where else is asbestos hiding in your old home

The Hidden Threat: Where Else Is Asbestos Hiding in Your Old Home?

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Did you know that the killer of over 200,000 people annually might be lurking in your home?

While you may not have an idea, a silent danger called Asbestos could be present in the decorative plaster, tiles, and roofing within your property. The alarming fact is that despite its ban in the UK since 1999, this toxin remains present in millions of properties which were built earlier.

You might wonder what makes Asbestos so terrifying. There is more than a single reason for that. Whether you are a homeowner or a landlord, it is essential to understand where Asbestos might be hiding. It will not only make sure you comply with the property laws, but also ensure you and your dear ones are protected from this deadly enemy.

Table of Contents

Asbestos: The Good Guy Turned Bad

There was a time when Asbestos was widely appreciated and used across buildings in the UK. Its unique properties made it the first choice of homeowners, builders and constructors. Until its ban in the UK in 1999, it was widely in thousands of building materials.

Some properties that made Asbestos highly popular were:

  • Fire resistance
  • Durability
  • Insulation
  • Affordability

However, its alarming health risks were recognised decades later. Since it was found that Asbestos could lead to life-threatening diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis it was banned.

Today, Asbestos is known for killing thousands of people annually. For homeowners, in particular, it is considered too big a risk to ignore. As soon as this mineral is disturbed during DIY or renovations, it becomes a threat to you and your family.

5 Reasons to Fear Asbestos

Before we explore where Asbestos might be hiding, let us first have a look at its harmful effects.  

Here are five reasons why you must be on guard against Asbestos:

  1. The Invisible Enemy. One of the main reasons why you need to be extra careful when it comes to  Asbestos is that it is hidden. Asbestos fibres are microscopic, which means they are only visible under a microscope. So if they are residing in your home or workplace, you will never get to know. As a result, it is almost impossible to escape from your enemy. That is another reason why it is hard to escape from it. When Asbestos is mixed with other materials such as plaster, the appearance of the plaster does not really change. That’s how this enemy remains untraceable.
  2. Asbestos causes deadly diseases. Asbestos, the toxic mineral, can lead to serious illnesses. You would not even know, and the Asbestos fibres would have entered your lungs, making a basis for incurable diseases. Some common Asbestos-related diseases include:
  • Lung cancer
  • Pleural thickening
  • Asbestosis
  • Mesothelioma
  1. The exposure is undetectable until it’s too late. Another reason why Asbestos is severely hazardous is that the diseases it may lead to do not even show for decades after exposure. As soon as you inhale Asbestos fibres, they make their way into your lungs and stay there. They affect the health of your lungs and may even cause lung cancer or other deadly lung diseases. As Asbestos-related diseases develop slowly, you will not be able to treat them effectively since it would already be too late.
  1. Asbestos becomes deadly once disturbed. While this mineral may not pose any harm to your health, it becomes dangerous as soon as it is disturbed.  When you take the DIY course and start renovations which involve drilling or removing any material, Asbestos is released in the air. Asbestos fibres become airborne and enter your lungs. On the other hand, if it remains intact, you don’t have to fear.
  1. Asbestos is hiding in your home. Since Asbestos was once widely used in Britain in various building materials, there is a great possibility that this toxin is present in your walls, pipes and other areas, though you may not realise it. Older properties, in particular, must have Asbestos in some form.

So you can have a clear idea of why you cannot ignore Asbestos. Particularly if you are planning to renovate or repair your home, you have to be very careful. Minor negligence on your part can lead you to irreversible trouble.

Common Places Where Asbestos Hides in Old Properties

To be able to fight and remain safe from Asbestos, the first thing to do is to find out where it is hiding. Once you have an idea about its hideouts, you will be able to deal with it safely.

Here are the main areas where this clever enemy could be waiting for you:

Plaster Walls

Properties in the UK extensively used Asbestos, so it could be present in partition walls, ceilings, fireplace areas and soffits. Even plaster walls could have Asbestos. 

Loft and Wall Insulation

Asbestos could be present in Vermiculite insulation, which was mostly poured into lofts or cavity walls. It could also be lying in pipes and boiler lagging.

Finishings

From 1960 to 1980, most decorative ceilings and wall finishes used Asbestos to add strength. Once you scrape or try to remove these coatings, Asbestos fibres will be released in the air.

Flooring

Since Asbestos has so many good properties, it was used in flooring as well. Vinyl floor tilesoften had this mineral. The adhesive used to place them may have it as well.

Window Putty

Due to the durability and strength of Asbestos, it was also used in double-glazing seals, window putty and caulks.

Roofing and Guttering

Before 2000, British homes made use of Asbestos cement in roof sheets and gutters. That means this material could be present in sheds and outbuildings.

