your electrical meter board, fuses and fuse backings could contain asbestos. Do not attempt to sample it, or remove it yourself. Not only could it pose an asbestos risk but also an electrical hazard.
5. Ceilings
Most people have heard about textured ceilings (popcorn ceilings), but also remember to look out for asbestos ceiling tiles.
6. Fireplace
Asbestos could be lurking in all sorts of places in your fireplaces, chimneys and flues. It could be lined with asbestos containing cement, asbestos rope surrounding the door or asbestos insulating board in the ceiling cavity.
7. Soil
If your home contains or has contained asbestos that has been broken or disturbed, it may be present in the surrounding soil. A good example would be asbestos fibres moving from the cladding, baseboards or the roof into the soil due to disturbance. Simple tasks such as mowing the lawn or planting in the garden could cause health risks.
8. Vinyl floors
Vinyl floors are very popular in New Zealand houses, but unfortunately some of this flooring was manufactured with friable asbestos backing or in the matrix of the vinyl itself.
9. Water tanks
These tanks do not require any immediate removal if they are left in place and remain in good condition.
10. Soffits
A very common building material that may contain asbestos. Be careful if you plan renovations, even small ones such as installing a light or drilling holes in the soffits. Rather contact a professional before you attempt any work on soffits, the chances of it containing asbestos are high.
If you suspect asbestos in your home, our Surveyors can visit your property and let you know for sure. We can also recommend management strategies for any asbestos found on your property. Contact us today.
