Asbestos Vinyl Floor and Underlay Removal in Adelaide
Clear scope and one fixed written price before work starts.
SafeWork SA licensed. We'll be in touch within 30 minutes.
The short answer
Vinyl backing and underlay are on the SA list of common asbestos spots.
Before you pull up old lino or vinyl tiles, test them.
If the lab finds asbestos, we lift it carefully,
wrap it and get the room cleared.
Vinyl and underlay removal is quoted on site.
About vinyl floors and underlay in Adelaide
Old lino often hides a felt like backing,
and older vinyl tiles may sit on adhesive and underlay.
Scraping them up dry is exactly what not to do.
We test each layer, then lift what needs to go while keeping it damp.
The floor is left clean and ready for the next layer.
How we do vinyl and underlay work
- 1
Test each layer
Top layer, backing and underlay sampled separately.
- 2
Seal the room
Doorways sealed and the room cleared of furniture.
- 3
Lift wet
Material kept damp and lifted, not dry scraped.
- 4
Clean and clear
Floor cleaned and the room independently cleared.
The asbestos rules in South Australia
When your home was built
Built or renovated before the mid-1980s: asbestos products highly likely.
Mid-1980s to 1990: likely. After 1990: unlikely but not guaranteed.
Only a NATA accredited lab test confirms it.
Class A or Class B
Bonded asbestos is set firm in cement sheeting.
Friable asbestos crumbles by hand. Class A covers friable and bonded asbestos.
Class B covers bonded only.
Licensed work means more than 10 m² of bonded asbestos,
or any friable asbestos.
The 10 m² line
A contractor without a licence can only remove 10 m² or less of bonded
asbestos per project, and cannot split a job to get under it.
Friable asbestos always needs a Class A removalist.
SA guidance says homeowners working on their own home do not legally need a
licence, but strongly recommends a licensed removalist.
Clearance before anyone moves back in
After Class A work, an independent licensed assessor does the clearance.
After Class B work, an independent competent person or assessor does it.
The area is only reoccupied after clearance.
What moves the price
Show the 4 price factors
- Floor area in m²
- How many layers
- How firmly it is stuck
- Whether the backing is friable
How it works, start to finish
One fixed quote, with independent air monitoring and clearance for licensed removal.
Quick chat. Tell us what you found and we tell you straight if it can wait.
Testing if needed. A small sealed sample goes to a NATA accredited lab for a clear answer.
Fixed quote. One written price for the work, the wrapping and the disposal.
Neighbours told. We let next door know what is happening, when, and for how long.
SafeWork SA notified. For licensed removal, SafeWork SA hears from us at least 5 days before work starts.
Independent air monitoring. An independent licensed assessor checks the air before and during licensed removal.
Removal. The area is sealed, sheets come out whole and damp, then double wrapped.
Independent clearance. Someone independent checks the area before anyone uses it again.
Waste to a licensed facility. Wrapped waste goes to a licensed facility and you keep the paperwork.
Vinyl and underlay: your questions
Is old lino backing friable?
It can be. If a felt like backing crumbles and contains asbestos,
it is treated as friable, which needs a Class A removalist.
Can I lay new flooring over it?
Often yes, if it is sound and stays undisturbed.
Test first so you know what is underneath.
What about the floorboards under it?
We clean the boards once the material is up,
so your flooring layer starts fresh.
Is this lino or underlay asbestos?
It might be, and you cannot tell by looking.
Vinyl backing and underlay are on the SA list of common places for asbestos in
older homes. Leave it down, do not sand or scrape it, and get a sample tested.
A NATA accredited lab test is the only thing that confirms it.
Can I remove asbestos myself in SA?
SA guidance says a homeowner working on their own home does not legally need a
licence, but it strongly recommends a licensed removalist.
A contractor without a licence can only remove 10 m² or less of bonded
asbestos per project and cannot split a job to get under that.
Friable asbestos always needs a Class A removalist.
What does a clearance certificate cover?
It confirms the work area is fit to use again after removal.
After Class A work, an independent licensed assessor does the clearance.
After Class B work, an independent competent person or assessor does it.
The area is only reoccupied once clearance is done.
Request an asbestos quote
We will be in touch within 30 minutes. If it can wait, we will say so.
If it should not be touched, we will tell you what to do in the meantime.
Then we do the job ourselves, start to finish.
- No photo upload needed. Just describe it.
- Your details are used only to answer you.