Advice wanted: Fibroplank cladding & textured ceiling...

[baggy]

Hi All,

Apologies if this is the wrong place to post. I am looking at a place which was built in 1992, it has a textured ceiling throughout, from what I understand they stopped using asbestos in the mid 80's - is that right?

According to the plans, the external sheathing / cladding is Hardies / fibroplanks - can anyone tell me what that is and does it contain asbestos?

Thanks,


Baggy.

[Vai-man]

Nah it wont have asbestos, hardies is fibre cement.

[Winston001]

I don't think asbestos has been used for decades. Fibrous cement boards are a composite material made of cement, wood fibre, and glue. The wood fibre gives bulk, strength and flexibility to the board which would otherwise simply be a sheet of cement and snap easily.

Asbestos is a mineral, used to be the fibre of choice and it was very good. Wood fibre by comparison is biological material which means it soaks up water over time. It is also susceptible to mould and bacteria which breaks the fibre down. In other words, it can rot. Asbestos can never rot.

Having said that, fibrous plaster boards protected by paint and maintained over the years appear to function well.

[JABlog]

I don't think asbestos has been used for decades. Fibrous cement boards are a composite material made of cement, wood fibre, and glue. The wood fibre gives bulk, strength and flexibility to the board which would otherwise simply be a sheet of cement and snap easily.

Asbestos is a mineral, used to be the fibre of choice and it was very good. Wood fibre by comparison is biological material which means it soaks up water over time. It is also susceptible to mould and bacteria which breaks the fibre down. In other words, it can rot. Asbestos can never rot.

Having said that, fibrous plaster boards protected by paint and maintained over the years appear to function well.

Very concise, I have a Fletcher home, and upstairs its cement fibre. how do you keep it maintained (painting ?)and what is its life span.

If fletcher gives it a 7 yr gurantee should I get an inspection done before my 7 years is up? With last night rain lashing on the sides, I am sure its getting more water soaked than recommended.

[Maccachic]

If you have not followed the maintenance recomendations from the manufacturer, the warrenty will generally be voided. This is one of the reasons the cladding companies have not been held liable for defective buildings. Def pays to check the manufacturers recomendations, follow them and have evidence that you have done so.

[PC]

Why would anyone clad a house with an expect lifetime > 50yrs with a product that only has a 7yr guarantee?

Does this make the building depreciable?

[sooty]

If the house was built in 1922, I believe the short tile like scolloped wall cladding may contain it. Theese may need checking. The straight smooth planks about 5m long will be ok. As well as the sandblasted weathered look.Theese where popular in the 70s, so the house will have been reclad.The ceiling shit may have it, how do you tell. the later stuff was good, but would need checking. To get someone remove it will be expensive. Plastic on the floor tape to the walls, wet it down with sprayer ,scrape it, bag it, seal and paint ceiling

[Vai-man]

Why would anyone clad a house with an expect lifetime > 50yrs with a product that only has a 7yr guarantee?

Does this make the building depreciable?

Cladding only has to have a 15year durability unless its structural. but yes it seems silly.