Asbestos In your home?

Would you know what to do if you came across asbestos in your home?

How do you know if you have asbestos in your home?

I’ve written a guide for you all to read to help with a few simple steps of how to recognise and action asbestos in you home.

Asbestos is a natural material made up of tiny fibres. These fibres are usually fixed in another material like cement or insulation board, but they can be released into the air by cutting, breaking, drilling or sanding.

Asbestos can be found in many places – workplaces, public buildings, schools and also in the home.

Why asbestos may be a problem

Building materials containing asbestos were widely used from the 1930s and in particular from the 1960s onwards. Asbestos has also been used in heat resistant household products, such as oven gloves and ironing boards.

Here are some examples that may contain asbestos:

• airing cupboard walls
• pipe lagging
• cement fireplace surrounds
• ceiling and wall panels
• roof tiles
• cement pipes
• garage roofs and walls
• fuse boxes
• floor tiles
• rubbish chutes
• paints

How to identify materials containing asbestos

You will need to have the material tested by an asbestos analytical company who can advise exactly what the material is and if it contains asbestos.

You can seek advice from your local council or speak with and asbestos company who will be able to advise you of what to do.

What to do if you suspect asbestos in your home

• DO NOT attempt work involving sprayed asbestos, lagging or insulating boards, as this must be undertaken by a licensed asbestos removal contractor. If in doubt seek advice.

Beware when doing DIY

If you have asbestos materials in your home, extra care should be taken when doing DIY.

DO NOT attempt work involving sprayed asbestos, lagging or insulating boards, as this must be undertaken by a licensed asbestos removal contractor.

For more information about asbestos in the home and guidance about how to handle this, please contact the experts on 0113 3856640 and speak to a member of the team who can provide you with support and information.