Asbestos
Asbestos is a material that was commonly used in properties built before 2000.
It was popular as its qualities made it a great protective layer for building materials and household products.
Why was asbestos banned?
Asbestos materials contain fibres. If these fibres are breathed into the lungs, this could result in asbestos related diseases.
It’s extremely unlikely the levels of asbestos fibres found in your home will be harmful. It’s not a risk to health unless it becomes damaged or disturbed.
Where is asbestos found?
Building materials containing asbestos started being used in the early 1900s. They were widely used between the 1960s and 1980s.
Houses and flats built or refurbished in the 1900’s may contain asbestos. All asbestos building products were banned in 1999.
Asbestos may be found in:
- Insulating board (such as pipe ducts, partition walls, fire doors)
- Fire break walls in lofts
- Soffit boards (on the exterior of buildings)
- Asbestos cement products, particularly found as corrugated roofing on garages and sheds
- Older water tanks
- Older fire safety items (particularly older fire blankets)
- Textured paints and plasters (artex) on walls and ceilings
- Roofing materials (roofing felts and tiles)
- Heating appliances (storage heaters)
- Boiler flues
- Some older plastic and vinyl floor tiles
- Older ceiling tiles
- Rainwater down pipes
- Pads on the underside of kitchen sinks.
How can you identify asbestos?
It’s not always easy to identify asbestos.
It is only confirmed if a material contains asbestos by looking at it under a microscope.
Who has information on asbestos?
We hold lots of information about the asbestos containing materials in our buildings.
Before undertaking any work to your home you should check with us before you start.
This will help to ensure you do not accidentally disturb any asbestos materials. Should you want more details about the asbestos in your home, please contact us.
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Who to talk to
If you have any concerns or questions regarding asbestos, or you believe asbestos may be in your home, please contact us.
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