Recognising asbestos and having it removed safely

Asbestos cannot be identified with certainty by eye. It was used in many building materials until 1994, so the rule of thumb is: the older the building, the greater the chance. Common places are corrugated roofs of sheds and garages, old vinyl flooring and the adhesive beneath it, board around stoves and boilers, and pipe lagging. Only a certified investigation with sampling gives certainty — exactly what an asbestos survey does.

The difference between bonded and non-bonded asbestos matters. In bonded material (such as corrugated sheets) the asbestos is fixed; as long as it is intact and undamaged, the risk is limited. Non-bonded or weathered material releases fibres more easily and falls in a higher risk class. That distinction partly determines the approach and the price, and it is one of the things the survey report establishes.

Suspect asbestos? Don't go in: don't saw, drill, break or sand it, and don't attack it with a pressure washer. If material is already broken — for example after a storm or a job that went wrong — don't sweep or vacuum it, keep people and pets away, and leave the area undisturbed. For those situations there is emergency help after damage by a certified company.

If you are sure or strongly suspect there is asbestos, have it assessed and, where needed, removed by a certified company (SC-540). Indoor asbestos is often only discovered during a renovation — exactly the moment to stop and request a survey first. The guide prices per job are in the price index; if you're unsure what's allowed in your situation, check with your municipality.