How to Tell If Your Home has Asbestos - Northern NSW Home Owners Guide

If your home was built or renovated before the late 1980s, there’s a good chance it contains asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

In Byron Bay, Ballina, Tweed Heads and across Northern NSW, many homes still include asbestos in walls, ceilings, eaves and even flooring.

Knowing where asbestos might be — and what to do if you find it — is essential for keeping your family safe and meeting NSW health regulations.

🔍 Where Asbestos Is Commonly Found

Asbestos was prized for its durability and fire resistance, so it appeared almost everywhere in construction. You might find it in:

• Wall and ceiling sheeting (especially under paint or textured coatings)

• Eaves and external cladding

• Bathroom, laundry and kitchen linings

• Vinyl floor tiles and old adhesives

• Roof sheeting and backing boards behind electrical meters or switchboards

• Fencing, sheds and carports

Homes built between 1940 and 1990 are the highest risk, but even later renovations may have reused asbestos materials.

⚠️ How to Identify Possible Asbestos

It’s almost impossible to tell by sight alone. Asbestos-cement sheeting can look like normal fibre cement or plasterboard.

Here are clues that should raise suspicion:

• The material looks old, brittle or “fibrous” at broken edges

• Your home’s construction date is before 1990

• There’s an asbestos warning label on meter boards or switch boxes

• The area has never been tested during past renovations

If you’re unsure, never drill, cut, sand or remove it yourself — that can release dangerous airborne fibres.

🧪 Professional Asbestos Assessment and Testing

The safest and only reliable way to confirm asbestos is through laboratory testing by a Licensed Asbestos Assessor.

At XCEL Environmental, we provide:

• Visual inspections by qualified assessors

• Sampling and NATA-accredited laboratory testing

• Detailed asbestos assessment reports

• Clearance certificates after safe removal

We service Byron Bay, Ballina, Tweed Heads, Grafton and the wider Northern NSW region, working with homeowners, builders, insurance and government clients.

🧯 What To Do If You Suspect Asbestos

1. Stop work immediately.

2. Don’t disturb the material.

3. Contact a licensed professional for assessment.

4. Arrange safe removal through an SafeWork NSW-approved asbestos removalist.

5. Obtain a clearance certificate confirming the site is safe for re-entry or further work.

Attempting DIY asbestos removal is not only unsafe — it’s illegal in many situations under NSW Work Health and Safety laws.

✅ Why Choose XCEL Environmental

• SafeWork & EPA Licensed Asbestos Removal Contractor

• Licensed Asbestos Assessor (LAA)

• Class B Removal Licence

• Air Monitoring & Hazmat Reporting

• Fast response across Northern NSW

We’re committed to ensuring every property is handled safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with NSW regulations.

📞 Need an Asbestos Check in Byron Bay or Northern NSW?

If you suspect asbestos in your home or renovation project, don’t take chances.

Contact XCEL Environmental for a professional asbestos inspection and peace of mind.

Call: 0410 127 520

Email: info@xcelenviro

Service areas: Byron Bay | Ballina | Tweed Heads | Grafton | Northern Rivers

Lic# LAA001458

www.xcelenviro.com

Xcel Environmental Pty Ltd

ABN: 95 610 300 260