Deciding to build a granny flat is simple, designing and building the extension can be a lot harder. You'll have a lot of questions to answer along the way. Can you use a general contractor or is is better to use one who has built a lot of granny flats before? Is a template design better than a customised one? Should you let the person who'll live in the flat have a say in what it looks like? Luckily, I'm here to help. My name is Maria. We moved my Mum into a purpose-built granny flat last year, so I've had to answer all these questions and more. I thought it'd be useful for other people to see how we managed the process, so here we are — get reading!
What to Expect During Asbestos Testing
Protecting your household from exposure to asbestos should be a top priority for every homeowner. If you suspect asbestos is present in your house, you'll need to seek out asbestos testing services. But do you know what the process involves? If you've never had asbestos testing done in your house before, you might want to know what happens during the process.
Here's a lowdown on how asbestos testing services test for asbestos.
Identifying potential asbestos-containing materials
The first thing an asbestos testing service will do is inspect your house to identify building materials that may contain asbestos. The inspection can involve doing intrusive work to gain access to all areas of the home that are suspected to contain asbestos material.
Some common types of asbestos-containing materials found in homes include wall insulation, ceiling board, sheet vinyl and floor tiles. The site inspection will be performed at a time that's convenient for you.
Taking samples for testing
It's difficult to tell that a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it with the naked eye. The asbestos testing consultant will take a small sample of the materials suspected to contain asbestos for lab testing. The material samples will be dampened and put in a self-sealing plastic bag. The bag is then labelled appropriately before being sent to the lab for testing.
Testing and analysing samples
Once material samples get to the lab, the appropriate method of microscopy will be used to confirm whether or not the samples contain asbestos. You'll get a detailed report revealing the results of the tests performed.
If no asbestos is found, this will give you peace of mind that your home is asbestos-free. It will also reduce the cost of your asbestos management project. But if asbestos is discovered, you'll need to get rid of it immediately.
You'll need to seek out the services of an asbestos removal contractor, and this can get expensive depending on the amount and type of asbestos discovered. You may also have to seek accommodation elsewhere while the removal process is ongoing at your home.
When it comes to the safety of your home and those you love, you should leave nothing to chance. If you're concerned about asbestos exposure in your home, seek out the services of an asbestos testing professional. Handling asbestos-containing material poses inherent health risks, so it is best to leave the job to someone who knows what to look for.