Brunswick’s mix of post-war weatherboards, older brick units and frequent kitchen/bathroom renos means asbestos can be hiding in eaves, wet areas and old vinyl flooring—especially in homes built before 1990.
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We visually assess common external asbestos cement products often used on pre-1990 homes, including eaves linings, soffits, wall cladding and backing boards. We note cracking, delamination or weathering, because deteriorated cement products are more likely to shed fibres if disturbed during painting, gutter work or façade upgrades.
Brunswick properties frequently have older garages, laneway sheds or carports added decades ago. We inspect roofing and wall sheeting, internal linings and door surrounds for materials consistent with asbestos cement and related products, and we record condition and access issues that may affect safe maintenance or removal.
Bathrooms, laundries and separate toilets are high-risk zones for older wall linings, backing boards and adhesives. We visually check accessible edges, penetrations and any exposed substrates where upgrades have occurred, and flag areas where drilling for vanities, towel rails or re-tiling could disturb suspect materials.
We look for indicators of older vinyl tiles/sheet vinyl and adhesives that may contain asbestos, along with transitions where newer floors have been laid over old. Where subfloor access exists, we also note any suspect underlay or debris from previous floor removals that could present a disturbance risk.
We check around service entries and penetrations (pipes, ducts, cabling) for older backing boards and insulation-type products that can be disturbed during electrical, plumbing or HVAC work. This is especially relevant before installing split systems, upgrading switchboards or rerouting services.
We document where suspect materials are located and describe their condition so you can prioritise actions. Intact, sealed materials may be managed in place, while damaged or friable-looking materials require stricter controls. This helps you brief tradies properly and plan safe renovation sequencing.
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Get Visual Asbestos Survey as part of a comprehensive inspection package
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about our inspection service.
In Brunswick, we often see suspect asbestos-containing materials in external eaves and soffits, older wall cladding, and garages or sheds added mid-century. Inside, risk areas include wet areas (bathroom/laundry linings), older vinyl flooring and adhesives, and backing boards around service penetrations. A Visual Asbestos Survey focuses on these typical hotspots and records what’s accessible and visible on the day.
A visual survey identifies materials that look consistent with asbestos-containing products and documents their locations and condition. It does not automatically include sampling. If you need confirmation—such as before demolition or where materials are ambiguous—we can advise on the next steps, including arranging laboratory testing through appropriate channels so you can make decisions based on verified results.
Organise the survey before you finalise your scope or book trades, ideally before any stripping, sanding, drilling or demolition starts. In Brunswick, renovations often uncover older layers behind plaster, tiles, cabinetry and external linings. A pre-renovation Visual Asbestos Survey helps you identify likely asbestos early, so you can adjust design choices, manage access constraints, and get the right licensed professionals involved if required.
Yes. Older Brunswick apartment blocks and brick units can still contain asbestos in common areas and building services, including eaves/soffits, meter rooms, plant areas, backing boards and older flooring products. The key is access—some areas may be strata-controlled or not readily accessible. We inspect what we can access safely, document likely materials, and recommend next steps for strata or building management where further investigation is needed.
First, avoid disturbing the material—don’t drill, cut, sand or remove it. If it’s intact and sealed, management in place may be an option, particularly for external asbestos cement sheeting. If it’s damaged, deteriorating, or you’re planning works that will disturb it, you should seek advice from a licensed asbestos professional and consider confirmatory testing. We’ll outline practical next steps based on the location and condition.
Still have questions?
Contact us for more informationACE Building and Pest Inspections focuses on the pre-1990 materials commonly seen across Brunswick’s older homes and renovations, helping you identify suspect asbestos areas before trades start. Call 0413 163 187.