It is very difficult to identify the presence of asbestos just by looking at it. As a general rule, certain building materials installed before the late 1980s may contain asbestos. However, the only way to be certain is to have a sample of the material analyzed by a laboratory.
Some places it may be found:
Chimney Flues
Flat, Patterned or Corrugated wall and roof sheeting
Lagging on hot water pipes
Vinyl floor tiles & Backing to cushion tile & vinyl flooring
Asbestos cement sheeting- internal and external walls, ceilings & floors
Insulation in wood heaters, Electrical wires, and basic home/ business insulation
Asbestos cement sheeting beneath heater hearths
Garages & carports, Dog kennels and Garden Sheds
Imitation brick or weatherboard cladding
Electrical meter boards
Lining under eves
Confirmation through laboratory testing should be completed before any general maintenance, renovation or demolition activities proceed.
If you do not want to go to the expense of testing to determine if asbestos is present, then the material should be treated as though it contains asbestos.