What to Expect on Asbestos Removal Day in Geelong
You have had the material tested, accepted a quote, and booked a date. For most Geelong homeowners, the next question is a practical one: what will actually happen on the day, and what do we need to do? Whether the job is a fibro fence in Corio, eaves in Belmont, a shed roof in Newtown or a bathroom strip-out in Ocean Grove, a licensed removal follows a similar pattern.
This guide walks through that pattern so there are no surprises. It is general information, and the details for your job will be set out in your quote and by the removalist on site. Always confirm current requirements with WorkSafe Victoria and EPA Victoria.
In the week before
Licensed asbestos removal in Victoria is notified to WorkSafe Victoria before the work begins, which is one reason removal is usually booked a little ahead rather than done the same afternoon you call. We look after that notification as part of the job.
This is also the time to tell your neighbours. A short note or a knock on the door, saying what is being removed, which day, and that it is being done by a licensed removalist, saves a lot of worry when they see signage and people in protective suits. If the job is a shared fence, the neighbour on the other side needs more than a courtesy note, because their side of the yard is part of the work area. Our Asbestos Fence & Shed Removal service covers how we handle shared boundaries.
Preparing the house and yard
For outdoor work such as a fence, shed or roof, clear a path for access, move cars, bikes, pot plants and outdoor furniture away from the work area, and keep the side gate unlocked or give us a key. For indoor work such as a bathroom, laundry or vinyl floor, empty the room completely, including towels, cabinets you want to keep and anything on the walls.
Close windows and doors near the work area, and switch off evaporative coolers or ducted systems that draw air from outside if the work is close to an intake. Plan for pets to be kept indoors or away from home for the day, and keep children well away from the area.
Do you need to leave?
For many outdoor jobs on bonded material, households do not need to move out. You will be asked to stay out of the marked work area and keep windows closed nearby. For indoor work, for larger jobs, or for anything involving friable material, you may be asked to stay away from the house or part of it until the work is finished and the area has been cleared. We will tell you which applies when we quote, so you can plan around it.
On the day
The crew arrives, walks the site and sets up. The work area is marked with barriers and warning signs, and for indoor work it is usually sealed off with plastic sheeting. The crew wears disposable coveralls and suitable respiratory protection.
The material is wetted down to keep dust down, then removed as whole as practical rather than broken, because unbroken sheets release far fewer fibres. Fixings are cut or drilled out carefully rather than smashed, and sheets are lowered by hand rather than dropped. Each piece is wrapped in heavy-duty plastic and sealed. Smaller debris and dust are cleaned up with wet wiping and specialised vacuums fitted with the right filters, never a household vacuum or a broom.
At the end of the job the crew decontaminates, bags their disposable gear as asbestos waste, and the wrapped material is loaded for transport. A typical fence or shed is often finished in a day. A roof replacement or a full-house job takes longer, and your quote will show the expected timeframe.
Disposal and paperwork
Asbestos waste is transported to an EPA-licensed facility and tracked from your property to the landfill. You should receive records of the disposal, and where the work requires it, a clearance certificate confirming the area is safe to reoccupy. Our EPA-Compliant Disposal & Clearance Certificates service explains what each document is and why it is worth keeping, especially if you sell the property later.
What happens next
Once the material is gone and the area is cleared, the next trade can move in. On a roof job, our Asbestos Roof Removal & Colorbond Replacement service means the new roof goes on straight after removal so the house is not left open. On a fence job, the replacement fence can follow, and on a renovation your builder or tiler can start on a clean, cleared space.
Questions worth asking before the day
Ask what the work area will be and where the crew will park. Ask whether you need to be home, or just provide access. Ask what clearance and disposal paperwork you will receive and when. A licensed removalist should answer all of that plainly.
If you have asbestos to remove anywhere across Geelong, from Corio and Norlane to Belmont, Newtown and the Bellarine, get in touch. We will test anything that has not been identified, give you a written quote, and explain exactly how your removal day will run.