Doing some home DIY? Have a home built before the year 2000? You could have asbestos lurking behind your walls, floors, and ceiling. Asbestos Removals Marlborough investigates the top reasons you should test for asbestos before undertaking any renovations on your home.
Asbestos is a highly toxic fibre that was once hailed the hero in building materials. Being highly fire retardant while also having high insulation qualities, it seemed the perfect material for many industries. From fireproofing schools and homes, to flooring in commercial sectors and everything in-between. For these reasons it was readily utilised around the globe, until the discovery that this miracle fibre was the cause of irreversible health complaints and is still known as the number one cause of work-related deaths in the world.
This led to many countries making slow changes to restrict and finally ban this toxic fibre from their shores. However, with asbestos being so widely used, it will still pose a problem for decades to come. For homeowners, asbestos can cause more than just a huge headache and an expensive clean-up bill. It can also make you and your family very sick.
For this reason, it’s important to test for this toxic fibre before undertaking any renovation or home DIY project. Asbestos when not disturbed is not toxic, however once the particles are released due to a range of reasons, it can leave you with a big clean-up and your project quickly coming to a halt.
REASON #1 - Homes Built Before 2000
Most homes in New Zealand that are built before the year 2000 more than likely contain some sort of asbestos. This includes if your home was renovated before this time also. If you are considering a renovation or any building work, it’s highly advised to seek professional advice to have your home tested for any asbestos.
REASON #2 – Disturbing Asbestos
If you are a keen DIY enthusiast it’s important to remember that once you disturb asbestos, you are putting yourself and others at serious risk of illness and even death. Asbestos is easily disturbed during DIY projects for unsuspecting homeowners. Once disturbed you could be liable for a very expensive clean-up bill, not to mention the risk on your health. Professional testing and removal can prevent this occurring. As the old saying goes it’s much better to be safe than sorry.
REASON #3 – Wear & Tear
All buildings will go through a decent amount of wear and tear as a natural process of aging. Most will patch over these issues, however if you are dealing with asbestos, this crumbling damage could be releasing toxic fibres into your environment. It’s best to get a test to ensure the structure does not contain asbestos before attempting any patch work.
REASON #4 Earthquakes & Natural Disasters
Has your new or existing property had an EQC claim? Earthquake damage can cause asbestos to become airborne. If you think your home has any type of natural disaster damage, it’s a good idea to call in the experts for an asbestos test before undertaking any fixes on damage.
REASON #5 Weird Stuff
Got the dream renovation project, got the tools, the know-how, and the budget. But what on earth is this weird stuff on the walls? And these 1950s vinyl tiles need to go. Chances are they contain asbestos! It’s important to really understand what asbestos is used in, and how likely your home contains it – even in the most unusual places.
REASON #6 Buyer Beware
If you are buying a new home, it is advised to ask if the home has had an asbestos check. This is particularly important if you are considering a do-it-upper. Before you start dreaming of your renovation and breathing new life into an old building it’s best to get it checked and get an all clear before you start any work.
REASON #7 Selling Problems
If you sell a house that has asbestos in, that you are aware of you could be facing legal action for not disclosing this information. Having asbestos in your home will also lessen it’s value, so if you suspect…get it tested and get it removed.
REASON #8 You Don’t Know If You Don’t Test
The fact is you cannot detect asbestos by just looking at it. A professional will need to take a sample and ,have this checked at a specialised laboratory to check it is asbestos free.
If you suspect you have any asbestos or before undertaking a DIY, it’s best to call in the experts at Asbestos Removals Marlborough.