Find an Asbestos Removal Specialist near you
The average rating for Bark Asbestos Removal Specialists is 4.75, based on 23,941 reviews
5/5
based on 23,941 reviews
Asbestos is a natural material that’s made up of tiny fibres. For many years it was used for a variety of building projects since it’s a great insulator.
However, it was then discovered that asbestos can be extremely harmful to our health. Namely, it can cause mesothelioma which is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that has been traced exclusively to asbestos exposure.
If you’re worried about asbestos here is an overview of what to look out for, along with what you should do if you think it may be present in your property.
Artex decorative coatings
Cement flooring
Dog kennels
Fascias
Fencing
Garages
Gutters
Pipe lagging
Roofing
The above list is not exhaustive since asbestos was once an extremely popular building material. If your property was built after 2000, it’s highly unlikely it contains any asbestos since it’s now illegal to use it.
Asbestos was in use up until the late 1990s, so if any of the above (or anything else you’re concerned about) was installed before then it’s worth getting it checked out. This includes internal and external structures since asbestos was used for both.
Understandably it can be quite unsettling to suspect your property has asbestos even before it’s been confirmed. It’s not possible to tell if a material contains asbestos or not just by looking at it. Instead, you need to call an asbestos specialist to come out and evaluate it, which they do by sending a test piece off to a lab.
In the majority of cases, it’s actually advised to leave asbestos alone since disturbing it will release the fibres into the air. This means you should not sand, drill, powerwash, scrub or dismantle anything you suspect contains asbestos.
If your contractor advises the asbestos needs to be removed, then it will need to be done so in a controlled manner. You will likely need to vacate the premises while this takes place since the area will need to be sealed off, and protective clothing and breathing equipment will be mandatory.
Surprisingly a lot of homeowners ask this question, especially those who have purchased an investment property and want to keep costs down.
The simple answer is no, as you could create an environmental health hazard that puts you and anyone who enters the building in the future in danger. There could also be legal consequences if it’s found the asbestos wasn’t dealt with correctly causing harm to others, since it’s extremely toxic for our lungs. It’s safe to say asbestos is only something that should be handled by a trained professional.
Asbestos is somewhat of an inherited problem since it was used for decades before anybody realised just how dangerous it can be. Sadly, many people have lost their lives due to asbestos exposure and the awareness still isn’t that widespread. While you may be anxious to find out if your property does contain asbestos, leaving everything in the hands of a qualified expert is the best thing you can do.
The average rating for Bark Asbestos Removal Specialists is 4.75, based on 23,941 reviews
5/5
based on 23,941 reviews
Do you have asbestos that needs to be removed? Read our handy guide to find out how much you can expect to pay for asbestos removal in the UK.
