Nailing into asbestos cement sheets is not considered safe and is best avoided entirely. Drilling, nailing, or cutting into asbestos-containing materials (ACM) can release harmful fibres into the air, posing a serious health risk to you, your family, and your neighbours. In New Zealand, working with asbestos is tightly regulated, and even small disturbances can have legal and health consequences.
Why Asbestos Cement Cladding Is Risky to Disturb
Asbestos cement sheets — sometimes called fibrolite or Super Six — were widely used in NZ homes built before the late 1980s. The asbestos fibres in these sheets are bound within cement, which makes them relatively stable when left undisturbed. However, the moment you drive a nail or drill a hole, you risk fracturing the material and releasing respirable asbestos fibres into the air.
Inhaling these microscopic fibres can cause serious diseases including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer — often not appearing until decades after exposure. There is no known safe level of asbestos fibre inhalation.
What NZ Law Says About Disturbing Asbestos
In New Zealand, asbestos work is governed by the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, administered by WorkSafe NZ. Key points for homeowners:
- Class A asbestos removal (friable or high-risk work) must be carried out by a licensed Class A removalist.
- Class B asbestos removal (non-friable ACM such as asbestos cement sheets) must be carried out by a licensed Class B or Class A removalist.
- Even minor disturbance of asbestos cement — including nailing, drilling, or grinding — is considered asbestos removal work if it disturbs the material beyond incidental contact.
- Homeowners doing DIY work on their own homes are not automatically exempt from these rules if the work creates a risk to others.
If you are unsure whether your cladding contains asbestos, do not disturb it until you have had it tested by an accredited laboratory.
How to Identify Asbestos Cement Cladding
You cannot identify asbestos by sight alone. However, the following are common indicators that your cladding may contain asbestos:
- Your home was built or clad before 1990 (asbestos was banned in most NZ building products from the late 1980s, though some products continued into the early 1990s)
- The sheets have a slightly rough, fibrous texture and a grey or off-white colour
- The product is branded as fibrolite, Hardiflex (older versions), or similar
To confirm, arrange sample testing through an accredited asbestos assessor or laboratory. Do not cut or break a sample yourself — have a professional take it safely.
What Are Your Options for Fixing Cladding?
If your cladding is confirmed or suspected to contain asbestos, here are the safest approaches:
Option 1: Leave It Alone
If the sheets are in good condition and firmly fixed, the safest option is often to leave them undisturbed. Asbestos cement in good condition poses minimal risk when intact.
Option 2: Overclad (Encapsulation)
In some cases, new cladding can be fixed over the existing asbestos cement sheets without disturbing them, using battens fixed to the framing rather than through the ACM. This approach requires careful planning and may need a building consent — check with your local council, as requirements vary.
Option 3: Licensed Removal and Replacement
If the sheets are damaged, deteriorating, or you need to do significant work, the safest long-term solution is to have the asbestos cement removed by a licensed Class B asbestos removalist and replaced with a modern product such as James Hardie fibre cement cladding (which does not contain asbestos).
Practical Safety Precautions (If Incidental Contact Occurs)
If you accidentally chip or crack an asbestos cement sheet:
- Stop work immediately and move away from the area
- Do not sweep or use a vacuum cleaner — this spreads fibres further
- Dampen the area lightly with water to suppress dust
- Contact a licensed asbestos assessor or removalist before continuing
- Refer to WorkSafe NZ guidance for emergency steps
When to Call a Professional
You should always engage a licensed asbestos professional if you:
- Need to remove, replace, or significantly repair asbestos cement cladding
- Are unsure whether your cladding contains asbestos
- Have already disturbed the material and are concerned about exposure
- Are planning a renovation that involves cutting, nailing, or grinding near suspect sheets
Licensed asbestos removalists are trained, equipped with proper PPE and negative-pressure equipment, and legally authorised to carry out this work safely. You can find qualified local asbestos removal specialists on tradedirectory.co.nz.
For larger projects, a licensed building practitioner (LBP) may also be involved in the recladding work once asbestos has been safely removed. Check the LBP register to verify credentials.
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