Asbestos-cement cladding – loose or missing fixings

Cause

Movement of cladding sheets

Repair

  • if you are not sure whether a fibre-cement cladding contains asbestos, you can get a small piece (about the size of two $2 coins, or approximately 2 x 3 cm) tested at one of the labs listed on our asbestos page

  • if the cladding itself is in good condition and not shedding any fibres, tighten existing fixings where necessary. Replace loose, damaged or missing fixings

  • if the cladding is in poor condition it should be replaced. You will need to call in a licensed asbestos removalist. You can find a registry of licensed removalists on the WorkSafe New Zealand website

  • breathing in asbestos fibres can lead to serious and potentially fatal illnesses. Do not do anything to the material that releases fibres into the air. Work with materials that contain asbestos is very strictly controlled. You can find more asbestos information for homeowners on the WorkSafe website

Cause

Deterioration of fixings

Repair

    • if you are not sure whether a fibre-cement cladding contains asbestos, you can get a small piece (about the size of two $2 coins, or approximately 2 x 3 cm) tested at one of the labs listed on our asbestos page

    • if the cladding itself is in good condition and not shedding any fibres, tighten existing fixings where necessary. Replace loose, damaged or missing fixings

    • if the cladding is in poor condition it should be replaced. You will need to call in a licensed asbestos removalist. You can find a registry of licensed removalists on the WorkSafe New Zealand website

    • breathing in asbestos fibres can lead to serious and potentially fatal illnesses. Do not do anything to the material that releases fibres into the air. Work with materials that contain asbestos is very strictly controlled. You can find more asbestos information for homeowners on the WorkSafe website