Could my home contain asbestos?
Over the last few years, DIY and home renovation projects have increased throughout the pandemic. Many people have had ideas and the motivation to change and renovate their homes themselves. Although, despite this, people are unaware of the asbestos risks, especially in older buildings. Prior to knocking down walls and ripping up floorboards, it is vital to consider the age of your home. Properties built before the year 2000 have a high risk of asbestos in the core building materials used to construct the house. Clearaway Asbestos are here to help with your asbestos removal in Surrey and to help with any queries or questions you may have before you start your home renovation project.
Asbestos awareness needs to get better
The possibility of asbestos presence in the property is still not at the forefront of people’s minds when planning DIY or having contractors carry out work. Even simple things like checking the artex ceiling before having it plastered over, removing kitchen floor tiles, or knocking down walls are all risks of where asbestos could be disrupted. When asbestos is disrupted, the fibres can spread around the home and contaminate other areas causing huge health risks. These risks won’t come to light until many years later, so it is essential to get the property checked before starting the DIY to prevent any future health issues. This year in Britain, official figures estimate that 5,000 people are likely to die prematurely due to asbestos exposure. This number is exceptionally high, considering the use of asbestos was banned a long time ago. It shows the long-lasting effects asbestos can have on the body, and it is usually too late to do something by the time the illness has come to light. Asbestos removal in Surrey is more important now than ever. Ensuring those fibres are safely contained and not disturbed is essential.
Why was asbestos so widely used?
Before the ban in 1999, asbestos was used in a wide range of materials used to construct homes. It was an attractive addition due to its unique properties, including it having extreme durability and good heat resistance.
Asbestos was used in insulation, ceiling and floor tiles, walls, windows and numerous other places. Before people became aware of the risks, asbestos was such a good material to use, and between 1950 and 1985, construction companies used it in everything.
Generally, health risks decrease if asbestos remains fully intact, but if the material seems damaged, broken or worn, fibres can become airborne, putting anyone nearby at risk of exposure to several illnesses. These include chronic lung disease, asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer. You can make the asbestos airborne by disturbing it during your home renovation. Asbestos-containing materials do not always need to be removed, and if they are in good condition and are not likely to be damaged or disturbed are sometimes best left in place and managed.
I think there might be asbestos in my home – what do I do now?
Please get in touch if you think asbestos might be present in your home. Clearaway can carry out a simple sample test if there is an item you are concerned about or carry out an Asbestos Survey to identify if there is any potential risk from asbestos-containing materials in your home. All of our collected samples will be sent off to the lab for testing so we can find out an exact answer. If no asbestos is present, we can give you the all-clear to start your DIY project, but if not, we can work on removing it for you.
Clearaway Asbestos are a trusted and professional company providing asbestos removal in Surrey. Before thinking about starting your DIY project, give us a call, and we can discuss your job and give you a specifically tailored quote.
