What Is Asbestos Cladding?
Asbestos cladding is an exterior covering or cladding for buildings with asbestos-containing materials. Typically involving sheets or panels made from asbestos cement, asbestos cladding provides weatherproofing, however, it poses significant health risks when disturbed or deteriorating, releasing airborne asbestos fibres that can lead to serious respiratory diseases if inhaled. Due to these health concerns, asbestos cladding removal and replacement with safer materials have become a priority in building maintenance and renovation projects.
The Dangers of Asbestos Cladding
Asbestos cladding poses significant health risks that should not be overlooked. Once airborne, asbestos fibers can be easily inhaled and can lead to serious lung diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. These diseases are often fatal and can manifest many years after exposure to asbestos fibres. The World Health Organization estimates that around 107,000 people die each year from asbestos-related diseases globally.
The removal of asbestos cladding is a delicate and dangerous task that requires professional handling. Due to the high level of risk involved, it is strictly regulated by health and safety laws in many countries. Improper asbestos cladding removal can lead to contamination of the surrounding environment and prolonged exposure for individuals in the vicinity. Furthermore, it is essential to dispose of the material appropriately after removal to prevent potential exposure. It is strongly recommended that any work involving asbestos cladding, including its removal, should only be undertaken by trained and certified asbestos removal professionals to ensure safety for all involved.
Signs of Asbestos in Cladding
Identifying the presence of asbestos in cladding can be a complex task, especially considering the health risks associated with asbestos exposure. In Auckland, many buildings constructed prior to 2000 potentially have asbestos cladding. Certain signs can hint towards its presence. These primarily involve visual cues such as aging or weathered cladding which may appear cracked, damaged or worn out.
Another indicator is when the cladding appears to have a layered or corrugated surface. Asbestos was often used in these types of materials due to its insulating and fire-retardant properties. However, it is important to note that these signs are not definitive proof of asbestos presence and further testing is required for confirmation.
Only trained experts can safely handle and remove these materials without posing a risk to human health and the environment. Therefore, it’s advised not to attempt any drilling, cutting or other invasive procedures on suspected asbestos cladding, as these activities can release harmful fibres into the air.
Asbestos Cladding Removal Process
The removal of asbestos cladding is a complex and regulated process, requiring meticulous planning and execution to ensure the safety of workers and the environment – best left to The Crew. Get in touch with us for a thorough assessment to identify if your cladding contains asbestos. We’ll then obtain any necessary documentation before beginning work to remove the asbestos cladding. To prevent the release of hazardous asbestos fibres, the cladding is wetted down before removal, minimising the risk of the material. As the cladding is removed in small sections, it is placed in sealed containers designed for asbestos waste. Our team undergo a stringent decontamination process, and the work area is cleaned effectively. Asbestos removal should only be undertaken by certified professionals to mitigate the severe health risks associated with asbestos exposure.
The Crew Asbestos Removal will provide you with a Certificate of Analysis from an accredited laboratory, indicating whether or not asbestos was present in the samples before removing asbestos cladding from your residential or commercial property.
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