Think Asbestos

If you are thinking renovation, you must think asbestos.

Until the mid-1980s, asbestos was widely used in a range of home building materials. If your house was built or renovated during this era, it is likely you have asbestos in your home.

It’s worth knowing what asbestos is and what precautions you should take if you are planning to renovate or make repairs around your home just in case you are dealing with asbestos.

Removing asbestos is a dangerous and complicated process best carried out by professionals who have completed the necessary training. If you were to consider removing a small amount of asbestos yourself, at the very minimum you would need to meticulously follow ALL of the steps described on this site in order to protect your health and that of those around you.

What you need to know:

More information

Newcastle Council recommends hiring a licensed contractor for all asbestos removal jobs.

Learn more

The NSW Government website, DIY Safe, contains information about the hazards and risks that home renovators may face from a range of chemicals or materials, including asbestos.

You can't tell whether building materials contain asbestos just by looking at them. The only way to determine the presence or type of asbestos in materials is to have a sample of the material tested at a NATA laboratory approved for asbestos identification.

If you are in doubt, it is best to assume that you are dealing with asbestos and take every precaution.

The safest way to manage the removal of asbestos is to hire a licensed asbestos removal contractor.

Where asbestos fibres are loose and not bonded into building materials, you should use a professional licensed asbestos removal service.

There are government regulations and your local council may also have policies regarding the removal of asbestos.