Living in regional Victoria means preparing for unpredictable weather—strong winds, heavy rainfall, and even hail are part of life in the Greater Bendigo and Ballarat. While many homeowners know the risks storms pose to roofs, gutters, and trees, fewer realise that extreme weather events can also expose a hidden danger lurking in older properties: asbestos.
If your home was built before the late 1980s, there’s a strong chance it may contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in areas like roofing, wall cladding, fencing, insulation, or eaves. When weather damage disturbs or breaks these materials, dangerous asbestos fibres can become airborne, posing a serious risk to your health and the health of your family.
Where Asbestos Is Often Found in Older Homes
Before asbestos was phased out, it was widely used in residential construction due to its strength, insulation properties, and fire resistance. In regional Victorian homes—particularly those built before 1990—you may find asbestos in:
- Corrugated roofing sheets
- Fibre cement wall panels and eaves
- Ceiling insulation and backing boards
- Bathroom and laundry linings
- Vinyl floor tiles and adhesives
- Old fences and outbuildings
Storms can damage or shift these materials, especially if they’re already aged, cracked or deteriorating.
How Weather Damage Increases Asbestos Exposure Risks
Extreme weather doesn’t have to completely destroy a structure to make asbestos dangerous. In fact, minor damage can be enough to release harmful fibres. Some common scenarios include:
- Hail cracking asbestos roofing sheets
- Wind dislodging asbestos-containing eaves or external wall panels
- Fallen branches damaging old fences or sheds lined with asbestos
- Water damage accelerates the breakdown of internal linings or ceiling panels
Once asbestos materials are disturbed—whether broken, shattered, or crumbling—they can release microscopic fibres into the air. These fibres are easily inhaled, where they can become lodged in the lungs and lead to long-term health issues, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
What to Do if You Suspect Asbestos Has Been Damaged
Following a storm, it’s natural to check your property for visible damage. If you notice broken building materials, particularly in areas that could contain asbestos, you should:
- Avoid disturbing the area – Don’t touch or attempt to clean up debris until you know whether asbestos is present.
- Limit access – Keep family members and pets away from the affected area.
- Do not use high-pressure hoses or vacuums – These can spread asbestos fibres into the air.
- Contact a licensed asbestos professional – Arrange for an inspection to determine if asbestos is present and whether removal is necessary.
It’s always better to err on the side of caution. Asbestos fibres are invisible to the naked eye, and airborne exposure can occur even when damage looks minor.
Legal Responsibilities for Homeowners and Landlords
If you own a home or manage a rental property, you have a legal responsibility to ensure the premises are safe and fit for occupancy. In Victoria, this includes addressing asbestos risks when they become apparent. Landlords, in particular, must act quickly if a tenant reports storm damage involving potential asbestos-containing materials.
While homeowners can legally remove small quantities of non-friable asbestos (under 10 square metres), this is strongly discouraged without proper training and equipment. In most cases, the safest and most compliant solution is to engage a licensed asbestos removalist.
How Myers Asbestos Removal Can Help After a Storm
At Myers Asbestos Removal, we specialise in asbestos management for residential and commercial properties across Greater Bendigo, Ballarat, and surrounding regional areas. After severe weather, our team can help you:
- Conduct a professional asbestos inspection
- Test damaged materials for asbestos content
- Safely remove and dispose of asbestos debris
- Provide air monitoring and clearance certification
- Offer long-term management advice for asbestos in your home
We’re fully licensed and insured, with extensive experience helping Victorian property owners stay safe and compliant, especially when weather emergencies uncover hidden hazards.
Be Proactive About Asbestos Safety
Storms are unpredictable, but your response doesn’t have to be. If your home was built before 1990, it pays to know where asbestos might be lurking. Whether you’re recovering from a recent storm or want to be proactive ahead of the next season, now is the time to book an asbestos inspection.
Contact Myers Asbestos Removal today to arrange an assessment and keep your family safe—rain, hail or shine.