Asbestos.
Asbestos
Asbestos is present in many homes without their owners being aware of it.
Over the past 100 years, asbestos was widely used in the construction of many properties, especially in the last 50 years until it was banned in the late 1990s. Asbestos is present in many homes without their owners being aware of it. The presence of asbestos can be found in many elements of a property; asbestos roofs are easily recognizable, and we often see them on outbuildings.
It is relatively uncommon for homeowners to realize asbestos may be present in their property. Asbestos can also be found in a wide variety of relatively common building products and elements, many of which can be found in different components of a property.
It would be wise to be prudent about the potential Asbestos in your home. It is recommended to know where it is located and how to manage it, there is no high cause for concern if the asbestos is not disturbed. When it comes to spotting asbestos, things can be tricky. With six different types out there, it’s important to know what to look out for to not only identify asbestos but also to know which kind of asbestos you’re dealing with.
Asbestos can cause lung cancer if inhaled as a fine dust and as such, it should never be sawed, sanded, drilled, brushed, or disturbed in any way whereby the production of dust might be the result. Provided asbestos is not disturbed, the likelihood of major problems developing is greatly reduced.
According to the HSE (Health & Safety Executive), when it comes to the asbestos regulations for domestic premises, any work to be carried out on these common areas that involve asbestos-containing materials means that the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 will apply.
It should be noted that now in 2022 there is no UK legislation covering requirements for homeowners to manage the asbestos in their homes. It would be prudent for any purchaser to consider the possible presence of asbestos before agreeing to buy a property. Owners or prospective purchasers of a property may desire to have an Asbestos Survey carried out to see if there is asbestos that needs to be removed.
Where asbestos may be present.
The following are some examples but the list is not exhaustive.
How to Deal With Asbestos
It must be noted that the removal of asbestos from a building is a very complex and costly process. It should only be carried out by a licensed contractor who will ensure that it is done safely using protective clothing and that the asbestos, once removed, is taken to a licensed disposal site where it will not be a danger to other people. The licensed asbestos contractor can inspect your home or office for asbestos and pinpoint where it may have been used and where it is located.
In addition, they can test asbestos to assess the risk and provide advice on health and safety. There are times when asbestos removal is recommended, but it is not always the case. When asbestos is not disturbed, there is little risk of contaminating your home, so avoiding these areas during home renovations is advisable versus disturbing and removing it completely.
In order to prevent tiny asbestos fibres from becoming airborne, encapsulation is used to seal the surface of materials that contain asbestos. This is often the most effective way to deal with deteriorating asbestos fibres.
