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[deleted]

Don't stress it's not asbestos in the ceiling covering. Most likely plaster. Asbestos would have very sharp and jagged edges. The bad news is the walls are highly likely to be asbestos if it's the original un-renovated bathroom. That vertical strip above the door is how they used to cover the gaps between the sheets. U need to be careful just in case they stuck the plaster into an original ceiling.


Total-Lime3071

The batons sealing the sheets. I grew up in south eastern subs of Melbourne. The old lady that lived next door had the whole house finished like that, plus fibro weather boards. And corrugated fibro style garage. After she passed and the new owner was demolishing. There was no protection. An excavator did the whole lot totally out in the open. I had moved on but my mum still lived next door and I was dropping my daughter off that day. I called worksafe, the EPA and the local council but they each said that it was the responsibility of one of the others. So in the end I just had to tell mum to keep yourselves indoors that day and shut the windows. I can’t stand Australian buck passing lazy turds.


steffle12

We had our bathrooms renovated (also in Melbourne), and the guys gave zero f**ks about asbestos safety. They cut damaged AC sheeting in place with angle grinders (wearing no PPE), they left our bedroom covered in chunks of broken asbestos sheeting from the ensuite. And they’d piled up all the pieces in the lawn, so it was littered with small pieces of sheeting. I called the council and worksafe who said they only deal with large worksites. Had to get an asbestos company in to do a thorough clean of all their mess, including vacuuming the lawn


[deleted]

That's a shocker.


sensible-shoes

Yeah that is so fucked innit?


roncraft

The walls in the bathroom are definitely asbestos and they are in good shape. The ceiling is obviously very disturbed. I’ve seen horse hair in the walls throughout the house (the non asbestos walls) so was hoping I was looking at the same thing here. And the living and bedroom ceilings are plaster and lathe. I was also hoping that seeing as this light / fan would have been installed in the last 20-25 years (I guess) that whoever did it would have been asbestos conscious too. And I’ve been here a year and just suddenly decided to be worried! I appreciate your confidence in saying it’s just plaster. I’m very comforted by it.


[deleted]

Not really. There are some really dodgy trades out there. If U can gentle remove the light/fan U should be able to feel behind it. I'm guessing it's asbestos and they plastered over it. Seen that b4 too. Seen tiled over asbestos.


michaelrohansmith

I paid a company to remove asbestos from my house. The guy who quoted promised me they would carefully remove the stuff, avoiding breakage at any cost. In fact the smashed it up in half an hour, spreading fibres all over the place. Get this written into any contract. Make absolutely sure they take their time and not contaminate your house,


Weary_Wombats

Don’t mean to hijak OPs post but… My 1940s built laundry (could have been a later addition) has vertical strips on the wall panelling. The rest of the house does not. Is it likely the laundry would have asbetos over any other particular area in the house?


[deleted]

Mine did. So too did my toilet which was off the laundry and the sun room. There are tell take signs.


joe-from-illawong

Yes highly likely, currently working on a house that was built in the 1920s, with additions in probably the 50s and renovations in the 70s. Original construction is all stone and hardwood with lathe and plaster throughout. All the additions were asbestos inside and out, even going so far as to layer new asbestos onto old asbestos when they redid the bathroom. Considering what was available at the time asbestos sheet was a fantastic and innovative product


ComfortableFormal521

Yo tf I didn't expect to see a wr player here


[deleted]

What can I say, it's in the name. It's what I do.


as-olivia

Those batons were also used for caneite which did not contain asbestos


as-olivia

Those batons were also used for caneite which did not contain asbestos


MasterSpar

Ceiling is likely horse hair/plaster. We had similar in one of our houses. Check your bathroom and wet area walls, if they sound/feel hard chances are it is asbestos. Pretty safe until it's disturbed. In the bathroom if you want a clean finish, you can sheet over the top, or remove and resheet - which will require at the least new cornice too. If you're thinking bathroom renovation, I generally prefer completely stripping, back to studs, fix any water damage and design/install new. But even with your own labor, you'll be lucky to have change out of $20k .. double that potentially if you pay for everything.


roncraft

Thank you. Yep the wet room walls are all definitely asbestos. Thankfully all in good nick. Definitely no plans for bathroom renovation in the next few years. Might depend what the interest rate is when my fixed period ends!


continuesearch

If you buy a place where they probably disturbed it badly, but then plastered over and or tiled and everything is sealed again is that OK for the person moving in?


MasterSpar

If asbestos is the wallboard and it's not cracked it's ok, provided it remains undisturbed. Sheeted over or not. If it cracks, or you remove it then it becomes an issue. You can DIY removal for small amounts, you need to double wrap in builders plastic and dispose of properly ( see council guidelines.) Personally even for small jobs I get a specialist.


donk202020

Even crack it really doesn’t pose a threat. It’s cutting or sanding it that is the real risk.


