Asbestos in Older Bathrooms: What Drouin Homeowners Should Know

Why this matters before you renovate

Asbestos was widely used in Australian building products until the late 1980s and was fully banned in Australia from the end of 2003. Many homes in Drouin, Warragul, Longwarry, Bunyip and the surrounding farming districts were built or extended during the decades when asbestos-containing materials were common. Bathrooms and laundries were among the most likely rooms to use them, because fibre cement sheeting was a popular wet-area lining.

Asbestos in good condition and left undisturbed generally poses low risk. The danger arises when it is cut, drilled, broken or sanded, releasing fibres that can be breathed in. Bathroom demolition does exactly that. For this reason, checking for asbestos is a critical first step in renovating any bathroom in a home built before 1990.

This guide explains where asbestos is commonly found in bathrooms, how it is identified, how removal works in Victoria and how it fits into a renovation timeline. It is general information, not a substitute for advice from licensed asbestos assessors and removalists.

Where asbestos may be found in bathrooms

Wall and ceiling sheeting

Fibre cement sheeting, sometimes called fibro, was commonly used to line bathroom walls and ceilings, especially in wet areas and in weatherboard homes. Sheeting made before the late 1980s may contain asbestos.

Behind tiles

Wall tiles were often fixed to fibre cement sheeting. The sheeting is hidden until the tiles are removed.

Floor coverings

Vinyl floor tiles, sheet vinyl and the backing or underlay beneath them, and some adhesives, may contain asbestos.

Eaves and external cladding

Eaves linings and external sheeting near bathrooms, such as on enclosed verandahs where bathrooms were added to farmhouses, may contain asbestos.

Window putty and sealants

Some older putties, mastics and sealants contained asbestos.

Flues and vents

Older flue pipes and vent components may contain asbestos.

Hot water services and pipe lagging

Older lagging around pipes and some older hot water units may contain asbestos.

Enclosed verandah bathrooms

In Drouin’s older farmhouses, bathrooms were often added to rear verandahs in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s using fibre cement sheeting for walls and floors. These additions are common places to find asbestos.

Signs a material might contain asbestos

You cannot confirm asbestos by looking. However, materials that may warrant testing include:

• Flat or textured grey cement sheets
• Sheeting with a dimpled pattern on one side
• Old vinyl tiles, particularly small square tiles
• Old sheet vinyl with a fibrous backing
• Corrugated cement sheeting in outbuildings

If a material was installed before 1990 and might contain asbestos, treat it as though it does until testing confirms otherwise.

Testing

A sample is taken by a qualified person and analysed by an accredited laboratory. Sampling itself must be done carefully to avoid releasing fibres. Results typically take a few days. In some cases, an asbestos inspection report covering the whole area to be renovated is prepared.

At our design consultations in homes built before 1990, we look for materials that may contain asbestos and recommend testing where needed before demolition is scheduled.

Removal in Victoria

Victoria has strict rules governing asbestos removal. Depending on the type and quantity of material, removal must be carried out by a licensed asbestos removalist. The removalist:

• Prepares the work area with barriers, signage and protective sheeting
• Uses wetting and controlled methods to minimise fibre release
• Wears appropriate protective equipment
• Seals waste in approved packaging
• Transports waste to a licensed disposal facility
• Cleans the area thoroughly

After removal, a clearance inspection may be carried out by an independent assessor to confirm the area is safe before renovation continues.

Homeowners should never attempt to remove asbestos materials themselves during a bathroom renovation. The risks to health are serious, and illegal dumping of asbestos carries penalties.

How asbestos affects the renovation timeline

When asbestos is found, the renovation sequence typically becomes:

1. Design consultation and initial inspection.

2. Sampling and laboratory testing.

3. Scheduling of the licensed removalist.

4. Removal and clearance.

5. General demolition of remaining materials.

6. Repairs, rough-in, waterproofing, tiling and fit-off.

Testing and removal can add time at the start of the project, so planning ahead helps. We include these steps in the project schedule so they do not cause unexpected delays.

Living in the home during removal

Asbestos removal is carefully contained, but households may be asked to stay out of the area, keep windows closed in nearby rooms and keep pets away during removal. The removalist will explain any requirements.

Neighbours

In town areas of Drouin, neighbours may notice the removalist’s signage and protective equipment. Letting neighbours know in advance can avoid concern. The work is controlled and regulated to protect everyone nearby.

Asbestos in adjoining rooms

Bathroom renovations sometimes extend into hallways, laundries and separate toilets. These spaces may contain similar materials. Testing should cover every area that will be disturbed.

When asbestos is found mid-project

Occasionally, asbestos-containing materials are discovered after demolition has begun, hidden behind other layers. If this happens, work stops in the affected area, the material is sampled and tested and a licensed removalist is engaged if necessary. A careful renovator anticipates this possibility in older homes and treats unknown materials cautiously.

