Asbestos and silica come first in Perth after-builders cleaning
WA's asbestos advice
Healthy WA says that if your home was built before 1990, it likely contains asbestos in some building products. It lists wall and ceiling panels, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, toilets and laundries, along with vinyl floor tiles, linoleum backing and the backing for wall tiles and splashbacks.
Check before the work starts
Healthy WA says to check for hidden asbestos products before renovating an older home, because they can sit beneath newer walls, floors and ceiling spaces. Asbestos isn't part of a cleaning job. If it may be in the area, sort that out first with a licensed asbestos removalist.
Silica dust
Crystalline silica is found in concrete, bricks, tiles and mortar, and cutting them makes a very fine dust. Australia banned the installation of engineered stone benchtops from 1 July 2024, but dust from other building materials is still part of any build.
A house means a lot of surfaces
Separate houses made up 78% of occupied homes in Greater Perth in the 2021 Census. An extension or a new build means dust in every cupboard, track and light fitting, so give the business the floor area and the rooms affected.
What a Perth builders clean should never do
Don't dry sweep, use compressed air or use high-pressure water on building dust. WorkSafe Victoria says those put silica dust into the air, and it lists mopping, wet wiping or a HEPA filtered Dust Class M or H vacuum as safer. SafeWork NSW says household vacuums should never be used where silica dust may be present, even with a HEPA filter. In a home built or renovated before 1990, don't sweep or vacuum material that might contain asbestos, and Healthy WA says high-pressure water or air can't be used on asbestos products.
From cupboards to floors on a Perth builders clean
- Fine dust on every surface, including inside cupboards and drawers.
- Window frames and tracks.
- Light fittings.
- Floors.
- Paint or plaster spots on hard surfaces.
What a Perth after-builders clean leaves out
Rubbish removal isn't part of a cleaning job, so the builder or a skip needs to take care of offcuts and packaging first. Anything that may contain asbestos is out too. If you're not sure about a pile of old sheeting, leave it where it is and get advice before anyone touches it.
If it were our Perth build
Wait until the last trade has packed up and the skip has gone, because one more day of cutting undoes the lot. If the home was built or renovated before 1990, ask your builder what's been checked for asbestos before you book anyone. Then get the quote in writing, with the rooms and the dust handling spelled out.