Asbestos is a material that was commonly used in various aspects in the construction of a building. Despite links between asbestos and lung cancer being found in the 1950s, it wasn’t until 1999 that this material was banned from being used entirely.
However, since a lot of the homes in the UK were built before 1999, asbestos may be present in them. If disturbed, this material can be deadly so it is important to get it removed as soon as possible. Not every home has asbestos in it, so here are a few things you can look out for to help you determine whether it is present or not.
Signs Your Home May Have Asbestos Present
These signs don’t mean that your property will definitely have asbestos present, the only way to be sure is through actual testing. However, they are able to give you a rough idea that can help you determine whether you want a professional to come and take a look.
Old Homes
Like I said before, asbestos was banned from use after 1999. However, you need to keep in mind that if your house was built before around the 1980s when it was very popular to use, then there is a high chance it may be present.
Vinyl Flooring or Sheeting
If you have vinyl tiles on your floor made with millboard or paper that was installed between 1952 and 1986 then they could contain asbestos, it is best to get it looked at by a professional.
Cement Water Tanks & Cement Sheets
Both of these when installed in older homes often used asbestos. So, if you still have one of them in your home it is a good idea to get it tested to be sure if it does or doesn’t contain asbestos.
Corrugated Roofing
Between the 1920s and 1970s, corrugated roofing tiles often contained asbestos, they even contained something called Chrysotile, which can also be known as white asbestos which is extremely dangerous too.
Where in the Building Would Asbestos be Located?
Unfortunately, asbestos wasn’t just limited to the walls in the house, this stuff was used everywhere. You can find asbestos in:
- Insulation
- Interior wall paint
- Ceilings
- Wood stoves
- Fireplaces
- Window putty
- Cars
- Garden sheds
- Garages
- Floor tiles
- Carpet underlay
- Water heaters
- Boiler and pipe insulation
And the list goes on! This stuff is so dangerous and could really be anywhere, as much as it is useful to give tips on where asbestos is, it won’t confirm anything. To be on the safe side, it is a great idea to get a survey done just to be sure.
Contact Us Today
If you are concerned that your property might contain asbestos, it is best to get it looked at and tested in a lab. At Clearview Environmental, we can help, give us a call today on 0116 288 8256 and we can discuss our process with you further and answer any questions you may have.
Posted in Latest News, Asbestos
