Can my plumber take out an old asbestos flue?

Only within the unlicensed limit, and only with proper controls. Many plumbers prefer a licensed removalist to take it out first.

Can I put a broken downpipe in the bin?

No. Asbestos must never go in a kerbside bin. See asbestos disposal in Bendigo.

Asbestos Flues, Gutters & Downpipes Bendigo

Asbestos flues, gutters and downpipes

Before Colorbond and PVC, many Victorian homes had asbestos cement fittings: heater and hot water flues, gutters, downpipes and the odd vent pipe. They're bonded asbestos, and they're often forgotten until a re-roof or a new heater.

Updated 26 October 2026 · Sources listed at the foot of this page

Where they are on Bendigo houses

Flues from old gas or wood heaters and hot water services, running through the roof or up an external wall
Downpipes and gutters on 1950s–70s homes and outbuildings
Vent pipes for plumbing, poking through the roof
Sheds and garages, often paired with an asbestos cement roof

How to recognise them

Grey, cement-like pipe, sometimes painted, heavier and thicker-walled than metal or PVC
Moulded collars and joints rather than crimped or glued ones
A matt, slightly rough surface, sometimes with lichen on older outdoor fittings
A house or outbuilding built before 1990

When they need attention

Replacing a heater or hot water service. The old flue usually comes out.
Re-roofing or re-guttering. Fittings are disturbed or replaced.
Damage. Cracked downpipes after a storm, or a flue knocked loose.

Removal

Flues, gutters and downpipes are bonded asbestos. A small amount may fall within the unlicensed limit of 10 m² and no more than an hour of work in any seven days. In practice they come out alongside other work, often with an asbestos roof or eaves, and a WorkSafe Victoria licensed removalist handles them together. Pieces are removed whole where possible, wrapped and taken to a licensed facility. Your plumber, roofer or heating installer fits the replacements.

How it's tested

A small chip is taken from a cut end or joint where the material is already exposed, with the surface wetted first. Flues are sampled with the heater or hot water service turned off and cold.