Expert Advice & FAQ's

  • The Dangers of Asbestos

    Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of many, small, extremely strong fibres. It was a popular additive in building materials because it was super strong and highly resistant to heat, fire, chemicals and general wear and tear.

  • Drinking Water in New Zealand

    If you live in a town or city then the water that comes out of your tap probably comes from the local 'town supply'. Most town supplies are run by the local council who source the water from a nearby river or from an underground aquifer and treat it in a water treatment plant. 

  • Soil Contamination FAQ's

    Very low concentrations of some heavy metals are necessary for plant nutrition and human health. In high concentrations, however, and when we are exposed to them over a long period of time, some of these same heavy metals can cause long-term health issues. Soil quality can be affected by what the land has been used for in the past, what pollutants are on the property (eg; a dwelling with lead-based paint), what has been or is being sprayed around your land, and how close you are to pollution sources.

  • Could Your Pets Have Lead Poisoning?

    It is surprisingly common for pets such as chickens and dogs to get lead poisoning from soil in New Zealand, thanks largely to our historic use of lead-based paint and in part due to our usage of leaded fuel and various other industrial and horticultural activities.

  • Pre-Purchase Due Diligence Soil Testing

    You have found your dream house and want to put in an offer, but have you considered why you should test your soil as part of the pre-purchase due diligence process?

    There are many different ways that New Zealand land has been contaminated. It is possible that renovations or demolitions of buildings or structures were not managed properly and the soil contains contaminants, such as lead from lead-based paint or asbestos. If you are purchasing an older house, it may have been painted with lead-based paint and the lead may be in the soil from previous paint flaking or sanding.

  • Why Gardeners Should Test Their Soil

    Most New Zealand homes have at least a small garden or lawn, and many Kiwis are keen to grow trees, flowers, fruit and/or vegetables in their backyard. Soil quality plays an enormous part in whether your gardening is successful.

  • Why You Should Test Your Soil

    Some of the more common contaminants in soil include asbestos and heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel and zinc. These can all impact human health and some can be fatal to pets. Pesticides like glyphosate and DDT are also a concern.