Asbestos Wall Removal

Where asbestos is found in walls

Asbestos cement sheeting, often called fibro, was a popular wall lining in Australian homes until the mid 1980s. It was cheap, durable and fire resistant, which is why it turns up in so many Melbourne properties today. Common places we find asbestos in walls include:

• External fibro cladding on post-war homes, bungalows and beach houses
• Eaves linings and gable ends
• Internal wall sheeting in laundries, sunrooms, enclosed verandahs and extensions
• Wet area linings behind tiles in bathrooms and laundries
• Textured or cover strip panels used on sheds, garages and outbuildings

We see a lot of fibro cladding on older homes in Frankston, Chelsea and Dandenong, and on original beach houses along the Mornington Peninsula. If walls are part of a bigger renovation, we can also look after asbestos bathroom removal or asbestos kitchen removal as part of the same job.

Our asbestos wall removal process

Removing wall sheeting is about keeping each sheet intact so fibres are not released. Our process looks like this:

• Identify: we confirm which sheets contain asbestos, using asbestos testing if there is any doubt.
• Plan: we agree the scope with you and your builder, including which walls stay and which go.
• Prepare: power points and fittings are made safe by your electrician where needed, the area is sheeted off and signed.
• Remove carefully: sheets are wetted and fixings are removed so each sheet comes off whole, not smashed or cut with power tools.
• Package: sheets are stacked on heavy polythene, fully wrapped, sealed with tape and labelled.
• Clean: framing, floors and nearby surfaces are cleaned with a HEPA vacuum and wet wiping.
• Dispose and clear: waste goes to an authorised facility and the area can be inspected for clearance.

Internal walls versus external cladding

Internal and external walls need slightly different approaches. Internal sheeting is usually in better condition because it has been protected from the weather, but it may be painted, papered or tiled over, and it sits close to furniture and living areas, so containment inside the home is the priority. External cladding has often faced decades of sun and rain, which can make sheets brittle and more likely to crack as they come away. It may also sit close to fences, gardens and neighbouring homes. Before we start, we look at both the condition of the sheeting and what surrounds it, so the setup, protection and waste route suit the specific wall rather than a one size fits all method.

What affects the cost

We provide a clear written quote once we have seen the walls. Pricing depends on:

• The total area of sheeting and whether it is internal, external or both
• Access, including wall height, scaffolding needs and tight side setbacks
• How the sheets are fixed, for example nailed, glued or tiled over
• The condition of the sheeting, since broken or weathered material takes more care
• Waste volume, disposal and any clearance inspection required

Your safety and compliance

In Victoria, WorkSafe requires a licensed asbestos removalist for any non-friable asbestos removal over 10 square metres in total, and a Class A licence for friable asbestos. Most wall jobs are well over that 10 square metre limit, so licensed removal is usually required by law, not just recommended.

Wall sheeting must never be sanded, water blasted, drilled or cut with power tools, as these methods can release large amounts of fibres. Once removed, EPA Victoria requires asbestos waste to be securely packaged and taken to a facility authorised to accept it. For commercial work, disposal is tracked through EPA’s Waste Tracker so there is a record of where the waste ended up.

From Brighton to Mornington and across greater Melbourne, we are ready to help. Get a free quote for your asbestos wall removal.