If you think there’s asbestos in your home, you may be worried about the possible dangers. But if it’s left undisturbed, it shouldn’t cause any health risk. Asbestos is only dangerous when fibres become airborne. DIY activities (such as drilling, sawing, sanding or scrubbing) could result in brief, but high, levels of exposure.
If we suspect that asbestos could be a hazard, we’ll take action right away.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is the name for a group of fibrous minerals which are mechanically strong and resistant to heat, moisture and chemicals. It was a popular building material widely used between 1950 and 1999.
Properties built before 1999 could contain some form of asbestos material. Those who built after the mid-1990s, and particularly after 2000, are unlikely to contain materials or products.
What are the risks?
If left undisturbed and covered, for example if it’s painted, it generally isn’t a risk. Asbestos only becomes dangerous when the material it’s in gets damaged or disturbed – for example if it’s cut or is drilled into during building work or DIY. When this happens, tiny asbestos fibres can get released into the air, which can be breathed in.
Where might you find asbestos?
If you live in a building constructed before the year 2000, it could include asbestos-containing materials as they were used extensively throughout buildings. These are the most common areas where you might find asbestos in our buildings (although it is not limited to these):
- Soffits, eaves, rainwater systems
- Garage and shed roofs
- Linings for ceilings, walls and doors, and header panels above doors
- Ceiling tiles
- Insulation panels in some storage heaters
- Fire breaks in loft areas
- Bath panels and pipe boxing
- Boiler or fireplace flues
- Textured coating/Artex, cement water tanks and toilets cisterns
- Floor tiles and the bitumen adhesive underneath
Although more rare, asbestos can still be found in some older appliances and equipment in the home including ironing boards, heaters and fire blankets.
How is asbestos identified and dealt with?
It’s not always easy to tell whether a product contains asbestos, as modern materials often look similar. The only way to be sure is through laboratory analysis. We have specialist surveyors who will inspect your home for asbestos if we believe it’s a risk.
If we find any asbestos-containing materials that have been damaged, we’ll use specialist contractors to attend and remediate right away.
Before we carry out certain intrusive building work or repairs to your home, we will need to collate information about the presence, type and condition of any potential asbestos containing materials. We may already hold this but, if not, we will arrange for an asbestos survey (and, potentially, specialist removal works). We will liaise with you in advance if this is required. In these cases, if an asbestos survey cannot be carried out, then the planned works may not be allowed to go ahead.
What should I do if I think there's damage to an area containing asbestos?
If you think that an asbestos-containing material has been damaged in or around your home (including in communal areas), please report this immediately to us and we will act right away.
What should I do before starting DIY work?
You should always get permission from us before you start DIY works in your home. Please check your tenancy agreement or lease.
Where there is known and/or suspected material, take care not to disturb or damage it. Do not drill holes, saw, sand or scrape the material.
If you are not sure, it is always safest to presume a material does contain asbestos and contact us to get it checked.