What You Need to Know
If you’ve recently discovered asbestos in your home, you’re not alone. Across regional areas like Greater Bendigo, Ballarat, and Central Victoria, many houses built before the 1990s still contain asbestos in roofing, eaves, walls, flooring and even fencing. Once identified, the next step is clear—safe removal by a licensed professional.
But before that can happen, there’s an important stage many homeowners overlook: preparation.
Preparing your home for asbestos removal helps keep your family safe, ensures the process runs smoothly, and allows your licensed removalist to carry out the job efficiently and in full compliance with Victorian regulations.
Here’s what you need to know.
Why Asbestos Removal Requires Preparation
Asbestos fibres are dangerous when disturbed. Even during professional removal, there is a small risk that fibres can become airborne if strict safety procedures aren’t followed. That’s why your removalist will use containment barriers, negative air systems, and personal protective equipment (PPE)—but the process still requires your cooperation.
Preparing the space before work begins helps:
- Reduce unnecessary exposure risk
- Avoid project delays
- Protect your belongings
- Save time and money
Good preparation starts well before the removal date.
Step 1: Identify the Affected Area
Once an inspection confirms asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in your home, your removalist will provide a detailed plan outlining:
- Where the asbestos is located
- What removal methods will be used
- How long the process will take
- Any areas of the home that need to be sealed off
This allows you to plan around the works, especially if removal affects bedrooms, kitchens or access points. If the job is extensive, it may be safer or more comfortable to vacate the home temporarily—even if the law doesn’t require it.
Step 2: Clear the Work Area
Before your removalist arrives, the area must be clear of furniture, personal items, and loose clutter. This reduces the risk of cross-contamination and makes containment easier.
We recommend:
- Removing all furniture – sofas, beds, bookshelves, desks
- Packing away personal items – photos, clothing, electronics
- Clearing cupboards or wardrobes – if asbestos is in walls or ceiling nearby
- Taking down wall décor – art, mirrors, clocks
- Rolling up and removing rugs and mats – fibres can embed in fabric
Where possible, move items to a room outside the work zone. If that’s not an option, your asbestos contractor may use plastic sheeting to cover remaining items—though that can slow things down.
Step 3: Secure Adjacent Spaces
Asbestos fibres can spread through open doorways, vents and even cracks in floors or ceilings if containment isn’t tight. Your removalist will seal off the work area using plastic barriers and negative air pressure systems, but it’s still a good idea to:
- Close off adjoining rooms
- Turn off ducted heating or cooling systems
- Seal internal doors and air vents if safe to do so
- Block off access to pets – asbestos dust can cling to fur
For multi-storey homes, this may mean isolating an entire level. In units or townhouses, neighbours may need to be notified if shared spaces are affected.
Step 4: Plan for Temporary Disruption
Depending on where the asbestos is located, you may lose access to certain rooms or facilities during the removal period. It’s best to plan ahead.
Ask yourself:
- Will we need to stay elsewhere for a night or two?
- Is our main bathroom or kitchen part of the work zone?
- Do we need to relocate pets or arrange care for children?
- Is there an alternative entry point if the front of the house is affected?
Your removalist will give you a clear timeline and let you know exactly when the home will be safe to re-enter. Clearance inspections and air monitoring may extend this slightly, but they’re essential for your peace of mind.
Step 5: Understand the Safety Measures
During the removal, your contractor will:
- Set up plastic containment barriers
- Use HEPA-filtered vacuums and negative air units
- Wear full PPE (including respirators)
- Follow EPA-approved waste removal procedures
- Conduct clearance inspections and air testing (if required)
Licensed removalists, like the team at Myers Asbestos Removal, will also dispose of all asbestos waste at EPA-approved facilities and provide documentation for compliance records.
These measures are designed to protect your home, your family, and your health. Knowing what to expect helps reduce anxiety and builds confidence in the process.
Why Choose Myers Asbestos Removal?
We specialise in safe, compliant asbestos removal across Greater Bendigo, Ballarat, and surrounding regional areas. Whether you’re preparing for a renovation or dealing with fire, storm, or age-related damage, we’re here to help.
Our service includes:
- Detailed asbestos inspection and testing
- Clear communication about what needs to be removed
- Practical guidance to help you prepare your space
- Professional removal by licensed and insured technicians
- Post-removal clearance inspections (with certification)
- Respectful, disruption-minimising approach to your home and belongings
We understand that asbestos removal can feel overwhelming—but with the right preparation and a qualified team, it doesn’t need to be.
Ready to Book Your Asbestos Removal?
If you’ve discovered asbestos in your home and need safe, professional removal, contact Myers Asbestos Removal today. We’ll walk you through the entire process—from pre-removal prep to post-removal peace of mind.
A little planning now means a safer, cleaner home tomorrow. Let’s get it sorted.