Why asbestos has to be tested
Asbestos can’t be identified by looking at it. Fibro sheeting with asbestos looks much the same as sheeting without it, and the same goes for old vinyl tiles, eaves and wet-area linings. A visual inspection can point to likely materials, but only laboratory analysis of a sample confirms it.
Buildings from before the 1990s are the ones to check. Common places include fibro walls and eaves, roof sheeting, fences, bathroom and laundry linings, and the backing of old floor tiles.
How testing works
- We talk through what you are planning and which materials are in question.
- Samples are taken carefully, with the material wetted and the area protected so fibres are not released.
- Each sample is sealed, labelled and sent to a NATA-accredited laboratory partner for analysis.
- You get a written report: what was sampled and where, the result, the condition of the material, and the options from here.
What a result means
Finding asbestos doesn’t always mean removing it. Bonded asbestos that is intact and won’t be disturbed is often safest left alone and kept in good condition. It needs to come out when it is damaged, or when a renovation or demolition will disturb it.
If removal is needed, Elite carries out asbestos removal with in-house qualified technicians rather than subcontractors, so the report and the work that follows sit with one team.
Who does the work
Technicians are police-checked and fully insured, with $20 million in public and products liability cover, and work is carried out to the relevant Australian Standards. The business is CM3 certified for contractor OH&S and compliance.
Asbestos testing questions
Is a visual inspection enough?
It is a guide, not a confirmation. Only laboratory analysis of a sample confirms asbestos, and samples go to NATA-accredited laboratory partners.
Can I take a sample myself?
Breaking off a sample can release fibres. Having it taken by a trained technician, with the material wetted and the area protected, is the safer course.
Do I always need removal if asbestos is found?
No. Intact bonded asbestos that won’t be disturbed can often stay. The report sets out the options.
Carpet Cleaning
Couch & Upholstery Cleaning
Mattress Cleaning
Tile & Grout Cleaning
Commercial Cleaning
Water Damage Restoration
Fire and Smoke Restoration
Mould Removal
Mould Testing
Laser Cleaning
Pest Control
Asbestos Removal
Asbestos Testing
Office Cleaning
Graffiti Removal
Dry Ice Blasting
Pressure Washing
Solar Panel Cleaning
Structural Drying
Dehumidifier Hire
Air Quality Testing
Floor Sanding
Lead Paint Removal
Roof Cleaning
Gutter Cleaning
Trauma & Crime Scene Cleaning
Deceased Estate Clearing
Hoarding & Squalor Cleaning
Meth Testing & Decontamination
