Master Builders Australia has issued a warning to all homeowners thinking about upgrading their property that they should assume their house contains asbestos.
DIY-ers should have their home checked by a specialist to determine if their property contains the harmful substance before starting any work, and if in doubt should err on the side of caution by presuming that it probably does.
Asbestos was commonly used in building materials until the 1980s, and can be found in components such as concrete, adhesives, floor underlay and drainpipes.
If the material is disturbed it can become airborne, posing considerable health risks to anyone who inhales it.
Homeowners are therefore being urged to first check the age of their property before embarking on any renovation work in order to determine the likelihood of the house containing materials manufactured before the 1980s.
If asbestos is identified within a property, residents should always hire a licensed specialist to dispose of the hazardous material and should never attempt to do so themselves.
If asbestos is identified within a property, residents should always hire a licensed specialist to dispose of the hazardous material and should never attempt to do so themselves.
