The Top Asbestos Stories of 2020 from Chemcare

Even though asbestos has been banned in New Zealand for some time now, that doesn’t mean it hasn’t reared its ugly head multiple times over the decades since. From homeowners looking to carry out renovations, to homes being demolished through fire, it continues to be a cause of concern.

With that in mind, we’ve decided to look over some of the most popular asbestos-related topics of 2020. While we’ve now entered a new year, that doesn’t mean these topics are any less relevant today. We may never see the back of asbestos.

What Does Asbestos Look Like?

Anyone carrying out residential or commercial renovations may have asked at least once what does asbestos look like? They think maybe by having an idea of what it looks like; they can avoid it or identify it while renovating.

Asbestos doesn’t have a big red label calling it what it is, which is unfortunate. Instead, it can be one of six different silicate minerals that look like shiny rocks in their natural form.

When you get a closer look, you’ll see each of those rock-like materials are made up of thin, fibrous crystals. When released into the atmosphere, these fibres can be deadly.

But you’ll quickly realise that asbestos doesn’t appear in its natural form in your home or business. Instead, it can feature in hundreds of different products. It can be in anything from textured paint and cement sheets to floor tiles, lino and roofing shingles.

Read more about asbestos, its features, and where to find it here.

Weatherside Cladding Problems

We took a break from the doom and gloom of asbestos to focus on another material that many homeowners were having problems with: Weatherside cladding.

Manufactured by Carter Holt Harvey, this cladding type was a tempered hardboard exterior material that featured on homes from 1975 to 1985. When it was brand new, it looked clean, tidy, and durable.

Though, as time went on, people began to notice a few problems. The wood fibres were held together with glue, which was then painted over. If the paint wasn’t maintained, or cracks and damage started to appear, moisture could get into the cladding.

It then wouldn’t be long until the cladding would swell, delaminate, and become soggy. It was withdrawn from the market in the 1980s.

Read more about Weatherside cladding and what it could mean for you here.
The Difference Between Serpentine and Amphibole Asbestos Groups

We mentioned earlier that six silicate materials make up the name asbestos. Those six minerals are further divided into two groups: serpentine and amphibole.

There is just one asbestos type in the serpentine family – chrysotile – while the rest fall under the amphibole family. We’ll give you a quick rundown on the different asbestos types below.

Chrysotile (white) – white, fine, short, and curly fibres with high heat-resistance. This asbestos type was used in many building materials in New Zealand before the 1990s. It also featured in gaskets, boiler seals, and automobile friction products.

Amosite (brown) – strong and heat-resistant asbestos type, largely mined in Africa. It poses one of the highest cancer risks out of all asbestos types.

Crocidolite (blue) – long, sharp minerals that break down easily. It was not as commonly used in consumer products.

Tremolite – creamy white to dark green. It wasn’t used commercially but often contaminated other minerals. It has been found in talc, sealant, and paint and could also be woven into cloth.

Actinolite – expands with the heat. This asbestos type was commonly used in plasterboard, paint, and sealant. It looks similar to tremolite.

Anthophyllite – grey to brown in colour and wasn’t used as a commercial product. Though, it was often found in talcum powder and composite flooring as a contaminant.

Learn more about serpentine vs. amphibole here.

Preparing Your Neighbours for Asbestos Work

Asbestos removal doesn’t just affect your property; it can also affect those of your neighbours. That’s why it’s crucial to keep your neighbours informed throughout the entire process.

Part of this process involves choosing the right asbestos removalist who will keep you informed so that you can pass that information on. Often, that includes knowing when the removal will take place, where it will take place, who is removing it, and their contact information.

Learn more about what it takes to keep your neighbours in the loop during asbestos removal here.

Super Six Roofing and Asbestos Removal

Super Six roofing is an asbestos-cement sheet roofing material that roof installers and tradespeople used to love. It was easy to mould, effortless to install, strong, and fire-resistant. But it had a catch that was discovered years later – it was exceptionally hazardous to your health.

Super Six roofing contains three asbestos types – chrysotile, crocidolite, and amosite. The combination of these materials means that asbestos removalists may be required to assess the situation.

This roofing type poses a risk for rainwater contamination, guttering contamination, and soil contamination. It can also cause asbestos fibres to fall into your ceiling space and insulation.

Have you got Super Six roofing? Learn more about it here.

That’s a Wrap!

2020 has undoubtedly been a year to forget. However, there is one thing that doesn’t let you forget it, and that’s asbestos. If you notice any damaged building materials that might contain asbestos in your home, or you’re about to begin renovations, it may be worth a call to a local asbestos testing and removal expert.  

Chemcare was named as one of the top asbestos removal companies in Auckland and in other regions.