Asbestos Testing
And Inspections (Residential)

Who needs an asbestos inspection?

Asbestos inspections are included in Jim’s Building Inspections and are non-destructive, visual inspections of the property, specifically looking at:

  1. Exterior and interior roof spaces and materials
  2. Under the floor area including foundations, framing, insulation and ground moisture
  3. Interior/exterior of the property including windows, floors, ceilings and any specific services and systems
  4. Other structures on the site such as sheds and garages
  5. The site itself, including factors like drainage, retaining walls, driveways and fencing.

If asbestos is identified visually, and you are the owner of the property, then further sample testing of the material would be recommended.

Why is it Important?

Asbestos Inspections are needed before you start any renovation or maintenance work because it is estimated that 1/3 of all homes built in Australia contain asbestos.

When was your Home Built? Probability of Asbestos in the Home
Built before 1985 Highly Likely
Built during 1985 – 1990 Likely
Built after 1990 Unlikely


Source:
 http://asbestossafety.gov.au/asbestos-information

 

Get A Free Quote or CALL US ON  131 546

Different Asbestos Inspection Packages

Visual Only

    Package includes:

  • Full report
  • List of locations and condition of Asbestos
  • Management strategies
Visual + Samples

    Package includes:

  • Samples taken
  • Full report
  • List of locations and condition of Asbestos
  • Management strategies
Air Monitoring

    Package includes:

  • Samples taken
  • Air monitoring at affected locations
  • Full report
  • List of locations and condition of Asbestos
  • Management strategies

*Sampling is always required to give a 100% asbestos confirmation.  We only use NATA certified laboratories. Click here for the full terms and conditions relating to the Jim’s Building Inspections Asbestos inspection and Condition report.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What areas do we service?

We service the majority of New Zealand with key locations in metropolitan and regional areas.

How is an asbestos inspection is carried out?

  • Identification of building materials suspected to contain asbestos
  • Description of the condition of the suspected asbestos containing materials
  • Identification of urgent and serious safety hazards

If the inspection includes Sampling services, we will safely remove small (20c piece) size samples of building materials.

We will seal the area affected by the sample removal and we always select unobtrusive, low risk locations to remove samples wherever possible.

Before we leave, we will speak with you regarding any suspected Asbestos containing materials which we believe are highly likely to have a positive lab result and which may be in a condition that means that they are an urgent and serious safety hazard.

Lab analysis of samples may take 1-3 working days.

After that time a full report including the confirmed findings from the lab results will be provided.  In the report we will discuss safe asbestos management and recommendations regarding safe removal of asbestos.

As we have no financial relationship with any Asbestos Removal company you are assured of impartial advice free of the financial bias a removal company may have.

Items provided with your Asbestos Inspection Report include:

  • A record of locations
  • A record of the condition of the item in each area
  • Advice regarding its management
  • Photographic information
  • Lab analysis reports

What kind of inspection do I need for a workplace?

Are you a business? It is most likely you need a Workplace Register and Management Plan (click here for more information).

What is an Asbestos Inspection?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral rock made up of many small, strong fibers. These fibers are highly resistant to heat, fire and chemicals which once made it a popular material for:

  • asbestos-cement cladding and roofing
  • backing material for floor tiles and vinyl sheets
  • insulation board for thermal protection (eg, around fireplaces)
  • textured ceilings and sprayed-on wall surfaces
  • lagging for insulation around pipes, heaters and hot water cylinders

Asbestos was mainly imported and used in New Zealand before the 1980s. Once the health risks of asbestos were known, its use was gradually stopped, and other materials used instead. However, products and appliances with asbestos content may still be around, particularly in New Zealand homes built before 1984.

(source: http://www.health.govt.nz)

If your home was built before 1984, it is essential that before starting any renovation or maintenance work on your home, a visual asbestos inspection and possibly asbestos sample testing is conducted to identify where the asbestos is in your house and to understand what condition its in.