Can I remove asbestos roofing myself?
By Sydney Roofing Contractors|July 27, 2022
If your property was built in the 1980s or before, it might contain asbestos. According to the Australian Government, approximately 1 in 3 Australian homes may have used asbestos as a building material. Therefore, it is fair to wonder whether you can remove it yourself to protect your family.
Where can you find asbestos in your home?
Unfortunately, you can find it tough to identify asbestos just by looking at your home structure, as the building material is typically hidden away from sight. You can find asbestos in the cement roofing and gutters, as well as insulation under the roof.
But it can also be in other areas of your home, such as behind the tiles, underneath carpets, or even used as cladding for walls. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is to figure out what you are dealing with.
We recommend using the Asbestos Checker provided by the NSW government to identify the presence of asbestos based on the structure's appearance and location.
What are the health risks of performing asbestos removal myself?
It is crucial to understand that, when left undisturbed and safely enclosed, asbestos does not necessarily present a health risk. Asbestos fibres are harmful when inhaled. When broken or friable, they can access lung tissues and lead to several scarring and inflammation.
Inhaling asbestos has been linked to lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, and pleural plaques.
So, you want to ensure you have the right tools and PPE for the job ahead.
What does the law say about DIY asbestos removal in NSW?
It is legal to perform unlicensed asbestos roofing removals in NSW. Therefore, as a homeowner, you can legally decide to tackle your asbestos problem yourself. You can remove any amount of asbestos from your property. Alternatively, you can rely on an unlicensed tradesperson for the removal of up to 10m2 of non-friable asbestos. However, exposure can be dangerous, as fibres can break— the SafeWork NSW Code of Practice shares helpful safety precautions to minimise hazards during removal.
If you suspect your home contains asbestos, you have a duty to inform and protect others before and during the removal process. You must confirm the presence and amount of asbestos to plan accordingly. Additionally, health risks do not stop when asbestos is removed. You also must consider decontamination and disposal steps to protect your and people's health.
In ACT, it is strictly illegal to remove any amount of asbestos yourself.
When should you call a professional for asbestos removal?
We advise against DIY asbestos removal as the health risks are too high throughout the process. A Class A licensed asbestos removalist can help with asbestos roofing removals of any amount and even for friable asbestos. Professional removalists will handle legal notifications, follow the SafeWork Code of Practice, have the appropriate equipment, and provide full decontamination and disposal.
Additionally, professional removalists can also provide the clearance certificate required by some councils for safe removal.
In conclusion, residents of NSW can proceed to DIY asbestos removal of any amount or of less than 10m2 of non-friable material via an unlicensed contractor on their property. However, due to high health risks during and after the process, we recommend leaving the matter in the hands of specially trained and equipped professionals regardless of the type and amount of asbestos in your roof area.
Where can you find asbestos in your home?
Unfortunately, you can find it tough to identify asbestos just by looking at your home structure, as the building material is typically hidden away from sight. You can find asbestos in the cement roofing and gutters, as well as insulation under the roof.
But it can also be in other areas of your home, such as behind the tiles, underneath carpets, or even used as cladding for walls. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is to figure out what you are dealing with.
We recommend using the Asbestos Checker provided by the NSW government to identify the presence of asbestos based on the structure's appearance and location.
What are the health risks of performing asbestos removal myself?
It is crucial to understand that, when left undisturbed and safely enclosed, asbestos does not necessarily present a health risk. Asbestos fibres are harmful when inhaled. When broken or friable, they can access lung tissues and lead to several scarring and inflammation.
Inhaling asbestos has been linked to lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, and pleural plaques.
So, you want to ensure you have the right tools and PPE for the job ahead.
What does the law say about DIY asbestos removal in NSW?
It is legal to perform unlicensed asbestos roofing removals in NSW. Therefore, as a homeowner, you can legally decide to tackle your asbestos problem yourself. You can remove any amount of asbestos from your property. Alternatively, you can rely on an unlicensed tradesperson for the removal of up to 10m2 of non-friable asbestos. However, exposure can be dangerous, as fibres can break— the SafeWork NSW Code of Practice shares helpful safety precautions to minimise hazards during removal.
If you suspect your home contains asbestos, you have a duty to inform and protect others before and during the removal process. You must confirm the presence and amount of asbestos to plan accordingly. Additionally, health risks do not stop when asbestos is removed. You also must consider decontamination and disposal steps to protect your and people's health.
In ACT, it is strictly illegal to remove any amount of asbestos yourself.
When should you call a professional for asbestos removal?
We advise against DIY asbestos removal as the health risks are too high throughout the process. A Class A licensed asbestos removalist can help with asbestos roofing removals of any amount and even for friable asbestos. Professional removalists will handle legal notifications, follow the SafeWork Code of Practice, have the appropriate equipment, and provide full decontamination and disposal.
Additionally, professional removalists can also provide the clearance certificate required by some councils for safe removal.
In conclusion, residents of NSW can proceed to DIY asbestos removal of any amount or of less than 10m2 of non-friable material via an unlicensed contractor on their property. However, due to high health risks during and after the process, we recommend leaving the matter in the hands of specially trained and equipped professionals regardless of the type and amount of asbestos in your roof area.