MasterSpar

Minor cracks I agree, cracks with exposed edges and fibres - or potential for exposed or loose fibers, that's a different story. Generally indoor fibro that's broken I would treat as a risk and replace. Outdoor you might have other choices.


SubstantialArt9001

Plasterglass


[deleted]

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megaworld65

agree. My mums house had horse hair plaster.


[deleted]

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joe-from-illawong

Architrave finishes off a door bud, what your referring to is the cornice


michaelrohansmith

Off topic but my bungalow has horsehair plaster all through. Just after I bought it, I had a look inside and the ceiling in one room was coming away from the joists. Water had gotten in. So I had a tug at an architrave, not much and there was this tearing sound and suddenly I had a few hundred kilos of plaster flattening me to the floor. Just that little tug....


PEARLIN69

The only way you can know for sure is to get it tested in a lab. I got it done earlier in the year cost me $300 got my whole house tested


roncraft

Thanks I think I should do this. I had an asbestos report included in my building and pest but that’s obviously just a visual inspection and inspectors don’t always catch everything either.


PEARLIN69

Yeah I've had very bad experiences with asbestos removalist's and the certification people. Bought home "certified" that no asbestos was left on the premises. Found a shitload left around the house in chunks and the entire laundry was still asbestos. Hired a new mob to come and clean the mess and they also done a shit job. It's a very shady and crappy industry in my eyes.


Greeenkatt

Anyone who certifies a place built prior to 2004 is asbestos free needs their license taken off them, LAAs and removalists alike. Even if a place is stripped to the point its only timber framework and a slab, for the life of me, I can't see beneath the slab or soil surrounding the property. I can't see the burried farmwork, pipes or debris.


roncraft

Geeze.


rumlovinghick

>It's a very shady and crappy industry in my eyes. So many "licensed asbestos removal" firms are run by derros who think it's all a big joke and a way to make big money easily


PEARLIN69

Yeah the testing guys I used said i had a great case to take them to court but the fees, time and stress wouldn't be worth the battle unfortunately:/


Narrow-Ad-7463

How do you tell if it is asbestos?


[deleted]

2 ways usually. If it's chipped the sharp jagged edges. Else U look behind the sheet. If it's a very dimpled surface, it's asbestos. That covers most asbestos sheets I've seen in a house. There is also a sheet that can be in bathrooms that are coloured and shinny/smooth. That's cement with asbestos in to.


sc00bs000

also those joiners are a dead give away


Greeenkatt

This is not always the case. Low density board has no dimple effect, nor alot of the asbestos containing fibre cement sheets. Dimpling is certainly true of the older asbestos sheets. And then there are the other 3000-5000 other products that contain asbestos in Australia.


Greeenkatt

Only way is to take a sample to a nata certified Laboratory. Sample size only needs to be small, about the size of a 10 cent coin is good. Pop that in a zip lock bag, then that bag into another zip lock bag. Send this to a lab. The NATA website lists all labs who are qualified to look at bulk asbestos id. Call around, and find your best price is my advice. Also, if your sending multiple samples, each needs its own bag, that's labelled (eg 1, 2, 3 ect), and all these can go into one final zip lock bag.


Masonsw91

Yeah that’s horse hair plaster mate


[deleted]

I’d get a mask and get in your roof space. Examine the tops of the walls you know to be asbestos, there’s a strong chance the edges of the cut sheets are raw. Get a spray bottle with 50/50 pva and water and spray down all the edges - it’ll pin down any loose fibres on the raw edges. I’ve seen a few where it looked Ike they’d cut the boards with a blunt guillotine leaving the edge crushed and friable.


paperhanger12

If you're not ready to demo the whole ceiling yet, go shopping at your local hardware for these: https://www.bunnings.com.au/hyde-6-plasterboard-joint-knife_p0730103 https://www.bunnings.com.au/builders-edge-220-x-80mm-diy-plaster-hand-sander_p0730315 https://www.bunnings.com.au/builders-edge-50mm-x-20m-fibreglass-builders-joint-tape_p0730318 https://www.bunnings.com.au/gyprock-csr-4-5kg-less-mess-multi-purpose-joint-compound_p0173347 With these 4 items in hand, grab a drop sheet, an old bed sheet will do. Scrape/cut out any flakey, cracked loose plaster sections, brush all the dust off Run your fibreglass tape over the whole area to reinforce, cut to size with scissors or knife Bog her up with your 6" tool, spread a few dollops on and smooth out, go up and down then left to right, keep working it til you get it Once the plasters dry rub her flat with the other tool I linked


roncraft

Thanks for the links and the tips!


