Fairfield has plenty of pre-1990 weatherboard and brick homes with older eaves, wet-area linings and garage roofs that may contain asbestos—especially where past renovations left mixed materials behind.
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We visually assess walls, ceilings, manhole surrounds, built-in cupboards and service penetrations for fibro and other materials commonly used before 1990. These areas are frequently disturbed during electrical, plumbing and HVAC upgrades, so knowing what’s there helps you avoid accidental fibre release.
We check likely locations for asbestos backing boards behind tiles, old splashback substrates, and sheeting around showers and laundries. Wet areas are often renovated in Fairfield homes, and demolition can turn low-risk bonded products into a higher exposure risk if broken up.
We examine eaves linings, gable ends and external claddings for fibre-cement profiles and deterioration. These components can become brittle with age and weathering, and they’re commonly affected when gutters, lighting or roofing is replaced.
Where accessible, we look for cement sheet roofing, ridge capping types, and older flue penetrations that may involve asbestos-containing products. We also flag cracked or delaminating sheets that may need specialist handling rather than standard repairs.
We inspect garages, sheds, carports and fences for asbestos cement panels and corrugated sheeting. These structures are often original or DIY additions and are frequently drilled, cleaned, or replaced—high-risk activities if the material contains asbestos.
For each suspected ACM, we note whether it appears intact, weathered, cracked or previously disturbed, and we outline practical controls. This includes when to leave undisturbed, when to seal/encapsulate, and when to arrange compliant sampling or removal by appropriately qualified professionals.
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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.
A visual survey is a strong starting point because it identifies likely asbestos-containing materials in accessible areas and highlights where disturbance is likely during renovation. If you need confirmation, the next step is targeted sampling and laboratory testing of specific materials. For any planned demolition, cutting, sanding or removal, treat suspect materials as asbestos until proven otherwise.
Common suspect items include fibre-cement (fibro) wall and ceiling linings, eaves sheets, wet-area backing boards behind tiles, cement roof sheets, older flue or heater surrounds, and some types of vinyl floor tiles or adhesives. The exact risk depends on the era of the build and later alterations, which is why we focus on transitions between old and new work.
A Visual Asbestos Survey is non-invasive and focuses on visual identification and risk assessment of accessible materials. We do not cut or disturb building materials as part of a visual-only survey. If you want confirmation, we can discuss arranging targeted sampling through the appropriate process so materials can be tested by a NATA-accredited laboratory (where applicable).
Renovations can leave older substrates in place, such as asbestos backing boards behind tiles, older sheet linings in adjacent rooms, or fibro around service penetrations. In Fairfield, it’s common to see newer finishes over older materials, which can be missed until demolition starts. A visual survey helps identify likely hidden risks and guides safer renovation planning.
First, avoid disturbing the material—don’t drill, sand, scrape or remove it. If it’s in good condition, management or encapsulation may be appropriate. If it’s damaged or in a high-traffic/work area, you may need confirmation testing and then a compliant removal plan by appropriately qualified asbestos professionals. We’ll outline practical next steps based on location and condition.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections will identify likely asbestos risk areas common in Fairfield’s pre-1990 homes and outbuildings, so you can plan renovations or a purchase with clear, practical next steps. Call 0413 163 187.