No — you must never use a heat gun, sander, scraper, or any other power tool on textured paint that contains or may contain asbestos. Doing so is not only extremely dangerous to your health, it is also illegal under New Zealand law. This article explains why, what the rules are, and what your safe options actually are.
Why Heat Guns and Asbestos Are a Deadly Combination
Textured paints — sometimes called stipple, Artex, or blown-vinyl coatings (note: blown-vinyl is generally a separate product type and may not contain asbestos — check with a licensed asbestos assessor) — applied to walls and ceilings in New Zealand homes built or renovated before the mid-1980s frequently contained asbestos fibres. When you apply heat, sand, scrape, or otherwise disturb these coatings, microscopic asbestos fibres become airborne. Inhaling those fibres can cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer — diseases that may not appear for 20–40 years after exposure. There is no safe level of asbestos fibre inhalation.
A heat gun is particularly hazardous because it:
- Softens the coating and causes it to crumble and release fibres
- Creates an airflow that spreads fibres throughout the room and into your HVAC system
- Generates heat that can further break down the binder holding fibres in place
NZ Legal Requirements for Asbestos Work
Under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, asbestos removal in New Zealand is tightly controlled. Key points for homeowners:
- Class A asbestos removal (which includes friable or high-risk materials) must be carried out by a licensed Class A removalist with a WorkSafe NZ licence.
- Class B asbestos removal (non-friable materials in good condition, less than 10 m²) may be carried out by a licensed Class B removalist — or in some limited circumstances by a homeowner on their own home — but only following strict controls.
- Textured paint that is being disturbed (e.g., scraped, sanded, or heated) is treated as friable, which means it almost certainly falls under Class A requirements regardless of the area involved.
- You must not use power tools, heat guns, high-pressure water, or dry sanding on any suspected asbestos-containing material.
Always check with WorkSafe NZ for the current regulations, as requirements can change.
Step 1 — Test Before You Touch Anything
Before any removal work begins, you need to know whether the textured paint actually contains asbestos. Do not assume it is safe just because it looks intact.
- Engage a licensed asbestos assessor to take a sample safely and have it analysed by an accredited laboratory.
- Do not attempt to take samples yourself by scraping or cutting — this can release fibres.
- If your home was built or last renovated before approximately 1985, treat all textured coatings as suspect until proven otherwise.
BRANZ has useful guidance on identifying asbestos-containing materials in older NZ homes.
What Are the Safe and Legal Options?
If testing confirms asbestos is present in your textured paint, you have a few options:
Option 1 — Encapsulation (Leave It in Place)
If the coating is in good condition and not being disturbed, the safest and often most cost-effective approach is encapsulation — sealing the surface with a suitable paint or coating so fibres cannot escape. This is not a permanent solution if you plan to renovate later, but it is low-risk when done correctly. Discuss this with a licensed asbestos assessor.
Option 2 — Overline with New Lining
In some situations, installing new plasterboard over the top of the existing surface (rather than removing it) can be a practical solution. This contains the asbestos material without disturbing it. Check with your local council whether a building consent is required — MBIE Building Performance has information on Schedule 1 exemptions, but your council has the final say.
Option 3 — Licensed Removal
If removal is necessary, hire a WorkSafe-licensed Class A asbestos removalist. They will:
- Set up a contained work area with negative air pressure
- Use wet methods and appropriate PPE (P3 respirators, disposable suits)
- Dispose of waste at an approved facility in accordance with NZ regulations
- Provide a clearance certificate on completion
You can find qualified local asbestos removal specialists on tradedirectory.co.nz.
Disposal Rules
Asbestos waste cannot go in your general rubbish or skip bin. It must be double-bagged in heavy-duty polythene, clearly labelled, and taken to a landfill licensed to accept asbestos waste. Your licensed removalist will handle this as part of their service. Contact your local council for approved disposal sites if you need further guidance.
When to Call a Professional
You should call a licensed asbestos professional immediately if:
- You have already disturbed textured paint with a heat gun, sander, or scraper (vacate the area, do not re-enter without advice)
- Testing confirms asbestos is present in your coating
- You are planning any renovation that will affect walls or ceilings in a pre-1985 home
- You are unsure whether a material contains asbestos
Never attempt Class A asbestos removal yourself. The health consequences are irreversible, and the legal penalties for unlicensed removal are significant. Find a qualified asbestos removal specialist on tradedirectory.co.nz to get the job done safely and legally.
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