If you live in an older property, one thing you need to keep in mind is that asbestos was most likely used during construction. In decades gone by, asbestos was a hugely popular material that was widely used within the construction industry because of its many benefits. However, what people did not know at that point was that exposure to asbestos fibres can cause serious and even deadly problems, which led to it being banned.
Despite the ban, there are still many homes that were built decades ago that contain asbestos. As long as the asbestos is not disturbed, the fibres won’t become airborne and cause issues. However, if you are planning to renovate or make major changes to your older home, it is important to familiarise yourself with the areas of your home that might contain asbestos. It is also important to ensure you call on experts to identify and tackle any asbestos removal involved.
In this article, we will look at some of the key places where you might find asbestos in your older home.
Where Asbestos Can Be Found
There are various areas of the home where asbestos might have been used during the construction of older properties. Some of the main ones are:
Roof of Your Home
One of the most common places that asbestos can be found in older homes is in roofing materials. Asbestos cement sheeting was often used for roof panels, shingles, and corrugated roofing. In addition, eaves and soffits were also commonly made from products that contained asbestos. As the years go by, exposure to weather can cause these materials to deteriorate, increasing the risk of fibre release. Cracked or weathered eaves are a big concern, particularly in homes that have not been well-maintained.
Walls and Ceilings
Asbestos cement sheeting was widely used for internal and external walls, as well as ceilings. These sheets were popular for their durability and fire resistance. In many homes, asbestos wall linings might be hidden beneath paint, wallpaper, or newer wall coverings. Ceilings in wet areas, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms, are more likely to contain asbestos, as the material was well-known for its moisture resistance.
Flooring and Floor Backing
Vinyl floor tiles and the adhesive used beneath them can contain asbestos, especially in homes that were built or renovated between the 1950s and 1980s. While you might consider the tiles themselves to be harmless, removing or sanding them can disturb asbestos fibres in both the tiles and the backing material. Timber floors might also hide asbestos underneath, as older homes sometimes used asbestos sheeting as an underlay or moisture barrier.
Bathrooms and Kitchens
Bathrooms and kitchens are also high-risk areas for asbestos due to the past use of asbestos cement in wet environments. Wall linings, splashbacks, pipe boxing, and even some old toilet cisterns were made with asbestos-containing materials. In laundry rooms, asbestos might also be found behind sinks or around water heaters. Because these spaces are often renovated, they pose a serious risk of accidental asbestos exposure.
Garages and Sheds
Asbestos was also widely used in garages, sheds, and fencing. Many older garages have asbestos cement wall panels or roofing. These outside areas of the home are sometimes overlooked, yet they are more likely to be weathered and damaged compared to the interior of your home.
Get Expert Advice
If you need expert advice on asbestos in your older home, contact the team at Asbestos Victoria. We can identify and remove asbestos safely and efficiently, enabling you to complete your renovations with total peace of mind.