Asbestos has been around since the end of the nineteenth century, and it has qualities that make it great for use in construction. The problem is, asbestos is now known to be harmful. There are lots of places where you might find asbestos in your home.
Asbestos is resistant to heat, fire, chemical and electrical damage, so it was a perfect material for lots of different uses. But when scientists discovered that it causes cancer, asbestos stopped being used.
Asbestos is only harmful when disturbed, so it’s important to check for asbestos before you start any building work. Here are the top 5 places where you’re likely to find asbestos.
1. Spray coatings
Construction companies may use spray coatings for insulation on the underside of roofs and sides of buildings. It’s also used for fire protection on steel and reinforced concrete, so you can find asbestos spray coatings in many different buildings and places.
Spray coatings containing asbestos are seen as one of the most dangerous materials as you can get a ‘splash back’ when it is applied.
2. Insulating board and pipe insulation
You’re likely to find asbestos in insulation materials as people discovered that it has great insulating properties.
That means that if you’re having any work done to your plumbing or insulation it’s always good to get an asbestos removal company to check for asbestos first.
3. Old bath panels
Yes, believe it or not! Old bath panels commonly contained asbestos, so check it out before you remove yours.
4. Concrete water tanks
You’ll often find asbestos in concrete as builders commonly added it to increase its resistance to heat and electrical damage. So if you’re getting a tank removed, make sure an expert does an asbestos survey first.
5. Artex ceilings
It’s not uncommon to find asbestos in your artex ceiling. If you’re like most people these days and want rid of it, you’ll have to get a professional to look at it first. If it does contain asbestos, it might be easier to board over it or even paint it and make it your own.
Asbestos is only harmful when it is disturbed. The spores will release into the atmosphere and people can breathe them in, which causes lots of different lung problems. Because of these reasons, you should always get an expert to check for asbestos before you do any DIY.
If you need help with identifying and removing asbestos, simply fill in the form below and we’ll find up to 4 local asbestos removal companies who will be able to assist you.