If you live in or have recently purchased an older property, you should be aware that you may have asbestos insulation materials in your home. 

The construction industry in New Zealand widely used asbestos until the late 1980s, when concerns about the related health risks became more prevalent. Builders and construction workers used asbestos in various building materials, including pipes, floors, walls and insulation.

In this blog, we will discuss identifying asbestos in insulation materials found in older properties. Read on to discover the common types of insulation that may contain asbestos and how Consultex Environmental can test for asbestos content to keep you safe. Let’s get started. 

Asbestos in Older Properties 

Some older buildings still have asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) present. When these materials are disturbed, harmful fibres are released into the air, and they can be inhaled by anyone living or working on the property. 

Many homeowners, builders, and property managers are unaware of these fibres, as they cannot be identified with the naked eye. This makes them even more hazardous and poses a serious health threat to those exposed to asbestos materials, including asbestos insulation. The long-term health effects are detrimental and can lead to asbestosis, lung diseases, cancer, and mesothelioma. 

Common Types of Asbestos Insulation Materials  

It’s important to be aware of the common types of insulation that may contain asbestos so that you can take the appropriate steps to safeguard your property. This will include asbestos testing with the skilled team at Consultex. Some of the more common places where you may find asbestos insulation materials include: 

Walls & Ceilings 

If you notice a rough, popcorn-like texture on your property’s walls and ceilings, it likely contains asbestos. This is a common issue for homes constructed between the 1950s and 1980s, as builders sprayed asbestos insulation on the walls and ceilings, resulting in a textured surface for visual aesthetics. 

Floors & Underlays 

Another common method of using asbestos insulation in earlier construction was adding it underneath floors. Asbestos was also used in floor adhesives to lay tiles, linoleum or vinyl flooring. If these flooring materials are in your older home, they likely contain asbestos. 

Pipes

It was also common to use asbestos in pipe insulation in older properties. ACMs were commonly wrapped around water pipes, heating pipes and ductwork, with a white, grey or off-white appearance. Often, builders would then seal the ACMs with protective layers of paint or plaster. 

If you suspect any of these common types of asbestos insulation in your property, do not investigate the materials yourself, as this could damage the asbestos and release fibres into the air. Instead, the first step is to test for asbestos with Consultex to determine the asbestos type and amount present. 

Identifying Asbestos Insulation Materials

At Consultex, we provide asbestos services testing for materials, air and soil, and we carry out bulk sampling. Bulk sampling tests a small portion of suspected asbestos insulation material collected for laboratory analysis to determine the content. Similarly, soil sampling tests for quantitative and qualitative asbestos results in the soil levels on your site. An IANZ-accredited laboratory analyses all samples, and the results are compiled into a detailed survey report. 

Asbestos can be divided into two classes: A and B. Friable asbestos is labelled Class A, which means it can crumble easily into a powder or be crushed if moved and disturbed. Non-friable asbestos removal work is under class B, which means the fibres have been bonded together into another material such as cement, flooring materials, pipes, insulation and more.  

Before any renovation or demolition work can be completed, a pre-demolition or refurbishment survey must be completed. This ensures that all health, safety and legal compliance regulations are followed. 

Asbestos Surveys

Once the testing and samples have been analysed and confirmed to contain asbestos, an asbestos survey is used to identify the location of ACMs on your property. At Consultex, we use the most up-to-date software to carry out high-quality asbestos audits for residential, commercial, and industrial properties throughout New Zealand. 

Never remove asbestos from your property yourself. It is a legal requirement that anyone who removes asbestos holds a relevant WorkSafe asbestos license. This ensures that they have the proper training and qualifications to safely complete the removal of asbestos. 

Our team can review your contractor’s asbestos removal control plan to understand the scope of work required and oversee the removal. We can also monitor asbestos air quality during this process and complete a clearance inspection once the work is complete. An asbestos clearance is the last step required to confirm that the removal work has been successful and that the property is now safe to live or work in. 

Professional Asbestos Testing & Management 

Contact us today if you are concerned about asbestos insulation materials on your property. 

We can help you determine the appropriate asbestos testing method for your site and manage the safe removal of this harmful material. To get started, talk to our friendly team about a free asbestos sampling or consultation quote. Let’s protect your property and ensure the health and safety of all occupants.