Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is made up of lots of small fibres. It is very durable and heat and fire-resistant which made it popular as a building material. Combined with other materials it was used to make insulation and other products that needed to be very heat resistant. It was used in building in New Zealand commonly between the 1920s and the 1980s and up to 2000 in some products. Asbestos has two classes.
Class A (friable) Asbestos: Class A asbestos is known for its fine-grained texture and is difficult to contain, thus more dangerous. Class A asbestos can easily come in contact with skin or be inhaled. Any work involving Class A asbestos need to be carried out by a licensed class A certified asbestos removal company.
Class A (friable) Asbestos: Class A asbestos is known for its fine-grained texture and is difficult to contain, thus more dangerous. Class A asbestos can easily come in contact with skin or be inhaled. Any work involving Class A asbestos need to be carried out by a licensed class A certified asbestos removal company.
Class B (non-friable) Asbestos: Class B asbestos is considered ‘non-friable’ as it's usually bonded, mixed or sealed into products. Compounds like cement or plastic can be combined with asbestos to create a stronger product. It is bound tightly and cannot be easily crumbled to expose asbestos fibers. Bonded asbestos is considered safe if it is maintained and low risk if undisturbed.
Asbestos comes in different fibre shapes and colours. But because it is often combined with things like concrete it can be difficult to identify.There are a number of different types of asbestos with different looks, varying in colour and fibre-shape, but any asbestos that you are likely to come into contact with is also normally combined with other materials (such as cement), which can make it difficult to identify by sight. If you suspect that there may be material in your home that contains asbestos, it’s a good idea to have it assessed by a professional laboratory.
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Textured Coating - also know as stipple or popcorn coating
This is a very common and usually found in ceilings and walls. It does not always contain asbestos, but should be tested to be safe.
Cement sheeting - also known as cement sheeting, Hardie board, Hardies and Polite.
This is commonly found in cladding (weatherboard), soffits (eaves under edge of roof), roofing, interior walls, fencing, packers in foundations or walls, debris in subfloors.
When it is in a good condition and sealed with paint, it is usually safe, but it should be assumed to contain asbestos until it is tested. If it is degraded, broken, and heavily weathered, it can be dangerous to anyone nearby.
Super Six - also known as ​corrugated cement sheeting, cement sheeting roofing and Super 7
This is usually found in roofing, fencing and cladding (weatherboard). Like cement sheeting it is not always dangerous but should be tested.
Paper backing for vinyl flooring - also known as vinyl, lino, linoleum, or paper backing
This is commonly found on kitchen, bathroom and laundry floors but can be found in other rooms too.
This type of material has a high concentration of asbestos, which means disturbing it is very dangerous! If the vinyl on top is in good condition, it is probably safe, but it is not safe when it is disturbed.
Vinyl tiles - also known as thermoplastic vinyl tiles, vinyl tiles, lino, or linoleum
This is often found on the floors of commercial buildings but rarely in residential homes.
This type of material has a low percentage asbestos content, and the asbestos is usually well bound in the matrix of the material. It is usually considered low risk.
Decramastic roofing tiles also known as pebbled roofing, mastic/bitumen or pressed metal roof tiles
This is common in older residential buildings.
This type of material has a low percentage asbestos content, and the asbestos is usually well contained in the mastic or bitumen (glue) that holds the pebbles to the metal tile.
Switchboard - also known as fuse boards, Bakelite, or electrical boards
These are found in various locations in homes and commercial buildings, particularly in hallways.
Switchboards are low risk materials unless they are heavily degraded or disturbed. The main activity which makes them dangerous is drilling into them.
Hot water cylinder or tank
Cylinders are usually located in cupboards or closets, typically near the bathroom.
Hot water cylinders are low risk, as usually the asbestos materials are contained within the cylinder (insulation, gaskets, reinforced plastics, wiring, rope/string, insulating board). There is not a need to get rid of it unless you are replacing or refurbishing the your hot water cylinder. Any cylinder made before the year 2000 should be assumed to contain asbestos.
Asbestos insulating board (AIB) - also known as millboard or low density board (LBD)
This is often found around old log burners and kitchen stoves particularly around the panelling behind the burner.
AIB is very dangerous, and but often looks quite similar to cement sheeting. It is far more "friable"-it is easy to make into dust. It has more of a soft texture / feel to it, and has a very high concentration of asbestos.
Cement pipe
This is found in downpipes, drainage pipes, in ground, and waste water pipes. It is fairly uncommon and rare in residential properties. In houses, this item would likely be subterranean pipes, or downpipes. It's more commonly found on commercial sites. It ranges from 85mm in diameter, all the way up 400+mm. A broken edge will have a blueish colour.
Yes it can be, especially if it is damaged. Asbestos that is old or damaged can crumble and the tiny fibres get into the air and can be inhaled. These fibres can then lodge in the lungs causing a range of health problems. The symptoms of illness do not appear until many years later.
It is important to get your asbestos checked by a professional. In some cases a sample may need to be sent to a lab for testing - we can arrange this for you. If the asbestos containing material is not damaged and not likely to be disturbed the risk may be minimal. However if there is greater risk the asbestos will need to be removed.
If you are demolishing a house you will first need an Asbestos Demolition Survey from a independent assessor. The asbestos needs to be carefully removed as part of the demolition process or before any renovation work is done. This removal needs to be performed by a licensed asbestos removal company. Some renovation work may be able to be carried out around the asbestos if it is in good condition. For example we can carefully cut holes for heat pumps and heat transfer systems, downlights, and pipes