Renovating? Check for Asbestos First!

Not all property improvement projects are of equal importance. Some types of construction and renovation projects can wait, are optional, or can be shelved in favour of other more pressing repair or upgrade concerns.

On the other hand, there are property concerns that should be addressed urgently as they are literally a matter of life and death. The suspicion that there might be asbestos materials in the building you’re living in or working from is one of these.

So if you are thinking of renovating, check for hazardous materials such as asbestos or mould first. No matter how urgent or valuable the changes or improvement you need to make, there is still nothing more important than protecting your health and the safety and well-being of your loved ones.

Asbestos contains toxic fibres that can easily get airborne when disturbed. When this happens, the fibres can be inhaled or ingested and lodged into the lungs and other internal organs. These fibres are made of toxic material that can cause serious health problems from respiratory infections to cancers of the lungs, heart and stomach.

Asbestos precautions are especially important if the property you plan to renovate has been built from the 1950s to the early 1990s. Take these four steps before making any renovating moves to prevent illnesses and health complications:

Know the history of your home. The use of asbestos in Australia was so widespread until around 1985. If your home was built or repaired during those years, there’s a high chance that some materials containing asbestos may be present in the property. Find out the history of the building so you can take extra precautions as needed.

Be informed. Authorities have launched various campaigns to let the public know about the risks of asbestos, but many myths and hearsays still remain. Read up and get guidance from asbestos experts in your area so you can plan you next steps wisely.

Get tested. Cut the guesswork, cut risks and know precisely where asbestos might be present in your property. Confirming the presence of asbestos and locating it can only be done through asbestos inspection and testing conducted by licensed experts. If there is asbestos found in your home, an experienced assessor will be able to provide you with the appropriate recommendations depending on the location, volume and density of the toxic material.

Hire experts. The slightest disturbance can already make asbestos airborne. Thus, the biggest, costliest and most harmful thing you can do is to attempt to handle the asbestos yourself. Only qualified asbestos removalists should and are legally allowed to remove the asbestos and dispose of it properly.

Call Jim’s Hazardous Material Removal on 131 546 or book online now for your free no-obligation quote!