It’s a question many homeowners eventually face, especially during renovation: “Can I just remove the asbestos myself?” At first, it may seem like a practical, money-saving option. But asbestos isn’t dangerous because of how it looks, it’s dangerous because of what happens when it’s disturbed. Once fibres are released, there is no way to undo exposure. 

If your home was built or renovated between the 1930s and the late 1980s, there’s a reasonable chance asbestos was used somewhere in the fabric of the building. It was added to products for strength and fire resistance and, at the time, was seen as a smart upgrade. Decades later, many of those materials are still in place, sometimes behind fresh paint or under newer finishes, and the risk appears when they’re drilled, sanded or removed. 

When it comes to asbestos, one of the most common questions we hear is: “What does it actually look like?” 

 

The simple truth is that asbestos doesn’t always look dangerous. In fact, it was deliberately mixed into everyday construction materials to make them stronger and more fire-resistant, meaning it can blend in with ordinary plaster, cement, tiles, or insulation.