You know very well about asbestos and its dangerous impacts on health. You also know that the use of asbestos-containing materials for over two decades have been banned in Australia.
However, despite this, the issue of asbestos is also something to be worried about. This is due to the fact that most of the buildings constructed prior to the 90s of the past century are still holding this toxic compound. Unfortunately, they cause life-threatening conditions to thousands of people every day.
Remember, asbestos removal should be your priority as a homeowner. In this guide, we’ll
explain how to test for asbestos in homes. Further, you will learn how to keep yourself and others from its exposure while examining its presence. So, read on!
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a natural material that is widely used in construction sites. This is because of its heat-resistant and fire-resistant properties. Until the 1980s, the usage of asbestos-containing materials per person was highest in the world. Before its ban, the country imported around 1.5 million tonnes of asbestos for varied construction projects. These days, it is illegal to transport, sell, or import this material in any form.
Earlier, asbestos was used in the following products:
- Roof tiles
- Fireproofing
- Heating systems
- Water pipes
- Air conditioners
- Insulation
- And more.
Typically, there are two types of asbestos:
- Serpentine Asbestos: Coloured white and made up of flexible fibres.
- Amphibole Asbestos: Brown in colour; It contains needle-like fibres.
It is more likely that you will find serpentine asbestos in your building.
Tests You Can Do Yourself
Check the Year of Construction
Was your home constructed in or after 2005? Rest assured, it is away from the risk of asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos was legally banned on 31st December 2003.
Hence, it is safer to consider 2005 as the actual safe year. Because till then, the use of asbestos was totally eliminated.
You can consider this as a rule of thumb for new development projects, not for refurbishments. Renovated or refurbished projects might have the presence of asbestos that you can overlook.
Check for the Available Information
Gather previous asbestos check reports before investigating the building thoroughly. This will help you access the information as much as possible.
Hence, ask for copies of the building plan from the project developer. This will not suggest to you where the asbestos is. However, it will give you an idea about where you should look for. If the building records are not available, you can continue the inspection.
Inspect Your Property
It is advisable to hire professional asbestos testing surveyors to check for the presence of asbestos materials. However, anyone can do asbestos inspection for homes safely by following relevant guidelines.
Take a look at the following pointers to make an informed decision:
- Wear protective gear, such as overalls, to avoid asbestos exposure.
- Never try to remove potential asbestos on your own
- Avoid disturbing those materials that might contain asbestos.
- Maintain a distance from those materials about which you are not familiar.
- Ask someone to accompany you during the inspection.
Do the Site Preparation for the Asbestos Testing
When you do the asbestos testing in residential properties, the area should be cleared of unnecessary objects. Do the site preparation in the following ways:
- Stop ventilation systems, such as fans or air conditioners, from circulating.
- Seal the area; Do not let anyone come in and out of the place.
- Empty the home before gathering asbestos samples.
Use a DIY Testing Kit
Have you found asbestos or suspected asbestos-containing materials in an area? Follow the safety protocols to use a DIY asbestos testing kit. You may explore varied options in it. However, choose the one that best suits your needs. With it, you will get equipment to gather asbestos samples. After collecting them, you should give samples to a certified laboratory for deep analysis. You will find that this method is more cost-effective than professional investigations. Also, the results can be prompt, depending on your chosen lab’s turnaround time. Take a look at the following pointers to understand the testing procedure in a simplified manner:
- Lay down the sheet below the area where you will collect the samples and fix it with tape.
- Spray the area with water to keep loose fibres from getting in the air.
- Cut the substance to get fibres for the sample.
- The sample should be sealed in a sealable container to be sent to a laboratory.
- Patch the area from where you have taken the sample with a plastic sheet or tape, preventing suspected fibres from spreading in the air.
- In addition to it, protective gear contaminated by fibers should be placed in a sealed container for its safe disposal.
Conclusion
Be aware that asbestos and asbestos-related materials sampling might release fibres, risking your health. Hence, call a reliable and competent surveyor to do so.