Most Victorian homeowners are surprised to learn just how many places in an older property can contain non-friable asbestos. It wasn’t confined to one part of the house – it was built into almost every room, simply because it was the standard material of its time.
Here’s where to look, room by room.
Exterior and Roofline
- Roofing: Corrugated cement sheets on the main roof, garages, and sheds
- Eaves and soffits: Flat cement sheeting lining the underside of the roof
- External cladding: Fibro sheeting on weatherboard-style or project homes
- Guttering and downpipes: Moulded asbestos cement products
- Fencing: Flat or corrugated cement fence panels
Bathroom and Laundry
- Wall sheeting behind tiles
- Old vinyl or lino flooring and its backing
- Tile adhesive and grout in some cases
- Cement sheeting used as a waterproof base layer
Kitchen
- Splashback sheeting behind stovetops
- Old vinyl flooring underneath newer surfaces
- Textured or painted ceiling panels
Living Areas and Bedrooms
- Ceiling linings, particularly textured or “popcorn” finishes
- Wall sheeting under old wallpaper or paint
- Skirting board adhesive in some older installations
Garage, Shed, and Outbuildings
- Entire roof and wall structures, especially in older sheds
- Floor sheeting in some rural outbuildings
Underfoot and Underground
- Vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring
- Subfloor lining in some homes
- Stormwater and sewer pipes
- Water tanks, particularly on rural properties
Why This List Matters
The common thread across all of these is age. If your home, shed, or outbuilding was built or last renovated between the 1940s and the late 1980s, any of the materials above should be treated as a possible asbestos risk until tested. Newer renovations can also uncover legacy materials hidden beneath more recent surfaces – a common surprise during flooring or bathroom upgrades.
What to Do Before You Renovate
If you’re planning any work that involves drilling, cutting, sanding, or demolishing part of your home – even something as simple as hanging a new fence or updating a splashback – get the relevant material tested first. It’s a small step that avoids a serious and costly problem. Learn more about what non-friable asbestos actually is and why it needs careful handling.
We Know Where to Look
With over 10 years of experience across Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, and Riddells Creek, Myers Asbestos Removal has inspected more Victorian homes than we can count – and we know exactly where asbestos tends to hide.
Call Garry on 0433 305 521 for a free quote and a proper inspection before your next project begins.