What Does Asbestos Look Like? A Visual Guide for Homeowners
Worried your home might contain asbestos? If your property was built or renovated before 1990, there’s a good chance it does. But asbestos doesn’t come with warning signs—so how can you tell?
In this guide, we’ll explain what asbestos can look like, where it’s commonly found in NSW homes, and why professional testing is the only way to be sure.
Serving homeowners across the Central Coast, Newcastle, Hunter, Sydney and beyond, Confluence Environmental provides fast, affordable asbestos inspections and testing.
What Does Asbestos Look Like?
The tricky thing is: asbestos can’t always be identified by sight alone. It was mixed into more than 3,000 building materials, and many of them look just like non-asbestos versions.
That said, here are some common appearances of materials that may contain asbestos:
1. Asbestos Cement Sheeting (aka 'Fibro')
Appearance: Flat or corrugated grey panels, often used in exterior walls, eaves, ceilings, fences, garages, or sheds.
Texture: Smooth or slightly gritty, sometimes with paint over it.
Warning signs: Nail holes with visible cracks, weathered edges, or broken pieces with fibrous edges.
Still found in many NSW homes built before the 1990s.
2. Bathroom Walls and Backings
Appearance: Sheeting behind tiles or as wall linings, sometimes coated with waterproof paint.
Where: Behind shower tiles, under floor tiles, or lining internal bathroom walls.
Risk: Cutting or removing tiles can disturb the sheeting underneath.
3. Kitchen Splashbacks and Vinyl Tile Underlays
Appearance: Flat cement sheet beneath older tiles or laminate, or thick black adhesive backing.
Note: Some vinyl tiles and glues used asbestos as a binder or adhesive.
4. Ceilings and Soffits
Appearance: Flat, square, or decorative “popcorn” ceiling panels.
Where: In living rooms, hallways, verandas, and eaves.
Texture: May appear fluffy, pebbled, or speckled—especially in textured finishes.
5. Roofing and Fencing
Appearance: Corrugated cement sheets (not to be confused with metal roofing).
Where: Older carports, garages, sheds, fences.
Clues: Often moss-covered, cracked, or brittle—especially with age.
Why Visual Checks Aren’t Enough
Even trained professionals can’t confirm asbestos presence just by looking. That’s why asbestos testing is essential—especially before:
Renovating or demolishing walls, ceilings, or flooring
Drilling, cutting, or sanding suspect materials
Buying an older property
Renting out a home built before 1990
Testing involves collecting a small sample and sending it to a NATA-accredited laboratory, where a microscope is used to identify asbestos fibres.
What to Do If You Suspect Asbestos
If you think your home may contain asbestos:
Don’t disturb it. Asbestos is most dangerous when airborne.
Don’t drill, cut, or sand it.
Contact Confluence Environmental for fast, safe asbestos sample collection and testing.
We’ll inspect the area, collect samples safely, and provide a clear report. If asbestos is found, we can also organise licensed removal through our trusted contractors.
Book an Asbestos Inspection Today
Don’t take chances with your family’s health. If your home was built before 1990 and you’re planning renovations—or just want peace of mind—we’re here to help.
Servicing: Central Coast, Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Sydney & NSW-wide
✔️ Qualified Assessors | ✔️ Fast Lab Results | ✔️ Removal Coordination Available
Contact us now to book an asbestos inspection
FAQs
Q: Can I tell if something is asbestos just by looking?
A: No. Visual inspections may suggest the possibility of asbestos, but only laboratory analysis can confirm it.
Q: Is it dangerous to live in a house with asbestos?
A: Asbestos is safest when undisturbed. The danger comes from drilling, sanding, or breaking materials that release fibres.
Q: How much does asbestos testing cost?
A: Our sample testing starts from $90, or $499 for our on-site sample collection and assessment package.