How to tell if I have asbestos?
It is not always easy to tell whether a product contains asbestos unless it is labelled. If in doubt, treat the material as if it contains asbestos and leave it alone, The best and reliable way to know if your home contains asbestos is to hire an Asbestos company offering testing or survey services to come and carry out an inspection. If any samples are taken of any suspected materials you should get a results analysis certificate from a UKAS accredited laboratory. Such services could cost anywhere between £90-£150 for 1-3 samples to £150-£450 for bulk samples.
Where can I find asbestos in my home?
Most homes built before 1980 are more likely to contain asbestos in old floor tiles, ceiling artex or decorative textured coating, ceiling tiles, corrugated roof sheets on garage or shed, insulation (around boilers, ducts, pipes, sheeting, fireplaces), cement flue pipe, cement water tank, back door insulation panels(fire door, boiler cupboard door). Soffits, facia, gaskets, old electric fuse box, old toilet cisterns.
Can I remove asbestos?
Handling or disturbing of asbestos materials can be dangerous especially if the material is worn, damaged, deteriorated or damaged. We don’t recommend DIY asbestos removal if you don’t have the appropriate training. Asbestos-containing materials that aren’t damaged or disturbed are not likely to pose a health risk. Usually the best thing is to leave asbestos-containing material alone if it is in good condition.
Where can I dispose asbestos?
Asbestos is a hazardous substance and must be disposed to a licensed transfer station or landfill designed for hazardous waste. Not only will you get heavily fined but It is illegal to dispose asbestos as waste through facilities provided for householders, including household kerbside collection bins, street bins, recycling banks or recycling centres, fly tipping. Use a specialist asbestos company that has a Hazardous Waste Carriers Licence and complies with BOHS P402 Standards. And when they remove the asbestos, they are legally obliged to provide you with a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note – a written document detailing what is being removed, the address, date and parties involved in the transfer.