Usual Locations Where There May Be Asbestos

Asbestos removal experts have an eye for asbestos. They know where to look for it, where it might be lurking, and can sometimes even identify vinyl containing asbestos just by looking at it.

We know, of course, that asbestos sampling and testing is the most effective way to confirm the presence of asbestos, but are there ‘usual’ places where it might be hiding? As it turns out, there are, and you might find this dangerous natural mineral in your home in some of the following locations.

Roofs and Ceilings

It makes sense to start from the top, and your roof is undoubtedly a common place to find asbestos if your home was built or renovated before the year 2000. While the roofs of many homes in Aotearoa New Zealand feature innocent materials like corrugated iron, asphalt shingles, concrete tiles, and slate shingles, some older houses in the ‘asbestos age’ were also roofed with corrugated cement (known as Super Six) and decramastic roof tiles.

Super Six was particularly popular as a roofing material for its fire resistance, robustness, easy moulding, and straightforward installation process. However, we now know that the asbestos within it poses a risk to our health. Exposure to friable asbestos from such materials can lead to severe health conditions like various cancer types, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.

But the roof is not the only place you might find asbestos. Some homes also have ceiling products made with asbestos, such as textured ‘popcorn’ ceilings and asbestos ceiling tiles. You might also find that downpipes and gutters can also be contaminated with asbestos. Calling asbestos removal experts to learn about your options can sometimes be necessary for ensuring your family’s health and safety.

Exterior House Cladding

Builders were spoilt for choice when it came to the materials they used in house cladding before 2000. Sadly, many of the materials they used contained asbestos, and homeowners are picking up the pieces of these decisions today.

Many residential dwellings contained cladding products such as Fibrolite asbestos fibre cement boards, Durock, Hardiflex or Hardiplank, Darditherm, and Shadowline, just to name a few. Typically, homeowners can confirm the presence of asbestos cladding products like fibre cement tiles and Hardiplank-style asbestos weatherboards by requesting testing through their local asbestos testing and removal company.

Electrical Components

If your home was built before the early 1980s, namely 1983, and you’ve undertaken no renovations involving your electrical components, there’s a good chance they contain asbestos. Electrical meter boards, fuse backings, and the fuses themselves all used to contain asbestos.

Testing and removal is not a job you can undertake independently due to the risks associated with both the electricity and the asbestos. Therefore, it might be in your best interests to contact an electrician and asbestos removal expert to learn more about your replacement options.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

Pay attention to the flooring in your kitchen and bathroom, as there’s a chance vinyl laid from the 1950s to the late 1980s contained asbestos. Asbestos was popular in vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring because it was fire-resistant, stain-resistant, and affordable. At the time, no one knew the truth: asbestos vinyl flooring could eventually become a health hazard.

Fortunately, you have options if you identify asbestos vinyl in your home. You might hire asbestos removalists to remove it, or you might cover the flooring with a hardboard product to encapsulate it and place new flooring over the top.

Home Heating Products

You would have likely replaced old fires from the 1980s and earlier by now, but if you haven’t, it’s worth being aware that they might contain asbestos. Fireplaces, flues, and chimneys can all contain asbestos rope surrounding the doors, asbestos cement, and even asbestos insulating boards within the ceiling cavity. If you have an older-style gas fire, it might even be present in the artificial ashes and embers.

While many homes are now moving away from fires in favour of more energy-efficient and cleaner forms of heating like heat pumps, many people still rely on fires. If you’ve been thinking about replacing your fire, keeping this in mind might assist with the decision-making process.

Find Out for Sure With Chemcare Asbestos Removal Experts

You can easily assume that any home built before the 2000s and certainly before 1990 contains asbestos in NZ. However, you can’t know for sure just by looking at it. Gain a sense of certainty and plan your next move by undertaking asbestos testing.

Asbestos testing is fast, convenient, and easy with the right asbestos experts on your side. Why not contact Chemcare today to find out what’s involved? You can then learn what you need to know to keep yourself and your family safe before undertaking significant home renovations.