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During the 20th century, asbestos was used in many building materials. There is a possibility that your home may have asbestos products if it was built before 1990.
It is not a good idea to attempt to remove asbestos yourself. You may need professionals to remove the asbestos depending on its type. We will take a closer look at asbestos found in residential properties. This includes how to remove it and the cost of doing so.
When did asbestos stop being used in homes?
Most asbestos was eliminated from Australian homes by the 1980s. In the mid-1970s, asbestos production peaked. At this point, the government began to investigate the health effects of asbestos dust exposure.
Australia banned asbestos completely in 2003. However, asbestos was still mined in Australia up to 1984. It is found in approximately one third of homes built before 1990.
In the 1920s, Australian manufacturers began to import and mine asbestos. In 1983, 1.5 million tonnes had already been imported to Australia. The following are common products made from asbestos:
- Cement sheets
- Corrugated roofing
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Pipe insulation
- Loose insulation
There is training. OHS.com.au offers separate courses for friable (Class A), and non-friable asbestos removal.
Cost of removal will depend on the amount and location of asbestos. It may take more to remove loose-fill insulation from large homes than removing pipe insulation from just a few pipes.
Costs can be increased by obstacles. You may be charged an additional fee to remove asbestos from hard-to-reach areas, like an area where workers might have difficulty accessing.
Conclusion
From the 1920s to the 1980s, asbestos was used by both homebuilders and construction companies in a variety of building products. One in three homes built prior to 1990 contained some form of asbestos.
You may need to inspect an older house for asbestos before you do any repairs or renovations. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems.
To remove any kind of asbestos from a house, a professional must be hired. An asbestos assessor licensed in the state of California can inspect the property for asbestos and recommend the best course.