Asbestos Question

Discussion in 'Repairs & Maintenance' started by Blee, 30th Nov, 2020.

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  1. Blee

    Blee New Member

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    Does anyone know what these brown hairlike stuff is? Its sprouted from the asbestos(?) tiles in the wardrobe.

    upload_2020-11-30_14-22-30.png
     
  2. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    The photo's too blurry. It is probably dust.
     
  3. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    Unlikely to be asbestos.

    Most likely horse hair.

    The Y-man
     
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  4. Stoffo

    Stoffo Well-Known Member

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    As per @The Y-man
    Looks like off cuts of horse hair plaster used to fill in the area
     
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  5. Blee

    Blee New Member

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    thank you all for your responses.
    last night as i was trying to rip up the old blistered paint, i have found this under the paint.
    again, looks to be horsehair..but should i get the material tested for asbestos?

    upload_2020-12-1_7-42-37.png
     
  6. balwoges

    balwoges Well-Known Member

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    For your peace of mind have it tested ... :)
     
  7. Stoffo

    Stoffo Well-Known Member

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    What are you trying to achieve here ?
    Cosmetic reno ?

    Two choices,
    Leave it alone, or
    Grab a Covid mask, spray the area with some water and pry out a bit bigger than 50cents, place in a lunch zip lock bag and take it to be tested ( a few hundred dollars)
     
  8. jared7825

    jared7825 Well-Known Member

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    For a simple sample like this can be done for about $50 from a laboratory depending on how quick you want the report
     
  9. Joynz

    Joynz Well-Known Member

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    it looks like plaster to me. But sometimes the only way to learn or be sure is to test a sample.

    If you want to take a sample for testing, wear a disposable ‘P2’ rated mask that seals properly around the face. Being in NSW they might be more accessible than in Victoria.

    The surgical type, pleated ‘COVID’ masks are not protective against asbestos fibres because they don’t seal around the face properly. They are designed to keep germs from the wearer being spread outside - not dust from outside being breathed in.

    I bought some of the N95 masks from Bunnings and was told that technically they are the same as P2 masks - but because they don’t seal correctly (due to having ear loops instead of head bands) I would be reluctant to use them for sanding or disturbing potential asbestos fibres.

    Definitely spray with water to dampen any fibres. Also double bag the sample in ziploc bags. And wipe up any dust with a damp folded rag - don’t brush or vacuum.
     
    Last edited: 2nd Dec, 2020
  10. Paul@PAS

    Paul@PAS Tax, Accounting + SMSF + All things Property Tax Business Plus Member

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    And the paint is likely to have lead in it. Simple test kit at bunnings can confirm that. Often top layer is a modern paint so may not immediately show lead present. The exposed areas may be best tested.