TL;DR
- If you think you’ve found asbestos during renovations, stop work immediately, isolate the area, and seek professional assessment before continuing.
- Older homes are more likely to contain asbestos, particularly in walls, ceilings, flooring, and external cladding.
- Common renovation tasks like demolition, sanding, and cutting into older surfaces can easily disturb asbestos-containing materials and release fibres into the air.
- Planning for the possibility of asbestos before demolition starts keeps everyone on site clear about what to do if suspect materials are uncovered.
- Asbestos removal and disposal must be carried out by licensed professionals in accordance with Australian Work Health & Safety Act & Regulations.
Find asbestos during your home renovation? Here’s what to do next
Discovering asbestos partway through a renovation is more likely than not to happen, largely because properties built before 1990 were primarily constructed with asbestos-containing materials. Once demolition or refurbishment begins, materials that have been lying dormant for decades can quickly bring a construction site to a standstill.
Asbestos left undisturbed in an older building is not automatically hazardous. The risks begin when it’s cut, drilled, sanded or broken, releasing fine fibres into the air and changing what appeared harmless into a serious health and safety concern.
If asbestos is discovered during renovations, the situation needs to be handled calmly, methodically, and in line with Australian safety requirements. With the right steps, it can be managed safely, and the project can continue. This article outlines what to look for, what to do immediately, and how to approach renovations responsibly.
Why renovations carry a large risk of asbestos exposure
Asbestos was widely used in Australian construction for much of the 20th century due to its strength, insulation properties and resistance to heat and fire. It found its way into cement sheeting, roofing, vinyl flooring, insulation, and a long list of everyday building materials. That’s why during renovations, it’s not uncommon to open up a wall and realise you’re staring straight at products that contain asbestos.
Renovation activities that commonly disturb asbestos include:
- Demolition of walls and ceilings
- Removing bathrooms and laundries
- Pulling up vinyl flooring and backing
- Cutting into the eaves or cladding
- Installing new plumbing or electrical services
- Sanding or drilling into older surfaces
The health impacts of asbestos exposure, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, typically develop many years later. That delayed onset often leads people to underestimate the seriousness of short-term exposure during renovation works.
Common places asbestos is found during renovations
When working on older homes, it’s common to uncover asbestos in both visible building components and concealed structural elements once the project gets underway.
Common discovery points include:
- Internal wall and ceiling sheeting
- Eaves and soffits
- Corrugated roofing and wall cladding
- Vinyl floor tiles and adhesive backing
- Cement sheeting in bathrooms and laundries
- Pipe insulation and hot water system surrounds
- Garages, sheds and older extensions
One of the most frequent mistakes we see renovators make is relying on visual identification. Asbestos cannot be confirmed by appearance alone, particularly if materials have been painted, sealed or partially deteriorated.
If a material is suspected, it should be treated as asbestos until professional testing confirms otherwise. Assuming it’s safe without testing exposes occupants and trades to unnecessary risk.
What to do immediately if you suspect asbestos
Step 1: Stop work immediately
Do not continue cutting, drilling, breaking or removing the material. Further disturbance increases the likelihood of spreading airborne asbestos fibres.
Step 2: Isolate the area
- Restrict access to the affected space
- Keep occupants and trades away
- Avoid sweeping or vacuuming
- Avoid fans or air movement that may spread asbestos dust
Step 3: Do not attempt DIY asbestos removal
In Australia, asbestos must be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist. Even non-friable asbestos requires strict handling and disposal. Attempting removal without proper controls can contaminate surrounding areas and significantly increase remediation costs.
Step 4: Arrange professional testing and asbestos management
Engage a qualified asbestos assessor to:
- Collect samples safely
- Arrange accredited laboratory testing
- Classify the material as friable or non-friable
- Provide guidance on next steps
Plan for asbestos before renovations begin
The safest renovation is one well planned before demolition gets underway. Delaying until asbestos materials are found during the project often leads to rushed decisions, disrupted timelines and a far higher risk of exposure than necessary.
For older buildings from the asbestos construction period, a pre-renovation check should be routine, not an extra. Spotting asbestos-containing materials upfront means jobs can be ordered right, with extraction done in managed settings before other workers arrive on site.
A qualified assessor can identify suspect materials, arrange laboratory testing and determine where asbestos is located and in what condition. This information forms the foundation for safe planning.
From there, the next steps can be clearly mapped out:
- Determine which materials will be disturbed by the planned works
- Classify them as friable or non-friable
- Engage licensed removalists where required
- Schedule removal before general demolition
- Plan for compliant transport and disposal
How professionals can help manage asbestos materials
There’s a reason an asbestos removal licence is required. Properly trained professionals bring experience and perspective that most builders simply don’t deal with in everyday construction. They can look at a renovation plan and point out which areas are likely to be disturbed, how that affects project timelines, and what needs to happen first so other trades aren’t exposed unnecessarily.
They also understand how easily contamination can spread if removal isn’t properly contained. A single sheet removed without controls can send asbestos fibres airborne and affect adjoining rooms, which then need cleaning and clearance before work continues.
Having professionals involved early keeps that from happening, keeps the paperwork aligned with WH&S requirements and allows the renovation to progress without avoidable delays, fines, or health risks. They can also handle asbestos waste disposal safely and in line with legal requirements, something no homeowner or business should attempt without the proper licensing and approvals.
Don’t risk asbestos exposure; leave it to the professionals.
We’re not suggesting that renovations are unmanageable or inherently dangerous, but they do require the right precautions when asbestos is a possibility. Taking the necessary steps upfront means the people working on site aren’t exposed unnecessarily and, if asbestos is found, there is already a clear plan in place to deal with it properly.
If asbestos is discovered, the priority is simple: stop work immediately, isolate the area and bring in licensed professionals to determine the next steps. It may mean a short pause in the project, but that pause protects the health of everyone involved and keeps you aligned with WH&S obligations.
If you suspect it’s asbestos, treat it that way and have it assessed by licensed professionals before any further work continues.