Cement Sheets

British homes also used Asbestos in cement sheets and panels. They were present in sheds, garages, and water tanks.

Once you know the areas where this toxin might be hiding, you will be in a better position to deal with it safely.

5 Steps To Handle Asbestos

If you suspect Asbestos in your home, do not panic. Stay calm and follow these steps:

1. Don’t Disturb Asbestos

Remember that you must never sand, drill, or remove suspected Asbestos on your own. As it becomes hazardous as soon as it is moved, do not try to take the DIY approach and stay away from it.

2. Hire a Professional for Survey

One of the most important things to do is to hire a professional waste management company for a survey. An expert can identify if this toxin is present in different areas in your home. Particularly, if you are planning to demolish or renovate your home, you must get a survey done.  

3. Let It Be

As mentioned earlier, Asbestos is only harmful if removed or disturbed. So if you find it in good condition, do not disturb it. In such a case, sealing or encapsulating the material can be a safe approach.

4. Contact a Licensed Waste Removal Company

A professional firm must handle Asbestos. All removal tasks, such as pipe lagging, insulating boards, and sprayed coatings, are licensed work under UK law. It means you must hire a professional firm and never try to handle it yourself.

5. Dispose of Asbestos Waste

When you have to dispose Asbestos waste, as per law, you need to double-bag and label it. It must be disposed of at a licensed facility. A professional waste management firm can help you with disposal and help you avoid the hassle. They can handle your Asbestos removal and disposal without exposing you to any health threats and potential hefty fines and prosecution in case of mishandling.

Management of Asbestos is governed by UK law that you must comply with. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 have specific rules that homeowners cannot ignore:

  • You must not disturb Asbestos during building work.
  • You must manage asbestos risks in rental properties if you are a landowner.
  • If you do not comply, you may have to face serious consequences in the form of penalties.

Why You Must Hire a Professional Waste Management Company?

Considering that dealing with Asbestos is regulated in the UK, you need to make sure you comply with the law. A professional waste management company can help. They have the expertise to handle this toxin safely.

From inspecting and testing to removal and disposal, they can help you at every step. In addition to managing the Asbestos, they will also take care of all the legal formalities.

However, it does not mean you must ALWAYS hire a professional. Sometimes you may notneed their service. To cut a long story short, you should look for professional help if your home was built before the year 2000 or was renovated before this time. If you are planning to remodel your place, you should get assistance from an expert.  

Types of Asbestos Handling Services offered by a Waste Management Company

You can benefit from a variety of services offered by a professional waste management firm in the UK. Here are some of the general services you can avail:

  • Survey and Identification of Asbestos
  • Sample collection according to the UK standards
  • Removal of Asbestos from your home or other buildings
  • Asbestos encapsulation
  • Transportation of Asbestos
  • Disposal at licensed facilities
  • Management of documentation and other legal formalities

Advantages of a Professional Waste Management Company

Since Asbestos can have life-long dangers for you, your family or workers, it is a must to manage it as effectively as possible. Having all the expertise, experience and required licenses, a professional waste management company can manage the entire process, from inspection to removal and disposal.

Here are some reasons why you must contact a professional waste management company:

  • Precise identification. As Asbestos fibres are not visible to the naked eye, you cannot find out where they might be hiding in your home. A professional waste removal company has the expertise to identify areas where the toxin is hiding.
  • Safe removal of Asbestos. A professional waste management firm has all the necessary equipment and experience that enables them to remove Asbestos from various areas in your home without any potential threats. You and your family will not be exposed to this toxic material and thus remain safe from its deadly downsides.
  • Right Transportation and Disposal. You cannot throw the debris anywhere or as you like, as it is all a matter of legal compliance under UK law.  An expert firm holds licenses and has the expertise to handle Asbestos. They can transport and dispose Asbestos at the licensed areas, saving you from all the hassle of legal formalities.  
  • Time Saving. Hiring a professional waste management company will also save you time. As the entire complex project will be taken care of by an expert, you can get your renovation and clearance work done faster.  

Asbestos-Free Home is a Safe Home

Your ‘home sweet home’ is only safe if there is no Asbestos behind the walls, finishings and other areas. A threat that deserves utmost attention, this toxin can be best managed by a professional waste management company.

When it is taken care of properly, your home can truly be charming and safe. However, an attempt to take care of it on your own can put your life and the lives of those around you at risk.

If you are planning to renovate your home or do any maintenance work, the safest approach is first to contact an expert. A waste management company will provide you with expert advice, conduct a survey, remove Asbestos that might be anywhere in your home, and ensure your home is entirely free from this toxin.

So contact a waste management company to protect your family and restore the peace of your mind now!

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