How to add bamboo fence panels to an asbestos fence?

[Jeanii1]

I have an old Super 6 asbestos fence with the fibre cement capping. Strata are not going to replace it for a while, so I thought I'd look into bamboo panels. How would I attach them exactly? Is there an easy way of doing it without building entire wooden frames etc? Someone suggested S-hooks, but that sounds a bit flimsy and given the capping is roughly 15cm wide, it'd be hard to find hooks that wide anyway I think? The solution needs to last for a couple of years or so. 

Thanks. 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Jeanii1,

I would advise against directly attaching anything to it. Asbestos is safe if undisturbed, but even adding hooks or any kind of attachment could disturb it, potentially releasing harmful particles into the air. Wind or movement could exacerbate this risk as hooks may rub against the fence, disturbing the asbestos fibers.

The safest solution would be to create a self-supporting frame in front of the fence that does not make contact with it. Steel pickets could be a solid option for supporting the bamboo screen, ensuring that the fence remains undisturbed. This setup will also allow the bamboo panels to be securely attached without compromising the integrity of the existing fence.

For more tailored advice on dealing with your fence and ensuring safety, I recommend reaching out to an asbestos stabilisation expert who can provide you with specific guidance on how to approach this situation while adhering to safety standards. 

You might also like to check out this government information on asbestos.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Jeanii1]

Thanks. My next question was going to be around safety!