FAQs on Asbestos

Asbestos is common in New Zealand and can be dangerous if not handled properly. A poor removal job puts you at risk, but with AASL, you can trust it will be done safely and correctly.

Your health is our top priority. Our expert Wellington team follows the highest standards to remove asbestos from your home or workplace efficiently, with minimal disruption. Unlike others, we don’t cut corners or take quick, careless approaches. The safest and easiest way to remove asbestos is to let us handle it professionally!

Check out our most commonly asked questions about asbestos

Where does Asbestos live in your home?

A typical house (like the one in the diagram below) that was built prior to the mid 1980’s could have asbestos in the building products. This is a risk to your family’s health and well being. Asbestos testing will highlight any suspect areas so you can take action. Eliminate the risk and ensure your family stays healthy and free from exposure to asbestos. Don’t delay, and contact us right away if you think there might be asbestos lurking anywhere within your home. Our asbestos testing services will provide you with peace of mind and a healthy home environment.

Infographic on where asbestos lives in your home

What products can contain asbestos?

Below are listed products that can contain asbestos in homes built before 1984. Any house built before and during the mid 1980’s should be checked for possible asbestos products, as these were commonly used in construction methods in New Zealand. For free, friendly and confidential advice please contact us.

ASBESTOS ROOFS
Commonly called ‘Super 6 Roofing’, these are corrugated cement/asbestos products which are grey in colour. Other types of asbestos roofs are cement/asbestos ‘Diamond’ tiles. Both products should be removed by professionals as incorrect removal can allow asbestos fibre into homes and contaminate ceiling cavities with asbestos fibre creating further clean up costs.

ASBESTOS TEXTURED CEILINGS
Sprayed on textured ceilings or soft texture finished ceilings can have a white or grey colour and sometimes with a silver or gold “fleck” through them. Other types of ceilings that may contain asbestos are Swirl/rag rolled plaster finished ceilings. Removal of these products requires tenting off of effected areas and all furnishings need to be removed from area before process can commence.

ASBESTOS INSULATION
These products can be found in homes as old heat insulation in ceiling cavity’s or around fire places and sometimes hot waterpipe/cylinder insulation.

ASBESTOS CLADDING AND SOFFITS (EAVES)
Soffits are often made from ‘Asbestos Cement Sheeting’ (AC) so it pays to have these checked before installing home ventilation systems or extending a house etc. AC is often used to clad parts or entire walls of houses and garages, some are flat sheet and other types are profiled to look like tiles or slate. Other areas outside homes to look for are asbestos guttering, downpipes and fencing. These are often made from a cement like product. The above products if not removed correctly can cause further contamination and incur further clean up costs, as soil may be come contaminated.

ASBESTOS BACKED LINOLUEM AND FLOOR TILES
Asbestos backed lino often has a distinctive backing layer, often cream or gray in colour with the consistency of heavily compressed cardboard. Tenting off the affected area is required for this type of removal process.

How to know if I have asbestos?

If you want to know if you have asbestos, one of our team members will arrange a date and time that suits you, to assess your home or workplace. We’ll come and take a sample then send it for local asbestos testing at an independent laboratory. It usually takes around 48 hours to get results back.

What to do if I have asbestos in my home or workplace?

If you do have asbestos we will supply a detailed and competitively-priced free quote, then arrange the best time to start work. Our team will work closely with you to make sure that the process runs as smoothly and seamlessly as possible, communicating with you every step of the way. You’ll always work with our team James, Ray, Sarah, Daniel, Rob, and Ayden from start to finish.

What’s the asbestos removal process in NZ?

Day one on site is usually setting up, lining the spaces with plastic and blocking off any areas as required. Then we will do the asbestos removal in line with Worksafe Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 and ISO 45001 standards. After that, we’ll get independent asbestos assessors in to do air testing, swab testing, or visual testing (depending on what type of removal it is) to ensure that all your asbestos has been removed properly. We’ll wipe everything down, let you back into your space, and supply a certificate of clearance to guarantee ultimate peace of mind!

How much does asbestos removal cost?

It sounds like a cliché, but it really is difficult to say exactly how much asbestos testing and removal costs without first assessing your home or commercial property. Above the obvious things like the scale of your asbestos removal, certain products, or areas are harder to remove. For example, what is the condition of your building, walls, subfloors, ceiling? How deteriorated is the actual material containing asbestos? And what is access to your property or area like? Generally speaking, when done correctly, Class B asbestos (like most cladding and roofing) costs less, as the materials are not friable, so they are less likely to give off as many airborne fibres. The best way to find out how much your asbestos testing and removal will cost is to get in touch with us for a free consultation and quote.

How long does asbestos removal take?

The time that we need to be on-site and blocking off spaces does range, but general interior removals like lino and ceilings may take around a week, where exterior cladding may take from half a day, to a few days depending on the size of it. We know it’s not ideal having work done at your property, so we want to make the process as efficient as possible to make sure you experience minimal disruption. Whatever your project, we’ll do everything possible to keep you in your home or workplace while we’re working, but if you do need to leave it will be for as short a time as possible.

Can you do asbestos subcontracting?

Yes! If you are a builder, architect, designer, flooring company, plumber, electrician, roofer, or insulation company, and are looking for a quality asbestos subcontractor, we’d love to hear from you too.

We work with contractors in Wellington, the Hutt Valley, Kapiti, Wairarapa, Levin, Palmerston North and everywhere in between!

Get in touch with us to talk more about what you’re looking for from a local asbestos removal company.

What is the Class A and Class B licence?

There are two types of licences for asbestos removal – class A and class B. The licence depends on the type and quantity of asbestos undergoing removal.

Class A Licence
The class A licence allows you to remove friable asbestos, non friable asbestos, and any asbestos contaminated dust or debris.

Class B Licence
The class B licence allows you to remove 10 square metres or more of non friable asbestos, like fibro sheets. Having a class B licence only allows you to remove the asbestos contaminated dust or debris that is directly associated with the removal of non friable asbestos.

FAQs on Asbestos

Check out our most commonly asked questions about asbestos

If we didn’t answer your specific question on asbestos, get in touch with us today. We are happy to answer any other questions you might have!

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