Demolition · Gold Coast
Asbestos Removal on the Gold Coast
Fibro was used in many Queensland buildings before 1990, and plenty of Gold Coast homes from that era are still standing. If yours is being renovated or demolished, the asbestos has to be identified and dealt with first. Tell us what you have found and we will refer you to a contractor with the right Queensland licence for the work.
- Referred to contractors holding the right class of licence
- Works as a standalone job or ahead of demolition
- Disposal paperwork to keep with your records
Where it hides in older Gold Coast homes
Asbestos was never only in the walls. Common places include:
- External fibro cladding and eaves
- Bathroom and laundry wall sheets
- Backing on vinyl flooring and some floor tile adhesives
- Fences, sheds and garage roofs
- Old pipe lagging and electrical meter boards
You cannot confirm asbestos by eye. If the house was built before 1990 and you are unsure, treat the material as if it contains asbestos until it has been tested.
Which licence does the job need?
Queensland has two asbestos removal licences:
- Class B covers more than 10 square metres of non-friable (bonded) asbestos, such as sound fibro sheeting.
- Class A is needed for friable asbestos, which is the crumbly material that releases fibres easily. A Class A holder can also do Class B work.
Up to 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos can be removed without a licence, but safe work procedures still apply. For most owners, paying a licensed removalist is the safer choice. You can check a business against the licence list published by WorkSafe Queensland.
Removal before demolition
On a demolition job the asbestos is removed first, as its own stage. The material is wrapped, labelled and taken to a facility that accepts it, and you should be given paperwork showing where it went. Keep that paperwork with your project records, because your certifier, builder or a future buyer may ask for it.
What not to do
Please do not drill, cut, sand or water blast suspected asbestos, and avoid breaking it up to fit a skip bin. Standard bins and tip loads do not accept it. If something has already been damaged, keep people away and get advice before you clean up.
Asbestos Removal: common questions
How do I know if my Gold Coast home has asbestos?
Age is a strong clue, particularly for homes built before 1990, but the only way to be certain is to have a sample tested by a laboratory or have the home inspected by a competent person.
Can asbestos go in a normal skip bin?
No. It has to be packaged correctly and taken to a facility that accepts it. Ask the skip hire company or your removalist before you load anything.
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Gold Coast and surrounds
Got something coming down? Start here.
Send a few details about the job and a local demolition contractor will be in touch to look at the site. No cost, no obligation.