You have found your dream home, paid your initial deposit, and have entered the cooling-off period. During this time, you have the chance to have a building and pest inspection completed on your new home to make sure everything is sound and in order before you continue to settlement. The current owners of the home may not even be aware that there is asbestos present, so this is where your own due diligence is required. Ensure that you are fully prepared and have the right knowledge to move forward with the sale, confidently.
The Dangers of Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural material made up of tiny, microscopic fibres. If asbestos is disturbed either in its natural form or if it’s contained in another products, the airborne fibres can be inhaled. If these fibres become trapped in your lungs, they have the potential to cause life threatening diseases. Being exposed to these fibres often during property renovation on older homes, may increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer, many decades after your exposure time.
There is no safe level of exposing yourself to asbestos – any amount can be harmful to your health. Builders and self-renovations are at great risk of exposure as they undertake maintenance, renovations or other building work which may contain undiagnosed asbestos fibres. Therefore, having a building inspection and detailed report about your new home is essential to make sure you are not exposing yourself to these harmful fibres. More information regarding asbestos health and facts risks.
Who needs an Asbestos Inspection?
If you plan on making changes to your home, or on a commercial property in Sydney, then it’s always best to complete a building and asbestos inspection. In particular need of an asbestos inspection are people like:
- Renovators
- Home Buyers
- Property Investors
- Property Managers
- Vendors
Asbestos was a popular building material in the 20th century, was used in most building constructions or renovations before 1990. If the home you are looking at purchasing was built pre-1990, it is almost certainly going to contain asbestos.
Where in my home could there be asbestos?
There is a wide range of products and materials that asbestos could be contained or used in. Some examples are:
- Cement roofing, gutters, and downpipes
- Fencing
- Out buildings,
- Cladding for walls and ceilings
What is an Asbestos Inspection?
An asbestos report requires a sample piece of material being tested for the fibres, our building inspectors are experienced in collecting and providing a detailed analysis of the current conditions of the home, and a plan to help make the home or commercial property safe under NSW regulations.
It is important that you know what building material have been used on your home, now and for future development or renovations you may wish to complete.
What rules apply to asbestos in the home?
Each state or council may have its own set of regulations and rules that you must adhere to when it comes to handling and the removal of asbestos materials, both in homes and commercial properties. If your home does contain asbestos and is left undisturbed, it might be deemed safe, and no further action is required. It is always best practice to have the property inspected by an experienced professional who knows asbestos and the safest way to remove it. Asbestos can only be disposed of in landfills facilities that have a special licence to do so.
Following the rules that apply to asbestos in the home is the best way you can be sure that your home is safe for you and your family.
What are the types of Asbestos?
Friable asbestos
When the material becomes dry it can crumble, or be pulverised, and reduced to a powder in your hands.
Non friable asbestos
This material cannot be crumbled, pulverised, or reduced to a powder when dry. It’s mixed with cement or another boding agent, can be also knowns as bonded asbestos.
Contact us for a pre purchase building inspection
A pre purchase inspection from Vital building, can help set your mind at ease and help you move forward with the purchase of your new or investment home. We are based here in Sydney and have a team of experts who can complete a pre-purchase building inspection, so you know your home is safe, sound and will be great investment for you and your family. Call us on 0401 012 074 for more information on how we can help with an asbestos inspection today!
