Asbestos was commonly used in building materials between the 1950s and the 1990s. It is now banned because inhaling asbestos fibres can harm your health.
Many older homes still contain asbestos. It’s important to know that it only becomes dangerous if it’s damaged or disturbed.
If your home was built after the year 2000, it is very unlikely to contain asbestos.
Where asbestos might be found
Asbestos was commonly mixed into other building materials like cement or plaster and used in many parts of the home. It might be present in:
- Insulation boards between walls
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Textured ceiling and wall coatings such as Artex
- Cement-based products such as rainwater pipes, water tanks or gutters
- Roof tiles, panelling, or exterior walls
If you’re unsure about anything in your home, call us on 0161 448 4200. We’ll check our Asbestos Register and let you know what’s in place.
Staying safe around asbestos
Asbestos is only a risk if it’s disturbed. Damaging, drilling, sanding, scrubbing or sawing materials that contain asbestos can release harmful fibres into the air.
To keep yourself and others safe:
- Do not disturb any damaged area or material that may contain asbestos
- Do not dust, sweep or vacuum debris that might contain asbestos
- Do not remove any materials you think might contain asbestos
If we don’t already have a record for your home, we can arrange for trained staff to inspect the material, test it, and carry out a risk assessment if needed.
Thinking of doing DIY?
Before you carry out any DIY, home improvement or maintenance:
- Always get permission from us first
- We’ll check the Asbestos Register for your home
- If needed, we’ll arrange a survey or inspection to keep you safe
This is especially important if your home was built before 2000.
