Asbestos was once commonly used in homes and properties all over Australia, it was valued for its strength, flexibility and its powerful insulation capabilities. Before the carcinogenic nature of asbestos was known, it had already been put into widespread use. After the dangers involved with being close to the material was realised many home owners acted to try and get the product out of the homes. However, many properties, including offices and other commercial buildings, still have large amounts of asbestos, often because people do not realise it is there, or alternatively because people do not want to disturb it from its position which causes more harm than leaving good condition asbestos in place.

If you have moved into a new property you may be concerned about the presence of asbestos or have already identified it and want to know the best way to get rid of it. There are many professional asbestos removal services across the country who will be able to carry out the work for you, but there are several steps you should take to ensure the process is as smooth and safe as possible, for you, your family or your co workers. 

1. Identify if the property has asbestos in it

Unfortunately, asbestos cannot be seen as it usually hidden behind walls and in ceilings due to its use as an insulator. If you have just bought the property, contact the previous owners to see if they know for sure whether the property has asbestos, or whether they had it removed. If you cannot verify it, you can send a sample to a lab to have it tested, though if you are not confident in your skills and unwilling to take the risk, it is time to find a local asbestos removal service.

2. Hire a local asbestos removal service

A quick search will bring up a myriad of local contractors who will be able to advise you on the presence of asbestos in your home. They will take a sample and submit it to the authorities for confirmation. If it is present, they will be able to advise on the next action, and whether it is safe enough to be left in position. Often, it is safer to leave it in place than to disturb it, however if there is damage to the seal which keeps it in place is damaged and it is exposed, they will recommend it be removed. 

3. Do your due diligence before it is removed

If the contractor recommends removing the asbestos, you should ask for a thorough plan about how they plan to remove the asbestos without putting either you or your family at risk. Ask for recommendations from their previous customers, and ensure you are confident in their ability to make safety their main priority.