From the 1930s through to the 2000s, asbestos was one of the most popular building materials throughout New Zealand. It was inexpensive and had great insulation qualities meaning it was used on countless buildings, both commercial and residential.
Such was the popularity of asbestos that it’s estimated around one-third of all New Zealand buildings contain it in some form or another. It may be in the walls or used as an external cladding. It may be in the ceiling or within the lino flooring. Wherever it is, it can be dangerous and, in most instances, asbestos removal must be carried out by a professional asbestos removal company.
But how do you know if your house contains asbestos and needs professional removal?
There is more than one type of asbestos. For the health and safety of all involved in any building renovation, it is important to know whether the materials in your property contain asbestos, and what type of asbestos is present. This must be done before any demolition or renovation work is undertaken.
There is only one way to know for sure whether your building contains asbestos and that is to have it tested by an accredited asbestos survey and testing laboratory or a registered asbestos surveyor. Contact us for a list of these companies.
What are the chances of my building having asbestos?
The reality is, if your house or commercial premise was constructed between the 1930s to 1990s, or if it underwent renovations in those years, chances are it will contain asbestos in one form or another.
Sometimes renovations can be completed without disturbing the existing infrastructure of the building. If that is the case, then you may be able to work around the asbestos. However, under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 if a renovation or deconstruction is likely to disturb asbestos, a survey is required to identify and remove asbestos that may be affected by the building work. This invariably requires an asbestos test by an accredited testing laboratory.
If you are using a professional builder who suspects asbestos may be present in your building, they will require an asbestos test to be carried out before work begins. This is for their safety and yours.
If you are demolishing or renovating a building in Auckland, and you suspect it might need asbestos removed, contact an accredited Auckland asbestos removal company. They will help you arrange for a test and, if asbestos is found to be present, will remove it safely and dispose of it according to the regulations.
For more information about safe asbestos removal in Auckland, contact us.
