By D&M Asbestos Removal · Reviewed
Older materials can remain in place
The ban on new asbestos use did not remove existing materials from buildings. Older homes can still contain it in roofing, flooring, coatings and other products. A well-maintained property can contain asbestos, and a material does not have to look unusual to need consideration.
Before you start a renovation
Tell your tradespeople about known or suspected asbestos before work begins. Think beyond the visible finish: an adhesive beneath tiles, a board behind a fitting or material above a ceiling may be affected. An asbestos assessment needs to match the proposed work, including areas that will be opened up.
Use existing information carefully
Read the scope and limitations of any report supplied when you bought the property. Check the rooms, materials and inaccessible areas it describes. A negative result for one sample cannot be applied to other surfaces throughout the house. Targeted sampling answers a specific material question; wider work can require a suitable survey.
Does finding asbestos mean removal?
Not always. Condition, location and the likelihood of disturbance matter. Managing an intact material in place may be appropriate if future work will not disturb it. Where damage or planned alterations make work necessary, agree the assessment and scope before booking follow-on trades.
If you find suspect material during work
Stop the activity that could disturb it and keep people away from the affected area while you seek appropriate advice. Do not sweep up debris or use an ordinary household vacuum. Describe what happened and where the material is located so the response can be assessed.
How D&M can help
We take enquiries for targeted sampling, floor tiles and bitumen, textured coatings, suitable cement products, garage removal and waste collection. Send your postcode, the planned work and any reports. We assess the individual job and discuss specialist referral if the work falls outside our scope.
Further guidance
HSE asbestos guidance provides further information. This article is a starting point for planning; your property and proposed work need their own assessment.