If you don’t live or work in new build property, then the likely hood is that the materials used to build your home contain asbestos. If you are considering any DIY work or renovations to your property, then you should consider seeking the help of a professional team to assess which materials contain asbestos and to get them removed in a safe manner.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring minerals made up of heat-resistant, soft, flexible fibres. Hundreds of consumer products worldwide still contain asbestos, it can be used as long as it makes up less than 1% of the final product. Asbestos exposure leads to cancer and other disorders such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, in older properties the asbestos content of materials could be a lot more than 1% and as such is extremely important that the materials are handled safely and removed professionally.
Why was Asbestos used?
From around the 1930’s to the 1970’s asbestos was used in building materials due to its durability and high resistance to fire. Despite there being stricter rules and regulations around the use of asbestos being used in building materials and products around the 1980’s there is a still a serious issue regarding exposure to asbestos so, if you have an older property, you should consider contacting Perth asbestos removal services to ensure that the materials are removed in a safe and professional manner.
Where was it used?
Pipe work – When old asbestos insulation around pipes and boilers begins to break down, asbestos dust can become airborne. Asbestos cement is found in some water pipes, which were widely employed in water distribution systems. Asbestos fibres may be released into your drinking water as a result of deteriorated asbestos cement water pipes.
Walls – Many older homes were built with fire-resistant drywall sheets, which can release asbestos fibres into your home when drilled or demolished.
Ceiling tiles and roof shingles – asbestos becomes a safety threat when it gets airborne, and ceiling fans may unknowingly transport asbestos particles about. Asbestos fibres might come loose and contaminate the air in your home if your ceiling gets increasingly brittle as it ages.
Floor tiles – Asbestos floor tiles were popular from the 1920s to the 1960s, and they can still be found in homes built as late as the 1980s. Before replacing any floor tiles in your home that you suspect contain asbestos, consult a skilled and accredited asbestos professional.
