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Class B Asbestos Cladding Removal in Auckland – What Homeowners Must Know Before Renovating

Class B Asbestos Cladding Removal – Straightforward Advice for Auckland Homeowners

If your Auckland home was built before the early 1990s, the flat grey cement cladding on your exterior walls may not be just cement — it may be asbestos-containing cladding.
This material was common across New Zealand for decades, and thousands of homes still have it today.

The trouble starts when this cladding gets cracked, drilled, cut, or removed. That’s when tiny asbestos fibres are released into the air — fibres that can cause serious long-term illness.

That’s why Class B asbestos cladding removal exists. It’s the safe, legal method required for removing non-friable (bonded) asbestos products like cladding, soffits, fences, roofing, and vinyl tiles.

What Is Class B Asbestos Cladding?

New Zealand’s asbestos rules split removal into two types:

  • Class A: Friable asbestos — dusty, crumbly, extremely high-risk.

  • Class B: Non-friable asbestos — solid, bonded products like cement cladding.

Your asbestos cladding falls under Class B, but that doesn’t mean it’s harmless.
Once it gets damaged — even slightly — those fibres start escaping.

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Why Asbestos Cladding Is a Real Hazard

Asbestos cladding was strong, weatherproof, and cheap — which is why it was so widely used.
But once the sheets age, crack, or get removed incorrectly, the risks increase fast:

  • Fibres can spread into the soil

  • Wind can carry fibres into neighbour’s properties

  • Dust can enter roof cavities and living spaces

  • Drilling and cutting releases airborne particles

  • Pets and kids can track contamination indoors

And remember — asbestos fibres are microscopic. You won’t see them, but they’re still there.

How Licensed Professionals Remove Asbestos Cladding Safely

1️⃣ Testing & Identification

A licensed asbestos assessor takes samples of the cladding and adhesive.
It’s then tested at an accredited lab — because you can’t tell by eye whether it’s asbestos.

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2️⃣ Planning & Containment Setup

Before any sheet is removed, the team prepares a Class B Asbestos Removal Control Plan (ARCP).
This covers:

  • Work zones

  • Containment barriers

  • Air control

  • PPE

  • Waste disposal methods

  • Emergency procedures

The work area is sealed off with warning signs and restricted access.

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3️⃣ Careful Removal of Cladding Sheets

Professionals remove the cladding intact, using low-disturbance techniques:

  • Lightly wetting sheets to minimise dust

  • Using hand tools — no grinders, saws, or cutting

  • Lowering sheets whole without snapping

  • Double-wrapping each sheet in 200-micron plastic

Removing cladding properly takes patience — but it prevents fibres going airborne.

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4️⃣ HEPA Vacuuming & Cleanup

Once the cladding is down:

  • The area is vacuumed using HEPA-filtered vacuums

  • Surfaces are wiped and inspected

  • Any loose debris is collected and sealed

Only asbestos-trained workers can safely clean up this dust.

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5️⃣ Legal Transport & Disposal

All asbestos cladding is transported to a licensed hazardous-waste facility — never a normal landfill.
Every load is tracked using a waste manifest, as required by HSNO and WorkSafe NZ.

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Why Homeowners Should Never DIY Asbestos Cladding Removal

DIY asbestos work is one of the most dangerous (and most expensive) mistakes Auckland homeowners make.

Here’s why:

  • Cladding breaks easily when pried off

  • Broken edges release fibres instantly

  • Dust spreads into the yard, gardens, neighbours’ homes

  • Clothing, tools, and vehicles get contaminated

  • WorkSafe fines are severe for illegal asbestos work

  • Insurance won’t cover contamination caused by DIY

Professionals use the right gear, follow the law, and have the training to keep you and your neighbours safe.

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How to Tell If Your House Has Asbestos Cladding

Your cladding may contain asbestos if:

  • The home was built before the 1990s

  • The sheets look grey, flat, and cement-like

  • Brand stamps say Hardiflex, Fibrolite, Super Six

  • Edges appear fibrous when broken

  • Panels are brittle or chalky

  • There is historical cement-board cladding listed on property records

If you’re unsure — test before you touch.

The Bottom Line for Auckland Homeowners

Class B asbestos cladding removal is not a DIY project.
It’s specialised, regulated work that must be done by a WorkSafe-licensed asbestos removal contractor.

Hiring a professional gives you:

✓ Safe, compliant removal
✓ No dust contamination
✓ Proper waste disposal
✓ Accurate documentation for council & insurance
✓ Peace of mind knowing your home and family are safe

When asbestos is involved, cutting corners costs far more in the long run.

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