If you've recently found that you have asbestos in your property, you have 3 options to ensure you deal with it as safely as possible. As you may already know, it's important to treat asbestos with extreme caution as there are severe health risks. It's also good to know the pros and cons of each asbestos management - so you can make the right decision. 

1. Leave the asbestos alone

The easiest (and cheapest option) is to leave the area with asbestos completely and work around it. While this is not an ideal situation if you want to renovate, it will mean you don't have to fork out to get the asbestos removed. 

Pros

• Is basically free.

Cons

• You can't renovate any area with asbestos.

• May make it harder to sell the property in the future.

2. Encapsulate the asbestos

Encapsulation simply means that the asbestos will be covered or contained so there's no chance of it being disrupted. Usually this is done with a sealant applied directly to the ACM (Asbestos Containing Material) which is then painted, sealed and often covered by other building materials. For example if there was a property with popcorn ceiling (which is often rife with asbestos), one could seal, paint and then cover it with a faux ceiling. This would ensure that the asbestos doesn't get disturbed and become airborne.

Pros

• Not as expensive as removal.

• More assurance that you're preventing any airborne asbestos fibres.

Cons

• Still more difficult to sell the property in the future.

• May create further renovation work down the line.

3. Remove the asbestos

Finally, your other option is to remove the asbestos all together. This is the best solution if you're planning on doing renovations, or wanting to sell in the near future. When a property is on the market and discovered to have asbestos, it can put buyers off or decrease the price significantly. However after it has been removed, the risk has been eliminated and you'll be able to sell the property for more. 

Pros

• You have the freedom to renovate your property how you like.

• Will get more when it comes time to sell.

• Peace of mind that you won't come in contact with asbestos.

Cons

• It is the most expensive option, but it is definitely worth it.

However you deal with asbestos, be sure to think about the health and safety of all those who live in your property. When it comes to your home or investment property – it’s always better to be proactive rather than reactive. Get your house checked for asbestos before you plan on renovating – trust us it will save you from plenty of issues later on. Be safe, be sure with Chemcare.