Was your Perth home built before the 80s?
If the answer is yes, then there is a chance your Perth home has Asbestos. Fortunately, if your home was built after the 1980s, then Asbestos is less likely to be present. Luckily, Asbestos has not been used in the Perth building industry since the 80s. However, the ban for all products containing the material was only brought into Australia at the end of 2003.
This is why we recommend staying cautious, as to this day, building materials may have been recycled in your home build. With its hazardous nature and wide use, this article covers what Asbestos is, why you should get rid of it and what to do once you have found its presence in your Perth home.
Firstly, what is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a unique mineral that can be separable into millions of fine fibres. Before the 1980s, Asbestos was added to many construction materials, which caused harmful effects on those who were overexposed from its dangerous elements. The brown or white Chrysotile (a type used more often) is often invisible once airborne, making it easy to inhale it.
Why was Asbestos used?
The use of Asbestos was prevalent in the past, with its benefits being that it is incombustible and durable, and the material could withstand harsh weather conditions. Used for insulation in properties, it was a popular choice in home builds in the 80s. This was before people realised it’s extreme health impacts. Despite the ban on Asbestos, it is still an ongoing concern today, and it is believed that it will continue to be for decades to come.
Where can Asbestos be found in the home?
Although a common issue, it can be difficult to identify its presence in your Perth home. It may be surprising to some that asbestos features in many more products than we think.
Here is a list of common materials Asbestos is found in:
- Floor and ceiling tiles
- Attic and wall insulation
- Corrugated walls and roofs
- Fences, garages and carports
- Asbestos cement
- Cement pipes and tiles
- Cement sheeting in walls
- Underlay carpet
Here are the lesser common materials Asbestos is found in:
- Laundries
- Lining under eaves.
- Vermiculite ceilings, AKA stucco ceiling, popcorn ceiling or stippled ceiling.
- Hot water pipes in masonry walls
- Lino tiles
- Roof sheeting and guttering
A building inspector in Perth will be able to pick up on Asbestos around your Perth home. Our job is to pick up on issues and advise on preventative steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Get in touch with our team of Perth building inspectors today.
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