After removal: rebuilding the bathroom

Once asbestos is removed and the area cleared, the bathroom is rebuilt with modern materials:

• Fibre cement sheeting made today does not contain asbestos.
• Wet-area linings and substrates are installed to suit the room.
• Waterproofing is applied to AS 3740.
• New tiles, fixtures and fittings complete the room.

The finished bathroom is free of the old material in the areas renovated, which can give peace of mind for future maintenance.

Questions to ask a renovator

• Will you check for asbestos before demolition?
• Who will carry out testing?
• Will removal be done by a licensed removalist?
• Will there be a clearance inspection?
• How does this affect the timeline?
• What happens if asbestos is found after demolition begins?

A note on scope

Because asbestos testing and removal depend on the materials found, the scope is confirmed after testing. We explain this clearly at the consultation and set out how any removal will be handled in the written scope, so there are no surprises.

Our approach

Every renovation we carry out in a home built before 1990 starts with an assessment for possible asbestos. We arrange testing where needed, coordinate licensed removal and clearance and only begin demolition once the area is confirmed safe. Our team is licensed and insured and follows safe work practices throughout. Protecting your family, your neighbours and our team comes first.

Useful resources

WorkSafe Victoria and the Victorian Government’s asbestos information service provide detailed guidance for homeowners, including how to find licensed removalists and how to dispose of asbestos waste lawfully. We recommend reading their guidance if your home was built before 1990 and you are planning any renovation, not only a bathroom.

Homes on stumps and subfloor checks

In older farmhouses around Drouin South, Jindivick, Buln Buln and Labertouche, sheeting may also appear beneath floors, around subfloor enclosures or in old laundries and outbuildings. While the bathroom floor is open, take care with anything stored or installed beneath the house. If additional materials are suspected, testing can be extended to these areas.

Asbestos and the rest of your renovation plans

If you are planning several renovations over time, such as a bathroom first and then a kitchen or laundry, consider having a broader asbestos inspection of the home. An asbestos register for the house helps every future tradesperson plan their work safely, and it is useful information if you sell the home.

Common myths

• Myth: if it looks fine, it is safe to remove. Condition does not determine whether removal releases fibres.
• Myth: wetting it down makes DIY removal safe. Wetting reduces but does not eliminate risk, and regulations still apply.
• Myth: only very old homes contain asbestos. Homes built up to the late 1980s may contain it.
• Myth: small amounts do not matter. Any disturbance of asbestos should be managed properly.

Laundries and enclosed porches

Laundries in older Drouin homes were often built in the same era and with the same materials as bathrooms. Many sit in enclosed rear porches lined with fibre cement sheeting inside and out. If you are renovating a laundry or converting a porch into a mudroom, the same precautions apply. Sheeting on walls, ceilings and the underside of floors may need testing, and old vinyl on the floor may contain asbestos in its backing. Combining the bathroom and laundry into one assessment saves time and gives a clear picture of the work required.

Drilling and small jobs

Asbestos risk is not limited to full renovations. Drilling holes for a new towel rail, cutting a hole for an exhaust fan or replacing a vanity can disturb asbestos-containing sheeting. Before any work on walls and ceilings in an older bathroom, even small jobs, check whether the material might contain asbestos. If in doubt, have it tested first.

Keeping records

Keep the test results, removal paperwork and clearance certificate with your home records. They are valuable for future renovations, insurance and if you sell the property.

Living in the house during asbestos work

If asbestos is confirmed, the removal area is sealed and signposted, and access is restricted until the work is finished. Licensed removalists use wet methods, plastic sheeting and specialised vacuums to limit fibre release, then bag and label waste for disposal at an approved facility. For larger removals, an independent clearance inspection may be carried out before other trades return. Families with young children or people with respiratory conditions sometimes choose to stay elsewhere on removal days. Ask your renovator how the removal will be sequenced, how long it will take, and what paperwork you will receive afterwards. Keep the test results, removal records and clearance certificate with your house documents, as they are useful if you sell or renovate other rooms later.

Other places asbestos may appear

Beyond the bathroom itself, older Drouin homes may contain asbestos in eaves, external sheeting, vinyl floor tiles in adjoining laundries, and backing boards behind meter panels. Plan any related work with the same care.

The bottom line

If your Drouin home was built before 1990, assume that bathroom linings and floor coverings may contain asbestos until testing proves otherwise. Plan for testing early, use licensed removalists where required and work with a renovator who treats this step seriously. It adds a little time at the start, but it protects the health of everyone in the home.

Our bathroom services

• Accessible Bathrooms
• Bathroom Design
• Bathroom Renovations
• Bathroom Tiling
• Ensuite Renovations
• Freestanding Baths
• Laundry Renovations
• Leaking Shower Repairs
• Shower Conversions
• Small Bathroom Renovations
• Vanities and Storage
• Waterproofing