A DIY renovation project is a great way to add value to your property however, there are many risks involved when making home renovations. In addition to the obvious hazards like using dangerous equipment and working with electrics, home renovations come with the potentially lethal danger of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that became extremely popular among manufacturers and builders during the 1900s. Because of its unique properties, including tensile strength, fire resistance and sound absorption, it became a cheap and easy way to solve many material design problems in home construction.

Unfortunately, over time we have learned that asbestos has a less glamorous side. Asbestos fibers that work so well in many different applications can cause serious health problems. Breathing in asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis (scarring of the lung tissue), pleural disease, lung cancer and mesothelioma. A single asbestos fiber can potentially develop into a life-threatening disease.

Over the years, asbestos was used in anything from oven mitts, shoe soles and cigarette filters but the most common use was inside our own homes.

Asbestos is not just a problem of the past. The reality is that over two thirds of the houses today, including nearly all that were built prior to 1984, used asbestos during their construction. That means that it is highly likely you may be surrounded by the asbestos unless the house has been updated and the asbestos removed.

However, asbestos-containing materials are generally safe as long as they are well maintained. That means that it's only when it is damaged, by external factors such as weather conditions or human interference, that asbestos dust is produced, releasing the dangerous fibers into the air.

It does have serious implications for any work you do on your home, whether it's simple maintenance or a much larger renovation project.

The most common areas where you're likely to find asbestos in your home include:

- Outer wall cladding

- Ceiling and wall panels

- Vinyl floor tiles

- Vinyl sheet backing or underlay

- Roof sheeting and cladding

- Insulation to pipes

- Ventilators, sewer vent & flue pipes

- Support beams

- Adhesives & sealants

If your house was built before 1990, before starting any DIY major renovation project we recommend that you hire an asbestos expert to conduct an audit of your home. They will be able to identify - and help remove safely - any asbestos-containing materials. Do not attempt to remove asbestos yourself.

See related articles:

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Ceramic Tile Saw Safety Tips

Childproofing Your Bathroom

Common DIY Home Safety Tips