Removing Asbestos From Your Home

The highest risk comes from ‘friable’ asbestos, primarily used in the past for insulation. Friable asbestos easily releases harmful fibers into the air, causing damage when inhaled. Although it is uncommon, friable asbestos can still be found in homes.

Another type is ‘nonfriable’ asbestos, which is asbestos incorporated into manufactured products known as asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

In the home, ACMs may be found in:

• Textured ceilings and linings
• Asbestos cement cladding, roofing, or water pipes
• Asbestos-backed or asbestos-containing floor coverings
• Soil, under/around the home

Assessing the Risk

As a general rule, limit your work to areas of asbestos-containing material that are less than 10 square meters. This guideline aligns with workplace regulations for handling ACMs.

Removing Asbestos-Containing Material from Your Home

The Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 mandate strict requirements for asbestos removal in workplaces. These regulations require a licensed asbestos removalist for any work involving friable asbestos (class A) or for nonfriable ACMs over 10 square meters (class B). Licensed removalists are certified by WorkSafe New Zealand. While these regulations do not apply to work in your home, they do apply to any professional you hire.

Due to health risks, the Ministry of Health recommends hiring a WorkSafe New Zealand licensed asbestos removalist for substantial asbestos removal.

Preparing Yourself and the Area

Before starting any work involving asbestos, follow these steps:

• Clear the area of people, pets, and removable objects.
• Line surfaces with polyethylene film and secure with strong adhesive tape.
• Place warning signs to keep people away.
• Secure windows and doors, sealing them with tape.
• Turn off electricity.
• Cover electrical circuits and close air conditioning or ventilation systems.
• Wear disposable overalls (with hood), gloves, and shoe coverings.
• Wear a properly fitting P1 or P2 dust respirator.
• Wet the area with a low-pressure sprayer to lower dust levels.
• Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking while working with asbestos.
• Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter and a bag.

Reducing Asbestos Dust

To minimise dust levels:

• Use hand tools instead of power tools or abrasive cutting discs.
• Avoid dry sanding of asbestos-cement products.
• Wet the material before sanding or cutting.
• Add detergent to the water to help soak the material.
• Use a low-pressure water system and a soft brush for cleaning asbestos-cement surfaces.
• NEVER use high-pressure water jets or abrasive methods like sanding.
• Clean up the area thoroughly and dispose of asbestos waste properly.

Sealing or Encapsulation

For sealing or encapsulating ACMs:

• Prepare the area and yourself following the checklist.
• Vacuum clean surfaces of loose asbestos fibers using a HEPA filter.
• Apply water-based PVA paints with a dry airless spray, using low pressure.
• Avoid disturbing the surface during application.

Removing Asbestos Sheets

When removing asbestos sheets:

• Follow the preparation checklist.
• Wet the sheets at all times to reduce dust release.
• Lower sheets carefully to prevent breaking.
• Stack and wrap sheets in plastic.
• Remove and dispose of waste promptly.

Removing Asbestos-Containing Textured Ceilings

To safely remove textured ceilings:

• Follow the preparation checklist.
• Thoroughly wet the ceiling with a water-spraying unit.
• Scrape off the material while keeping it wet.
• Bag and dispose of waste as you work.
• Clean the area thoroughly.

Removing Insulating Material Containing Asbestos

Since most insulation material is friable, consult a licensed asbestos removalist or a health protection officer before starting. Enclosing or encapsulating the material may be recommended instead of removal.

Removing Other Asbestos-Containing Material

When removing other ACMs:

• Follow the preparation checklist.
• Only use hand tools to avoid creating dust.
• Wet the compound thoroughly if covered by an outer layer.
• Keep surfaces wet when sanding or preparing for replacement.
• Clean the area and dispose of waste properly.

Managing Asbestos in Soil

For contaminated soil:

• Follow the preparation checklist.
• Clear the surface of visible ACMs and cover low-level contamination with uncontaminated soil or a hard surface.
• For high levels of contamination, seek advice from your territorial authority or a contaminated land practitioner.

Disposing of Asbestos Waste and Cleaning Up

After working with ACMs:

• Wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth.
• Gather all scraps and place them in heavy-duty plastic bags marked with “CONTAINS ASBESTOS WASTE”.
• Dispose of bags at approved landfill sites.
• Vacuum the area with a HEPA filter vacuum.
• Dispose of protective gear in waste bags.
• Ventilate indoor areas and turn on electricity.
• Shower immediately after completing work.
• Contact your local health protection officer for advice on ensuring the area is free of asbestos dust.

For safety, it is recommended to use a WorkSafe New Zealand licensed asbestos removalist for handling ACMs in your home. They are trained and equipped to perform this work safely.

For More Information

• Contact a health protection officer at your local public health unit.
• Read the Ministry of Health booklet “All About Asbestos” available on the Ministry of Health website.
• Refer to the Approved Code of Practice: Management and Removal of Asbestos.
• For dealing with asbestos in soil, read the New Zealand Guidelines for Assessing and Managing Asbestos in Soil: technical manual.
• Additional information on asbestos in the home can be found at Asbestos.com.

Don’t take risks with asbestos. If in doubt, seek professional advice.