topic Re: Asbestos in Community Spirit

Asbestos

***super_nova*** — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 00:03:01 GMT

there is some cement sheeting on our shed. It looked old when we bought this house almost 20 years ago. How likely it is asbestos, and how do we find out?

Re: Asbestos

lurker172602 — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 00:23:10 GMT

I would say, assume it is until you KNOW it isn't.

Im sure there are govt agencies who could tell you who to check with. Probably different from state to state.

Re: Asbestos

lurker172602 — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 00:25:06 GMT

I found these contacts on a Comcare pdf

Australian Government – Department of Health and Ageing
www.health.gov.au 1800 020 103
ACT
www.asbestos.act.gov.au/home_owners 13 22 81
NSW
www.nsw.gov.au/fibro 13 10 50
NT
www.health.nt.gov.au/Environmental_Health/Asbestos_ Management/index.aspx
08 8922 7152
QLD
www.deir.qld.gov.au/asbestos/ 13 74 68
SA
www.safework.sa.gov.au 1300 365 255
TAS
www.asbestos.tas.gov.au/ 1300 366 322
VIC
www.health.vic.gov.au/environment/home/asbestos.htm 1300 761 874
WA
www.public.health.wa.gov.au/3/1143/2/asbestos_in_the_home.pm 08 9399 4999

Re: Asbestos

horizon1907 — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 00:26:21 GMT

@***super_nova*** wrote:
there is some cement sheeting on our shed. It looked old when we bought this house almost 20 years ago. How likely it is asbestos, and how do we find out?

I would suggest to call in an Expert on the matter. Council Inspector etc. It may or not be an issue.

Re: Asbestos

lal-au0 — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 00:27:37 GMT

https://asbestossafety.gov.au/organisation-links#regulators

https://asbestossafety.gov.au/search-disposal-facilities

Re: Asbestos

goldenjet16 — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 02:37:14 GMT

Old tiles had asbestos in them for fire protection... You should have them inspected, it's common in older materials.

Re: Asbestos

imastawka — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 02:43:44 GMT

If it looked 'old' 20 years ago, I'd say it's odds on that

it's asbestos.

Gunna cost an arm and a leg to have it removed by professionals

Re: Asbestos

youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 02:56:10 GMT

Do you have any info, drawings, plans etc from when you bought the property? They might show what the material is- your local Council may have more info as well.

We bought a 60s warehouse and decided to replace the roof, which was asbestos. Contrary to what seems to be popular opinion, it wasnt as expensive to remove and replace as we were lead to believe by others..and we had to get a crane and put scaffolding up on the street level.

We were told asbestos is only a problem if its been damaged- then the fibres are airborn..

***super_nova***, are you looking to replace your roof because its damaged?

Re: Asbestos

goldenjet16 — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 02:58:44 GMT

They have to be removed professionally. In order not to be broken..

Re: Asbestos

lloydslights — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 02:59:27 GMT

What's the reason for wanting to know Super? Thinking of pulling the shed down, or just because it's asbestos you want that sheeting gone?

DEB

Re: Asbestos

lyndal1838 — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 03:00:06 GMT

I would approach the local Council first.....their records should show when the shed was built which in turn would tell you how likely it is that there is asbestos.

As long as it is not broken or damaged in any way it should not be a problem and even less so if it is painted.

Re: Asbestos

imastawka — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 03:06:48 GMT

@lyndal1838 wrote:
I would approach the local Council first.....their records should show when the shed was built which in turn would tell you how likely it is that there is asbestos.

Putting a lot of faith into Council records.

A lot of I~~talians~~ ~~immigrants~~ people in those days didn't believe in permits

Re: Asbestos

lyndal1838 — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 03:29:21 GMT

And who is to say the Council does not have a record of when it was built?

It may even have been built at the same time as the house in which case it should be on the records.

If you don't ask you will never know.

Re: Asbestos

katymatey* — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 03:39:19 GMT

Almost certainly asbestos cement sheet.

I shudder when I remember neighbours kids (out of control lol) kicking the back out of their old garden shed. I now realise it was asbestos.

Re: Asbestos

the_hawk* — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 04:40:48 GMT

I believe it was 1984 they stoped using asbestos and started using Fibre cement sheeting, so if it pre dates 1984 it will be asbostos.

Google the date change over as I have been wrong before

Re: Asbestos

***super_nova*** — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 06:42:07 GMT

Thanks for all the response. It is just a small area in the back of the shed, 2m x2m. The rest of the shed has been clad in corrugated iron. It is intact, so I am not too worried about it, but one day it will have to be taken down. I just wondered if there is any way asbestos looks differently from hardiplanks.

The shed was not built with permit, and it has been there for ever, but when the cement sheeting was done is anybody's guess. Asbestos sheets were stopped being manufactured in 1981, but that does not mean they were not used; people could have them sitting somewhere. I cannot see any writing on it.

Re: Asbestos

lloydslights — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 06:54:22 GMT

Personally, I would just leave it in place. And ensure it is painted on inner (if not lined) and exterior surfaces.

Put on facemask. Spray with water to handbrush clean. Paint.

DEB

Re: Asbestos

opmania — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 14:44:47 GMT

if I remember rightly asbestos has a slight grey color to it

one side of the sheet is very smooth and the other has a dimpled effect

Re: Asbestos

***super_nova*** — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 21:07:42 GMT

I might spray paint it to seal it, just in case. I think Hardie's used the same dimply molds for a while after phasing out asbestos.

Re: Asbestos

lurker172602 — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 22:14:35 GMT

Just in reference to the mention of cost up there somewhere ^^^^^^^^^

We are about to start a reno/extension and have asbestos sheeting that has to be removed. Our builder told us there is very little extra expense in getting it professionally removed. The important part being professional. He told us they would be the only people allowed on site that day, but other than that it would all be fine.