Renovating your property in Brisbane comes with serious considerations, and one of the biggest hidden risks is asbestos. Is asbestos endangering your family's health and safety? Many residential, commercial, and industrial properties in Queensland still contain hazardous material, and disturbing it can release dangerous fibres into the air. Protect your family from asbestos today by understanding how to identify it, avoid disturbing it during a renovation job, and contact professional asbestos removal service providers who are licensed and equipped to handle the job safely.

Why Renovation Work Often Disturbs Hidden Asbestos

Historically, asbestos was widely used in building materials due to its fire resistance, strength, and low cost. Unfortunately, many homes, offices, and industrial buildings across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast still contain asbestos in walls, ceilings, roofing, cladding, insulation, and flooring. When a renovation job involves cutting, drilling, sanding, or demolition, asbestos fibres can be released, posing serious health and safety risks for you, your family, and everyone around.

Renovation jobs that commonly disturb asbestos include:

  • Cutting into wall cladding or ceilings during carpentry work

  • Re-roofing and roofing replacement where asbestos sheeting and insulation were used

  • Demolition of sheds, fences, and contaminated soil areas

  • Floor replacement involving old tiles, adhesives, or vinyl containing asbestos

Even small projects like installing skylights or updating bathroom walls may expose asbestos materials in your property. This makes professional asbestos removal services essential before any construction job begins.

Renovation Projects Most Likely to Expose Asbestos

Roof replacement

Homeowners in southeast Queensland, particularly in older properties built before 1990, are more likely to encounter asbestos. Renovation projects that put residents' health and safety at risk include:

  • 1

    Roof replacement and re-roofing projects involving asbestos roof sheets and insulation

  • 2

    Bathroom renovations where asbestos cement was historically used in walls, ceilings, and flooring materials

  • 3

    Kitchen demolition, especially under old tiles and behind splashbacks

  • 4

    Flooring removal where asbestos-backed vinyl, adhesives, and square tiles remain hidden

  • 5

    Shed, fence, and garage demolition where asbestos wall and roof sheets were commonly installed

Residential, commercial, and industrial projects all carry these risks, and asbestos may be found in both bonded and friable forms.

How to Identify Asbestos Before You Renovate

Identifying asbestos is not possible without laboratory testing services. Materials that look safe may contain asbestos fibres, which is why professional inspection is necessary.

Steps to identify asbestos safely:

  • Schedule an asbestos inspection and assessment with a licensed asbestos removal company

  • Request a detailed quote that includes testing services, air monitoring services, and reporting

  • Ensure the contractor offers asbestos audits and thorough inspections for both non-friable and friable asbestos

Three-step process to avoid contamination:

  • 1

    Get a consultation and testing done by a team of qualified experts

  • 2

    Safe containment of any material suspected to contain asbestos (roofing, tiles, etc.)

  • 3

    Professional asbestos removal or encapsulation service carried out by a team of licensed asbestos removal specialists

This ensures the team is equipped to handle asbestos safely while giving homeowners peace of mind.

The Real Dangers of Breathing in Asbestos Dust

Asbestos fibres are invisible to the naked eye, and once inhaled, they can remain in the lungs for years. Exposure to asbestos has been proven to cause:

  • Mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer linked to asbestos exposure

  • Lung cancer, often worsened for smokers exposed to asbestos fibres

  • Asbestosis, a chronic lung disease caused by scarring

Asbestos dust cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, which makes it especially hazardous. Disturbing even a small section of asbestos building materials without proper containment and disposal can contaminate a home or worksite.

Protect yourself from the hidden dangers of asbestos dust. The ICON Asbestos Removal team in Brisbane provides safe asbestos services, including roofing and more. Contact us today to get a detailed quote and ensure your property is safe.

What to Do Immediately If You Discover Asbestos Mid-Project

If asbestos is discovered during a renovation job:

  • Stop work immediately to prevent further contamination

  • Seal off and contain the area to reduce airborne fibre risk

  • Contact a licensed asbestos removal company in Brisbane for urgent advice and assistance

  • Do not attempt to remove asbestos waste yourself, as disposal requires sealed containers and approved dumping facilities

Expert asbestos services in Queensland offer emergency asbestos removals to ensure homeowners can continue projects safely and efficiently. Contact ICON Asbestos Removal in Brisbane today for a free, comprehensive quote.

Why DIY Asbestos Removal Is Unsafe and Illegal in Many Areas

Man in hazmat suit

Many Brisbane residents consider removing asbestos themselves to save costs, but this is unsafe and, in most cases, illegal. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland regulations state that only contractors with an A-Class asbestos removal license can handle friable asbestos. Attempting removal without a license can result in:

  • Heavy fines for breaching Queensland laws

  • Contamination of residential, commercial, and industrial properties

  • Increased risk of asbestos-related illness for family members and neighbours

Even bonded asbestos must be removed by qualified specialists with public liability insurance. Licensed asbestos removal ensures compliance, safety, and reliable results.

How to Hire the Right Licensed Asbestos Removal Expert

Choosing the right asbestos removal service is an important decision. The following criteria will help homeowners select the best company:

  • A-Class asbestos removal license to remove bonded and friable asbestos

  • Public liability insurance covering the property and residents

  • Detailed quote with clear pricing and no hidden costs

  • Licensed contractors with years of experience across residential, commercial, and industrial removals

  • Comprehensive asbestos services, including audits, testing, removal, disposal, soil remediation, and demolition

  • Transparent customer service and communication throughout the project

ICON Asbestos Removal specialises in asbestos removal, asbestos roof replacement, soil remediation, and safe demolition services across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast.

Safe Renovation Practices to Prevent Asbestos Exposure

Before starting any renovation project, consider these practices to ensure asbestos is not disturbed:

  • Arrange asbestos testing and audits before demolition or building work begins

  • Hire professional asbestos removal specialists trained and certified to handle hazardous materials

  • Ensure bonded and friable asbestos removal is conducted with containment, monitoring, and air clearance certificates

  • Use safe disposal methods involving sealed containers and approved facilities

  • Consider encapsulation if asbestos cannot be removed immediately

Checklist for safer renovation:

  • Inspection and assessment of suspected asbestos-containing materials (roofing, walls, tiles, etc.)

  • Licensed team handling containment, removal, and disposal

  • Air monitoring and clearance reports confirming asbestos has been removed

  • Ongoing customer support for safe renovation planning

By implementing safe practices, Brisbane residents can complete projects without risking health or property contamination.

Your Path to a Safer, Asbestos-Free Home

Icon asbestos removal

Renovation can quickly become dangerous when asbestos is involved. Whether you're replacing roofing, demolishing walls, or upgrading bathrooms, expert asbestos removal is essential. ICON Asbestos Removal is a trusted Brisbane-based company specialising in bonded and friable asbestos removal, asbestos roof replacement, soil remediation, and demolition across southeast Queensland.

The team is equipped to handle asbestos safely with certified procedures, thorough inspections, and professional asbestos removal services backed by public liability insurance. With detailed quotes, clear advice, and affordable asbestos removal solutions, ICON ensures every project is completed safely and efficiently.

For peace of mind and guaranteed compliance, contact ICON Asbestos Removal today. Call 0409 593 779 or email to request quotes for asbestos removal. Get professional, safe, and reliable asbestos removal service across Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, and Gold Coast, and protect your family's health while completing your renovation project.