Northcote’s older weatherboard homes and renovated period properties often hide asbestos in eaves, wet areas and old outbuildings—spot risks before you sand, drill or demolish.
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We visually check accessible eaves, soffit linings, gable ends and older external wall panels that may be fibro cement. These areas are often disturbed during repainting, gutter replacement, solar installs or extension tie-ins, so identifying suspect sheeting early reduces the chance of fibre release.
Bathrooms, laundries and kitchens are assessed for older wall/ceiling linings, splashback substrates and service penetrations around plumbing. Wet areas are frequently remodelled in Northcote, and drilling for taps, vanities and exhaust fans can disturb asbestos cement sheeting if it remains behind tiles or newer linings.
We look for older vinyl tiles/sheet vinyl and signs of black mastic or underlay that may be associated with asbestos-containing products. We also assess thresholds and areas where old flooring meets new, as partial floor updates can leave hazardous layers trapped underneath.
Older garages, workshops and boundary structures are reviewed for fibro wall/roof linings and cement sheet fences. These are common DIY demolition targets, and a visual survey helps you avoid breaking or cutting suspect sheets without a safe removal plan.
If safely accessible, we visually note insulation types, old ducting, flue penetrations and cement sheet fragments in roof spaces, plus any suspect debris under the house. These hidden zones can contain leftover building materials from past works that become a problem during rewires, ducted heating installs or plumbing upgrades.
We document suspect materials with photos and location notes so you can brief your renovator, electrician or plumber accurately. The report highlights what can often be managed in place versus what may warrant sampling or licensed removal, depending on condition and your planned work.
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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 Northcote, we often see suspect asbestos materials in external eaves and soffits, older wet-area wall/ceiling linings, garage and shed panels, and around service penetrations where past renovations have occurred. Older vinyl flooring and adhesive layers can also be a concern. A Visual Asbestos Survey helps pinpoint these higher-risk spots so you can plan works without disturbing them.
A visual survey is a strong first step because it identifies likely asbestos locations and helps you plan safely. However, visual inspection cannot confirm asbestos—only laboratory testing can. If you’re planning demolition, sanding, drilling, or removing wet-area linings, we’ll recommend where targeted sampling should be considered so your renovation scope and safety controls are appropriate.
This service is visual only. We identify suspect materials, document them, and explain what would require confirmation. If you need sampling and lab testing, we’ll outline the safest next steps and what to ask for, particularly if materials are damaged, friable, or likely to be disturbed by upcoming works. This keeps your decision-making clear and avoids unnecessary disturbance.
Many Northcote homes have been updated in stages, which can leave older asbestos materials concealed behind newer linings, tiles, cabinetry or cladding. The risk increases when trades cut new openings for exhaust fans, downlights, plumbing or electrical runs through those older layers. A Visual Asbestos Survey focuses on these “old meets new” junctions to flag where extra caution or testing is most sensible.
If we observe suspect materials that appear deteriorated or likely to release fibres if disturbed, we’ll note the condition, the reason it’s higher risk, and practical containment actions (such as avoiding access, not sweeping, and not drilling). We’ll also recommend the next step—typically confirmation testing and/or engaging a suitably qualified asbestos professional for management or removal before any work proceeds.
Still have questions?
Get in TouchACE Building and Pest Inspections will pinpoint likely asbestos in older Northcote homes and provide clear next steps before you renovate, repair or buy. Call 0413 163 187.