Exterior Cladding - Asbestos Product Concerns

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MattKPJ

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#273322 16-Aug-2020 16:26

Hi Everyone,

I have some concerns about a small amount of the exterior cladding of my home. It is some kind of cement board and worried it may contain asbestos.

The home was built in 1925, but the small extension/room this particular cladding was done in 1968 (from what we can tell from the property file).

It is painted and in reasonably good condition from what I can tell. See photos.

Wondering if anyone has any experience with identifying these kind of products? Any reason for concern/removal?

Cheers

Matt

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#2542428 16-Aug-2020 17:15

It looks like that sort of 'cement' board that seemed to often have asbestos added to it.
Considering the date I would imagine high odds of it containg asbestos.
It's only a problem when disturbed, but it looks from the photo like someone has been cutting into it so it's disturbed now alright!

So yep - looks like you need to get it checked now....

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richms

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#2542429 16-Aug-2020 17:18

Sure looks like it.

Also ones that were from the early "asbestos free" days were more like the "no added sugar" fruit juices. Lots of the stuff in it but they didnt add any more to make it stronger.

Richard rich.ms

Jase2985

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#2542430 16-Aug-2020 17:18

if you are unsure have it tested.

there are online places that can send you a kit to take the sample and send it back for testing then they email you the result.

Ive used Safe Sampling Solutions on multiple occasions before and they have been great

richms

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#2542432 16-Aug-2020 17:21

robjg63:
It's only a problem when disturbed, but it looks from the photo like someone has been cutting into it so it's disturbed now alright!

So yep - looks like you need to get it checked now....

That looks like internal gib cut back to show the back of the cladding and lack of insulation in the walls.

Edit: also the stuff around the crawlspace area is a likly offender too. If one lot comes off get it all off and replaced at the same time since if my friends experiance is anything to go by, it will probably involve a tent around the place now.

Richard rich.ms

MattKPJ

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#2542463 16-Aug-2020 17:51

Hi guys, appreciate the responses.

It's only a problem when disturbed, but it looks from the photo like someone has been cutting into it so it's disturbed now alright!

@richms That's correct the hole cut is in the interior gib. I am prepping a wardrobe & insulation project. It was actually when I saw the back of the exterior cladding that alarms bell rang.

@Jase2985 Thanks heaps for the link. I'll look in to getting a test done.

Cheers everybody,

Matt

dejadeadnz

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#2542477 16-Aug-2020 18:35

MattKPJ:

Hi guys, appreciate the responses.

I work for a utility and let's just say that we know a bit about asbestos management. You need to make sure that whomever you get to test and so forth truly know their stuff and comply to the relevant Australia/NZ Standard in doing any surveying/testing. If you suspect asbestos, I wouldn't go and further disturb the site or run any kind of DIY test unless you have the right PPE and know what you are doing. Morecroft Contractors is accredited with multiple utilities to provide this service. Have a look at their website and also go on WorkSafe's website and have a look at what they have to say on asbestos.

Bung

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#2542522 16-Aug-2020 19:37

richms:
Also ones that were from the early "asbestos free" days were more like the "no added sugar" fruit juices. Lots of the stuff in it but they didnt add any more to make it stronger.

Around the change in manufacture dates sure you could be dealing with old stock but I'm not aware of any asbestos other than the added asbestos in the cement sheet. The new recipe used cellulose fibres instead of asbestos. Some countries (China) are happy to pretend that product without blue or brown asbestos is asbestos free even if it does contain chrysotile (white asbestos).

I think testing is rather pointless when there's no chance that 1960s fibre cement will not contain asbestos. Is the board and batten look a profiled sheet or flat fibre cement with timber battens? The hole in the gib does show that there isn't any building paper. That will be an added step to insulating.

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Technofreak

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#2542530 16-Aug-2020 20:32

If it's not disturbed and you have no intention of disturbing it leave it alone. Don't open up a can of worms that WILL cost you a lot of money.

Left undisturbed, and so long as it is maintained properly, in other words kept painted before the paint flakes off and shows bare material which could be disturbed by the weather, it it is quite safe.

Edit. From the photos it doesn't appear you have disturbed the cladding in anyway and from what you have said it seems you don't intend to disturb the cladding.

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robjg63

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#2542560 16-Aug-2020 21:47

As above. If you just leave it alone it's fine. Put another coat of paint on it if you need. But don't sand it.
Asbestos is only a problem when you start making dust out of it .

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sbiddle

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#2542562 16-Aug-2020 21:55

Cement cladding from that era will contain asbestos with almost 100% certainty - basically everything up until the '80s does.

If you have no plans to do anything with it then there are not really any concerns with it being there.

MattKPJ

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#2542834 17-Aug-2020 13:02

Thanks everybody for the information. Feels fairly certain that it will contain asbestos.

Due to only being 2 small walls we may look at get it removed for piece of mind.

I had wanted to insulate these particular walls. I guess there is a good chance of old dust etc being present behind the Gib on the framing etc? How dangerous do you think just opening up the interior and installing some insulation would be?

Later in the year this part of this part of the house is booked to have the windows replaced which I'm fairly sure will require some of the cladding to be cut. I suspect this is where it will become very problematic.

@dejadeadnz Thank you for the suggestion. We will get it professionally checked rather than do it ourselves.

@Bung It is profiled sheets yes.

concordnz

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#2542943 17-Aug-2020 15:05

Perfectly fine to install insulation

The problem only occurs when you are cutting the cement board with a cut off wheel & 'freeing' the fibres.

In this OSH obsessed world this has been overblown - you are really only at 'risk' if you work in a factory with this stuff -- the casual handyman has more risk from 2nd hand smoke!

MattKPJ

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#2542949 17-Aug-2020 15:20

Ok great thank you @concordnz

I've proceeded with booking a test to be carried out later this week. Just with the future window work in mind mostly.

Technofreak

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#2542951 17-Aug-2020 15:25

MattKPJ:

Thanks everybody for the information. Feels fairly certain that it will contain asbestos.

Due to only being 2 small walls we may look at get it removed for piece of mind.

I had wanted to insulate these particular walls. I guess there is a good chance of old dust etc being present behind the Gib on the framing etc? How dangerous do you think just opening up the interior and installing some insulation would be?

Later in the year this part of this part of the house is booked to have the windows replaced which I'm fairly sure will require some of the cladding to be cut. I suspect this is where it will become very problematic.

@dejadeadnz Thank you for the suggestion. We will get it professionally checked rather than do it ourselves.

@Bung It is profiled sheets yes.

Insulation should be fine. If you're concerned about the dust, don't disturb it or try to remove it by vacuuming or other means and wear a mask while you're installing the insulation.

So far as the windows go, if you're not changing the size i don't see why there should be any need to cut the wall lining. Check with the window installer you have coming to do the job.

By all means if it means peace of mind to you, go ahead and replace the wall lining, but I think you're probably spending unnecessary money.

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nickb800

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#2542978 17-Aug-2020 15:58

You need building paper/wrap between insulation and external cladding to prevent moisture wicking in and supporting mould/rot (also technically need building consent to retrofit insulation in external walls). You can retrofit a piece of wrap into each 'cell' formed by the framing from the inside, but much easier to add wrap from the outside when the cladding is off.

I don't think you need to worry about the cladding given it's intact, but if you are planning on having it removed in the near future, then may as well do it now and make the wrap/insulation job much easier.

Also - if I were you, I'd cancel the test. It's almost a dead certainty that it contains asbsestos - so having a positive test doesn't really help. May as well save the money for the removalists.

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