In this video, veteran builder, Mike Heathcote highlights some asbestos roof lining and how much it will cost to repair and remove dangerous asbestos trim around your home and property in Melbourne. Don’t risk your health – learn the devastating effects of this material and rid your property of it with Building Master Inspections.

A brief history of asbestos

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring mineral fibres that gained popularity in a wide range of applications due to its flexibility, durability, cost-effectiveness, chemical inertness and insulating properties. These materials were most popular in Australia from the end of World War 2 right up to the 1990s, before eventually being banned in 1992. The reason? Asbestos was discovered to be highly toxic: because the fibres are so small, they cause serious damage when inhaled into the lungs and can lead to several deadly diseases.

It took some time to ban asbestos due to how slowly these diseases develop – in fact, people can begin experiencing symptoms 20, 30 or even 40 years after exposure. Today, it’s estimated that one in three homes contain asbestos products in some form. If your home was built before 1990, the chances of asbestos being present increase dramatically.

Those most at risk are those who had prolonged exposure to asbestos as part of construction during this period, in addition to those involved in the demolition of any of these structures. However, it’s still important to be aware of the dangers of these toxic materials, even if you aren’t in a high-risk group.

Where in the home can it be found?

Unfortunately, the use of asbestos was so widespread that it is still present in many different areas. Here are some, but not all, of the contexts in which asbestos may be found:

  • Roof lining
  • Fibro cement
  • Insulation
  • Roofing materials
  • Paint
  • Fireproofing
  • Floor covering
  • Chimney flues
  • Garages and carports
  • Garden sheds

 

 

Identifying asbestos

The only way to be 100% certain of the presence of asbestos is by testing the material in a laboratory. However, a asbestos inspection can help identify the likelihood of it being an issue in a particular home by assessing a variety of factors.

Contact Building Masters Inspections today to find out more about asbestos in construction and what you can do to ensure the safety of you and your family. You can also watch the video above for more information on what asbestos looks like and where it may be found.