What to Do If You Think You Have Asbestos in Your Home: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting an Asbestos Survey

Step-by-Step Guide for Homeowners Suspecting Asbestos and Getting a Survey

If you think asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are present in your home, taking the right steps to confirm their presence and ensure safe handling is crucial. Asbestos, once widely used in construction materials until the 1980s, can pose serious health risks when its fibers become airborne and inhaled. The first step toward managing this hazard is getting a professional asbestos survey. Here’s how to approach it.

Step 1: Identify Potential Asbestos-Containing Materials in Your Home

Where Asbestos Might Be Found Before seeking a survey, you should know where asbestos might exist in your home. Common locations include:

• Roofing materials and shingles
• Cement sheet siding and soffits
• Vinyl floor tiles and adhesives
• Popcorn or textured ceilings
• Pipe insulation
• Lagging on boilers or water pipes

If your home was built or renovated before the 1990s, asbestos is more likely to be present.

Important Tip: You cannot confirm whether something contains asbestos just by looking at it—professional testing is essential.

Step 2: Avoid Disturbing Suspected Materials

Why You Shouldn’t Handle Suspected Asbestos Asbestos is hazardous when fibers are released into the air. If materials that contain asbestos are broken, cut, or drilled into, they can release these fibers, which can be harmful when inhaled.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t cut, break, or drill into any material you suspect may contain asbestos.
• Avoid cleaning or power-washing asbestos surfaces, which can disturb fibers.
• Do not attempt to take samples yourself—this could expose you to dangerous asbestos fibers.

Step 3: Find a Licensed Asbestos Surveyor

Hire a Professional for an Asbestos Survey To confirm whether asbestos is present, you need to hire a licensed asbestos surveyor. These professionals will assess your property, identify areas likely to contain asbestos, and collect samples for laboratory analysis.

How to Find a Surveyor:

• Search for asbestos surveyors in your area via WorkSafe NZ directories or professional associations.
• Ensure the surveyor is licensed and certified under local regulations.
• Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or online reviews to ensure you hire a reputable surveyor.

Key Tip: Look for surveyors with experience in residential properties and compliance with WorkSafe NZ standards.

Step 4: Understand the Types of Asbestos Surveys

There are different types of asbestos surveys, and the one you choose depends on your situation.

• Management Survey: This survey is for general maintenance or management of asbestos. It’s non-intrusive and focuses on assessing ACMs in good condition and determining how to manage them safely.
• Refurbishment or Demolition Survey: This is a more intrusive survey, necessary if you plan to renovate or demolish part of your home. It identifies asbestos materials that might be disturbed during construction work.

Which Survey to Choose: If you’re not planning any immediate renovation, a management survey should suffice. However, if you’re planning renovations or demolition, the refurbishment or demolition survey will be necessary.

Step 5: Schedule and Conduct the Asbestos Survey

What Happens During the Survey Once you’ve hired a licensed surveyor, they will:

• Conduct a visual inspection of suspected asbestos-containing areas.
• Carefully collect small samples of materials for lab analysis without spreading fibers.
• Identify the locations and condition of any asbestos materials and whether they pose an immediate risk.

Cost Estimate: An asbestos survey generally costs between $400 and $800, depending on the size of your home and the complexity of the survey.

Key Tip: Make sure the surveyor follows safe procedures when collecting samples and minimizes disturbance to any potential ACMs.

Step 6: Receive the Asbestos Survey Report

What to Expect in the Report Once the survey is complete, you will receive a detailed report that includes:

• The location of asbestos-containing materials (if any).
• The type and condition of the asbestos.
• Recommendations for how to manage or remove the asbestos safely.
• Lab results confirming the presence of asbestos in the sampled materials.

This report is essential for planning any future renovations or selling your home. It also provides a clear strategy for safely managing the asbestos without putting anyone at risk.

Step 7: Plan for Removal or Encapsulation

Understand Your Options for Managing Asbestos If asbestos is found in your home, your survey report will recommend how to handle it. There are two main options:

• Encapsulation: This involves sealing the asbestos materials to prevent fibers from being released. This is a good option if the asbestos material is in good condition and won’t be disturbed.
• Removal: If the asbestos is deteriorating, damaged, or you plan to renovate, removal is the safest option. Licensed asbestos removal contractors must handle the removal.

Cost of Asbestos Removal: Asbestos removal costs vary, but you can expect to pay between $1,500 and $10,000 depending on the amount and type of asbestos to be removed.

Key Tip: Always hire a licensed contractor for asbestos removal. DIY removal is illegal and extremely dangerous.

Step 8: Ensure Legal Compliance and Disclosure

Follow WorkSafe NZ Regulations In New Zealand, asbestos management is strictly regulated by WorkSafe NZ. It is illegal to handle, remove, or disturb asbestos without the proper qualifications. Licensed asbestos professionals must handle removal and disposal.

Legal Disclosure If asbestos is found in your home and you plan to sell it, you are legally required to disclose this to potential buyers. Provide them with the asbestos survey report and any documentation of removal or management.

Conclusion

If you suspect asbestos materials in your home, the best first step is to arrange a professional asbestos survey. From finding a licensed surveyor to receiving a detailed report and following safe management recommendations, each step is essential to ensure the safety of your home. Asbestos is not something to handle on your own—always seek professional help to minimize risks and comply with legal requirements. Taking the right action now can protect your health and your property’s value in the long term.