Removing join strips on a fibro house

jfalkows · Feb 08, 2007 2:52 am

I recently bought a fibro house which I'm thinking of painting to freshen it up. I was wondering if there is any way to remove the traditional joining strips that join the fibro sheets and replace them with something a little more subtle to give it a smoother look. Is this possible, and if so, what can I use instead?

ausdesign · Feb 09, 2007 4:45 pm

There's not an easy inexpensive way to achieve what you're looking for that I know of without the joints standing out. Removing the strips & rendering over the lot will give a good finish but will be expensive.
If the sheeting predates around 1985 chances are it will contain asbestos. If it is & you're going to mess with it read up on your obligations under the health act to keep yourself out of trouble.

jfalkows · Feb 10, 2007 7:59 am

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping that there would be a cheaper alternative to rendering. The sheeting is definitely pre-1985 and I have read all about Asbestos - will be very careful when doing any work with it.

grime · Feb 13, 2007 7:05 pm

Chances are now that as soon as you start work on site Worksafe will come a visiting. Illegal removal /transport/dumping of asbestos now carry heavy fines
My advise would be to 1 Leave it all well alone.You will be opening Pandoras Box by fiddling with it.
2 Remove the lot and start again using a registered asbestos remover who will make the site safe(which could mean you will have to move out for the duration),wrap the material,transport to a registered dump site,and clean up site after completion of work.
You may well need scientific testing of the air/ground around the site as well.

ausdesign · Feb 13, 2007 8:47 pm

Bunkum ! - but I do stand to be corrected.
The removal of asbestos by a home owner is covered under the health act and is enforced by local government under the nuisance act.
Worksafe only administer over a work place.
From memory owners in Vic can remove up to 10 sq meters & nsw 20 [in a seven day period]
If you employ someone they are required to hold a class B licence for rigid products & an A class for loose.
Transporting of asbestos is only covered by the EPA in Vic

grime · Feb 14, 2007 6:53 am

http://www.lchs.com.au/Asbestos/in_teh_home.htm
http://www.asbestos.plumbing.com.au/
http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/NR/rdon ... s_4064.pdf
http://www.dir.qld.gov.au/workplace/subjects/asbestos/
http://www.workcover.tas.gov.au/attach/gb149asbesto.pdf
http://www.abc.net.au/centralqld/stories/s1497927.htm

ausdesign · Feb 14, 2007 8:03 am

Good links Grime.
Asbestos IS a dangerous product - possibly more so in the home where DIYers, not knowing which materials can actually contain asbestos carry out renovation work dislodging fibres into the air. Eves linings, vinyl underlays, 'cement sheet' behind wall tiles & of course 'cement sheet' cladding etc etc
The more deadlier 'friable' asbestos [if you can be deader than dead] is probably less known about [material wise] by home owners.
Not taking away from the seriousness of tampering with the stuff, the point I was making was that Workcover has jurisdiction of the 'workplace' & in the home it is covered under the health act & administered by local council

grime · Feb 14, 2007 1:25 pm

Yep I understand Peter.My point was that in this day and age whether its Joe Blogs home owner pulling stuff off the walls or Harry the local handyman, the neighbours are more than likely to pick up the phone and call someone.
Once a complaint is made it generally has to be investigated, thereby drawing the crabs.
Another point would be IMHO that once the home owner engages a contractor it would be considered a worksite.
So if you do decide to engage a contractor make sure he has a current and adequate Public Liability Insurance,say $10m+,and that he is registered and licensed to do the appropriate work.
My main point is that its not really a DIY job these days,there is no known safe exposure level to asbestos so why chance it.
Perhaps the following from Archicentre covers it best.
http://archicentre.com.au/qa/buyers.html

mercersio · Mar 03, 2007 3:57 pm

jfalkows

I recently bought a fibro house which I'm thinking of painting to freshen it up. I was wondering if there is any way to remove the traditional joining strips that join the fibro sheets and replace them with something a little more subtle to give it a smoother look. Is this possible, and if so, what can I use instead?

hey jfalkows,

you can remove it, but is it really worth the costs. If its only the joining strips coming off, then expect to pay around $250 + tip fees. Depending on the strips if they are fibro or timber.

If you are just wanting to do it for cosmetic reasons, then I wouldn't bother with it.

Pick your favourite colour and paint away as the extra stress in trying to get rid of it, IMHO would not be worthwhile.

All the best
Peace out!