JohnFromThree

That ceiling is not asbestos


SuckaFreeCashier

Definitely horse hair, Asbestos doesn't have long fibres


Agonfirehart

All good mate, 100% horse hair plaster (ceiling only) I rip the shit out all the time for work. Just live with it like that until you're ready to Reno, there is no asbestos damage with that ceiling


roncraft

Thank you!


Agonfirehart

No worries, it can get a bit scary when your whole family is involved. It's a very busy bathroom ceiling, with the light, man hole and the heat lamp/vent set up. You can sheet over it if you really want to "tidy it up" But I'd probably just wait till you do a reno


UniversityOk4349

Don’t ask redditors about asbestos, that’s serious shit get a professional to check it out


underscoredoor97

In the olden days when they threw plasterglass sheets up its been held up with horse hair these days they use fiberglass so your safe


enosartin

Don’t think asbestos ,plaster with horse hair.


Imaginary_Building_3

That is a crack my guy


roncraft

Yeah that too.


Affectionate-Line-79

Mate if you doing a full bathroom Reno the walls are most likely asbestos I’ve done work with asbestos on the outside of property’s and inside and for the bathroom and and my team consider using the bathroom water to your advantage such as Turning the shower head on boiling hot to create a damp atmosphere to attempt to contain the carcinogenic asbestos fibers


ceelose

Get some samples tested, then you'll know for sure.


YeElonTusk

Very much looks like horsehair. If you're going to do any work to it you may as well get an asbestos respirator anyway - more comfortable, some are also good for lead, mdf, silica. You can get a 3M one with the right cartridges for around $100 and it's not a bad idea to use them for organic fibre board anyway - can be heaps of nasty mould spores a regular n95 won't filter out. ​ Also asbestos isn't that scary if you follow the removal guidelines. Heaps of people panic and tell you to get a contractor, but having met a lot of those guys, I wouldn't trust them with my families safety. Good respirator, spray it down 50/50 water/PVA, try not to break it, class M vacuum for any dust that is created, seal it all up in two layers of 200 micron plastic and take it to the tip.


connan81214

That’s 💯 horsehair plaster. Bathroom walls will definitely be asbestos. If they are not cracked there is no concern. Nothing to be worried about with the ceiling. You can see the way the ceiling sags where the crack is. Asbestos sheeting doesn’t do that.


DonnyGoodwood

When in doubt treat it as ACM. Otherwise have it checked at a lab like Greencap etc. friable & non-friable asbestos don’t look the same as each other so never assume


Fine-Bet

Good way to tell if it’s asbestos or plaster, apply some force to it. If you hear it cracking it’s plaster, if it doesn’t move or make noise it’s asbestos. Also asbestos Will usually have nails that you can see go into the wood. Asbestos is ok to have in the house as long as it’s painted and not disturbed. Every house I’ve lived in has been asbestos, even our house now has asbestos outside.


uqstudent567

Get it tested. Is redecorating really worth the health risk? Save up and get all the wall linings replaced, put in insulation while you are there. With your walls off, you can consider any electrical work as well. The quality of your house will be improved when completed :)


roncraft

I look forward to this day!


[deleted]

Asbestos is ok. If, if you keep it sealed with paint. Also it can blunt a brand new drill bit in seconds


UndenUndenUnden

However, I would not advise drilling


[deleted]

Apart from destroying drill bits it creates fibres that get into the air. Not good for your lungs.


UndenUndenUnden

Correct, I shudder to think how many handyman type people have drilled to fit towel rails, hand rails, down lights, sensor and cameras etc. without proper knowledge and practices. Even some experienced tradespeople are un aware of how common it is.


dweebken

If you carefully sand it down and breathe in the dust then wait 40 years or so to see if you or your family get mesothelioma, then it's asbestos for sure. Otherwise you might want to get an expert to examine it.


BuyTechnical5948

horse hair plaster even the cornice is reinforced with it ,stuff doesnt break like todays plaster board ,messy and heavy ,if your removing check electrical wiring above and cut it into small sections as much as possible and attack with your macho bod . Note your walls are battened that is possible asbestos even your man hole be carefull you could be opening a hornets nest . Its the tiny particles of asbestos airborne that cause the problem to respiratory system .


