Evy Coe
Asbestos is a natural material that was used a lot in building construction between the 1930s and 1990s. So if you have a property that is between 20 and 80 years old, it’s possible that there’s asbestos in it.
If you think you have asbestos in your home, the first thing you need to do is get confirmation that it’s actually there. You can do this with asbestos sampling.
Why do I need to know if I have asbestos in my property?
You need to know if you have asbestos in your property because it can be dangerous. Asbestos that is enclosed and in good condition doesn’t usually pose a health risk and need removing. But damaged or deteriorating asbestos is another matter.
Asbestos has tiny fibres that can escape into the air if it breaks or deteriorates. If these get into your lungs you’re at risk of developing a fatal lung disease or respiratory problem. So it’s important to know if you have asbestos in your home so you can check what condition it’s in.
How does asbestos sampling work?
Asbestos sampling involves taking multiple samples from materials and testing them in a laboratory for asbestos. Any laboratory that does asbestos testing should be UKAS accredited (United Kingdom Accreditation Service).
Most asbestos sampling companies will send professional testers out to your home. They will take multiple samples to make sure that their results are accurate and transport them back to a laboratory for testing. Most laboratories will then email you the results the same or next day.
You can do asbestos sampling yourself if you prefer. You’ll need to follow a number of safety precautions, including wearing:
- A dust mask (or other respiratory protection)
- Protective gloves
- Overalls
The company that you engage to do your testing will usually send you containers to put your sample in. You’ll then either have to send the sample to them or they’ll pick it up.
However, collecting asbestos samples yourself can be a risky business. Asbestos fibres are so small that you can’t see whether you’ve released any in the air and are at risk of breathing them in. The safest option is to let professionals do your asbestos sampling for you.
Price
Around £25 per sample
Self-sampling
Price
Around £100 per sample
Professional sampling
Sampling time
Usually less than 1 day
Testing time
Usually less than 24 hours
Advantages and disadvantages
- Gives peace of mind
- Tells you if your health is at risk
