If your property is more than 20 years old, it is possible that it contains materials made from asbestos. Common locations are listed below but there may be others in your home – so if in doubt leave well alone and seek expert help. Common locations of asbestos cement:
- Garage or shed roofs
- Shed and garage wall panels
- Gutters and drain pipes
- Soffits, infill panels, and partitions
- The side of bath panels
- Cold water cisterns.
- There may also be asbestos insulation on warm-air heating systems.
NOTE: If your home is rented, your landlord may have relevant information on the whereabouts of asbestos.
What to do if you have asbestos in your home?
- The general rule is it is always best to leave asbestos alone if possible. It is usually safe unless it is damaged or disturbed.
- Paint indoor materials with an alkali resistant paint such as PVA emulsion and never sand, drill or saw asbestos materials.
- Always seek advice before thinking of removing asbestos and follow the basic rules below if carrying out asbestos cement removal work.
- Do not attempt to remove asbestos lagging, spray coatings or large areas of insulation board by yourself as these materials can only be safely removed by a licensed contractor.
- Sometimes it will be necessary to take a sample, for example, to identify the type of asbestos. Samples can be analyzed by an accredited testing laboratory.
If your property is commercial, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has produced a number of leaflets which are more appropriate for businesses.
Note: This article is informational only. When making purchasing decisions, conduct your own research.
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