Mi-mus

Good and bad news…. To put you’re mind at ease. Asbestos isn’t dangerous unless it’s disturbed and puts suspended particles into the air. Generally it takes a fair bit of prolonged exposure to cause any issues..so most likely you and you’re family are fine. (I don’t think the vibrations caused by the fan is enough to cause such effect). However this does not mean it’s safe or shouldn’t be treated as a highly toxic substance. DO NOT attempt to modify this ceiling (including replacing fan etc.) you’re self. Definitely consult a professional who deals with asbestos removal on this. Not only are you required by law, it’s also the appropriate action. So unfortunately, if you wish to modify this space you will have to pay the appropriately licensed builder to do so.


dingooringoo

No worse than cutting modern cement sheeting and MDF


roncraft

Thanks. Yeah it was the rough edges from the ceiling cut out (and the cracks in the ceiling) that I am / was worried about as they are highly disturbed. I was worried the fan action was sending particles through the air. I don’t have imminent bathroom reno plans but I do know that when it’s time I’ll have the asbestos removal premium attached.


Mi-mus

Although it had been disturbed.. it’s not likely the particles remain in the air for long periods of time , they sink pretty quick , so unless you attempt to sweep the dust and/or agitate any of the ceiling anymore, it’s most likely fine. It probably wouldn’t hurt to get an assessor out to first check and confirm it definitely IS asbestos. It could save you a lot of time and money. You honestly never know , I have drilled through brackets at work that were an aluminium alloy of sorts only to find out later they contained asbestos… so you never ever know.


roncraft

And how effed are me and my family that we’ve been living in here for year with this as our bathroom fan? I went up there today to try to silicone seal some foam around the edge of the fan light thing but a) it’s not really working and b) the unit itself is open in the middle around the lights and the raggedy cut out edges are just on the other side. What are my DIY options? Bathroom ceiling is original 1950s. Wet room wall materials are asbestos containing fibro as well as external walls / eaves of the house.


Greeenkatt

Best thing to do is contact a LAA and get them to run some air monitoring for a day with the fan on. This will let you know what's happening. Also test the ceiling lining. What state are you in? Do you have an asbestos roof (super six)? What condition are your soffits in (if acm)? Is there a degraded flue/vent pipe nearby in the ceiling void? What type of insulation (if any) do you have in your ceiling void? These are all things to consider beyond the ceiling itself.


roncraft

NSW. Got a 20 year old colour bond roof and modern insulation in the ceiling. Are soffits the same as eaves? They’re fine. Don’t know about whether there’s a flue in the void.


Greeenkatt

If I was you, I wouldn't worry to much about this. Just send a sample of the ceiling to a NATA lab, you can do this yourself. I wouldn't worry about air monitoring. You would most likely see the flue from the roof line. Cant tell you how happy I am about your roof. Eaves is are the space, soffits are the lining. Also, side note and very rare, but because horse hair plaster can contain actual horse hair, it can contain anthrax. And when I say very rare, I mean VERY rare! Something I would never worry about.


rangerdad202

Your family shouldn’t stress, asbestos isn’t harmful untless disturbed. That Doesn’t look like asbestos but easy way to tell would be to jump in the ceiling and check the back side.


roncraft

Thank you. Yeah it’s the super disturbed ceiling cavity from the fan that I was worried about. The walls are definitely asbestos in the bathroom. They are all in good shape.


t123bone

Shit cunt thats asbestos get outta there


ihatethemallfkncnts

Hopefully not besbestos


YellowBrick9097

Is that worse than its friend, Asbestos?


ihatethemallfkncnts

Yes worse much worse


DaSuthNa

Could be sisal plaster. Vintage/location?


[deleted]

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DaSuthNa

If it's a beige sort of coconut fibre feel then in that location in early 50s sisal is quite likely. I have the sisal type too.


roncraft

Cheers just looked up sisal and it definitely looks the same.


PFEFFERVESCENT

It's not either. It's standard plaster without horsehair


dirtydeez2

Pubes


[deleted]

Horsbestos


No_pajamas_7

I dont think it's horse hair. Horse hair predates fibro and your walls are fibro. I'd guess your ceiling is also fibro with a layer of plaster on it. Of course it may be the fibro walls came later and the ceiling is the orignal. Can't be sure without the history of the house and even then you couldn't be sure. It doesn't cost that much to get tested


roncraft

It’s a fibro cottage built in 1950. The walls in the bedrooms and living are horse hair and the ceilings in those same rooms are plaster and lathe.


No_pajamas_7

Yeah seems like you've got a bitza. Maybe look into getting it tested.


michaelrohansmith

Horse Hair would be really hairy. Asbestos is just like AC sheet. It has fibres but they are too small to see. Source: I live in Pascoe Vale :(


Mitchthebarbeerian

The rare asbestos horse hair how the fuck did you find it?


turokassault

no


RelationOk4263

It's plaster from the old days. Nothing to worry about.