Asbestos Kitchen Removal Melbourne

Asbestos Kitchens

There are serious health and safety concerns that one should keep in mind while renovating your kitchen. Asbestos products were extensively used inside houses as wall sheeting, particularly in wet areas such as the kitchen as waterproof panelling.

Asbestos can be found in walls, splashbacks, ceiling, drywall and hot water insulation. Asbestos was also commonly used as a backing sheet for vinyl and ceramic tile floors and can even be found in tile adhesive (glue used for kitchen flooring materials).

That’s why it’s important to identify asbestos products in your bathroom before you start renovating and have them removed safely to reduce the risk.

Where asbestos is found in kitchens

Older kitchens can hide asbestos in several places, especially in homes built or renovated before the mid 1980s. It is often only discovered once cabinets come out, so identifying it early keeps your renovation on track. Common kitchen asbestos materials include:

Vinyl floor tiles, sheet vinyl and the backing underneath
Fibro wall sheeting behind cabinets and splashbacks
Splashback panels and heat shields near stoves
Ceiling sheets, particularly in extensions and meals areas
Old range hood flues and heater flues nearby

Mid century kitchens in Brighton, and original kitchens in homes around Dandenong and Frankston, commonly have at least one of these materials. We can also look after related work such as asbestos ceiling removal or asbestos bathroom removal if you are renovating more than one room.

Our asbestos kitchen removal process

We work in with your kitchen supplier and builder so the new kitchen can go in on time:

Test first: we confirm suspect materials with asbestos testing before the old kitchen is pulled out.
Plan the order: we agree whether cabinets come out first or are removed with the linings behind them.
Disconnect services: your plumber, electrician and gas fitter make services safe before we begin.
Isolate the space: the kitchen is sealed off from living areas with plastic and signs.
Remove carefully: sheets, splashbacks and flooring are removed whole or with low dust methods.
Clean thoroughly: surfaces, frames and floors are HEPA vacuumed and wet wiped.
Dispose and clear: waste goes to an authorised facility, and a clearance certificate can be arranged.

Planning your kitchen renovation around removal

A little planning keeps your new kitchen on schedule. Book asbestos testing when you are choosing designs, not the week before installation, so there is time to plan removal. Confirm with your kitchen supplier and builder who will remove the old cabinets and appliances, and whether that happens before or during our work. Clear the benches, pantry and nearby rooms, and plan where you will cook and eat while the kitchen is out of action. If your meals area, laundry or family room shares the same flooring, it can make sense to remove it all at once. Once we have finished and the area is clean, your builder can move straight on to new linings, flooring and cabinets.

What affects the cost

We quote kitchen jobs after an inspection. The main factors are:

How many surfaces contain asbestos, such as floor, walls and ceiling
The floor area and number of vinyl or underlay layers
Whether cabinets and appliances are still in place
Access through the house for waste removal
Connected areas such as a meals room, pantry or laundry

Your safety and compliance

Kitchen renovations involve plenty of cutting, drilling and scraping, which are exactly the activities that release asbestos fibres. WorkSafe Victoria requires a licensed removalist for more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos, and for any friable asbestos. Knowing what is in your kitchen before demolition protects your family and every trade on site.

Asbestos waste must be securely wrapped and taken to a facility authorised to accept it, in line with EPA Victoria requirements. It cannot go into a general skip with the old cabinets. We are registered with the EPA in Victoria and handle the waste properly.

We work across Melbourne, including Chelsea and Mornington. Get a free quote for your asbestos kitchen removal.

Asbestos kitchen removal: common questions

Should I test for asbestos before ordering a new kitchen?

Yes, it is a good idea. Finding asbestos after the old kitchen is out can delay installation and trades. Testing early lets you plan removal into your timeline, so the space is cleared and ready when your new cabinets arrive. It also helps your builder quote accurately.

Can I remove the old cabinets myself?

Cabinets themselves are rarely asbestos, but they are often fixed to fibro walls or sit on asbestos vinyl flooring. Pulling them out can crack sheets or tear flooring. If asbestos has been identified, talk to us first so we can plan the safest order of work, or remove the cabinets as part of our job.

Is asbestos under my kitchen floor dangerous?

Asbestos in vinyl tiles or backing is generally low risk when intact and covered. The risk rises when it is sanded, scraped or broken during renovations. If you are replacing the floor, have the material tested and, if it contains asbestos, removed by professionals before new flooring goes down.

How long does asbestos kitchen removal take?

Timing depends on the size of the room, how many materials contain asbestos and whether the cabinets are still in place. A small area of flooring is much quicker than a full strip out of walls, floor and ceiling. We will give you an estimated timeframe with your quote and work with your builder so the new kitchen can go in as planned.

THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF YOUR FAMILY IS OUR PRIORITY

If you’re worried about asbestos in your kitchen, don’t be. There are easy ways to remove it and keep your family safe. Asbestos is a material that was commonly used in construction and insulation, but it can be dangerous if it’s not removed correctly. If you have asbestos in your kitchen, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to remove it safely. It is not advised to perform minor repairs since mishandling asbestos materials might create a danger where none previously existed. If you still want to do minor repairs, be sure you have as much information on how to deal with asbestos before starting. Asbestos removal can help the preparation of food by making the area around your stove and oven cleaner. Not only will this product make your kitchen look better, but it will also protect your family from harmful asbestos fibres.

We provide full equipment and support for asbestos removal, so you can rest assured that your home or office is free of this dangerous material. We understand the dangers of asbestos exposure, and we are committed to providing the best possible solution to remove it from your property.

Kitchen Asbestos Removal