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Where to Find Asbestos in Your Home: A Guide for Homeowners

11 March 2025

If you’re planning home renovations or DIY work, it’s important to be aware of asbestos

a once-popular building material that can pose serious health risks if disturbed. Asbestos was widely used in UK homes before 2000, so if your property was built before then, there’s a chance it contains asbestos in certain areas. This guide will help you identify where asbestos might be found and how to handle it safely.

Why Is Asbestos a Concern?
Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are not usually dangerous unless they are damaged or disturbed. When asbestos fibers become airborne and are inhaled, they can cause serious diseases like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer—which is why knowing where to find asbestos in your home is so important before starting any renovation work.

Where Can You Find Asbestos in Your Home?

Asbestos was used in various building materials due to its durability and fire-resistant properties. Here are some of the most common places you might find it:

1. Roofing & Gutters

  • Corrugated asbestos cement roofing (commonly found in garages, sheds, and outbuildings)
  • Asbestos soffits (the underside of eaves)
  • Asbestos cement gutters and downpipes

2. Walls & Ceilings

  • Textured coatings (e.g., Artex ceilings and walls)
  • Asbestos insulating board (AIB) used for fireproofing or partition walls
  • Ceiling tiles (commonly found in older homes and commercial properties)

3. Flooring

  • Vinyl floor tiles and the adhesive used to fix them
  • Bitumen-based flooring underlays

4. Insulation

  • Loft insulation (not usually asbestos, but always check!)
  • Pipe lagging (asbestos insulation around heating pipes and boilers)
  • Boiler flue pipes (asbestos cement was commonly used)

5. Around Windows & Doors

  • Window sills and panels (asbestos insulating board)
  • Asbestos cement window putty

6. Garage & Outbuildings

  • Garage walls, roofs, and side panels (asbestos cement sheets)
  • Asbestos cement in farm buildings and older garden sheds


Planning DIY? What to Do If You Suspect Asbestos

If you’re about to renovate, drill, sand, or remove any materials that could contain asbestos, STOP and check first! Here’s what you should do:

Get an Asbestos Survey – A professional survey can identify asbestos in your home before you start work.
Do Not Disturb – If asbestos materials are in good condition, they may not pose an immediate risk.
Use Licensed Professionals – If asbestos needs to be removed, hire a professional asbestos removal company to handle it safely and legally.

Stay Safe – Know Before You DIY!

Understanding where asbestos might be in your home is essential before starting any renovation or DIY project. If you suspect asbestos, always seek professional advice. Our team can help with asbestos surveys, testing, and safe removal, so you can renovate your home with peace of mind.

Need asbestos advice? Contact us today for expert help!

26 March 2025
Where Can Asbestos Be Found in Non-Domestic Buildings? If your building was constructed before 2000, asbestos may be present in areas such as: • Ceiling tiles and textured coatings (e.g., Artex) • Wall panels and insulation board • Pipe lagging and boiler insulation • Vinyl floor tiles and adhesives • Roofing sheets, gutters, and downpipes • Fire doors and protective panels What to Do If You Find Asbestos at Work If you come across damaged or suspect asbestos while at work, follow these steps immediately: ❌ Do Not Touch It – Disturbing asbestos can release hazardous fibers into the air. 📢 Report It – Notify your manager, health & safety officer, or building owner immediately. 🛑 Stop Work in the Area – If asbestos is suspected, work must stop until a professional assessment is carried out. 🔬 Arrange for Testing & Risk Assessment – A licensed asbestos surveyor can determine if the material is asbestos and whether it needs to be removed. 👷 Only Use Licensed Professionals for Removal – If asbestos must be removed, it must be done by a licensed asbestos removal contractor following strict safety protocols. Why Safe Asbestos Management Matters Properly managing asbestos protects workers, customers, and visitors from serious health risks, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. It also ensures compliance with UK law, reducing the risk of legal penalties and financial liability. If you need asbestos surveys, testing, or removal in a non-domestic property, our team can help. Contact us today for professional asbestos management services!
18 March 2025
If you own a property in Matlock, Derbyshire, or are planning to buy or renovate one, asbestos testing and surveys are essential to ensure safety and compliance. Asbestos was commonly used in buildings before 2000, and disturbing it can pose serious health risks. At Matlock Asbestos Surveys, we offer professional asbestos surveys and testing to homeowners, landlords, businesses, and property managers in Matlock and the surrounding areas of Derbyshire. With over 20 years of experience, we provide reliable, HSE-compliant services to help you identify and manage asbestos safely. What Asbestos Services Do We Offer in Matlock, Derbyshire? We provide a full range of asbestos survey and testing services, including: Asbestos Management Surveys – Ideal for landlords and property owners to maintain compliance. Asbestos Homebuyer Surveys – Ensure your new home is safe before purchasing. Asbestos Refurbishment & Demolition Surveys – Required before any construction work begins. Asbestos Re-Inspection Surveys – Monitor the condition of previously identified asbestos. Asbestos Testing – Sample analysis to confirm the presence of asbestos in your property. Why Choose Us for Asbestos Surveys & Testing in Matlock? ✅ 20+ Years of Industry Experience – Trusted asbestos specialists. ✅ Fully HSE-Compliant Reports – Detailed reports for safety and compliance. ✅ Fast & Reliable Service – Quick turnaround times and expert advice. ✅ Competitive Pricing – Affordable asbestos surveys with no hidden fees. Do You Need an Asbestos Survey in Matlock? If your property was built before 2000, it may contain asbestos. An asbestos survey is crucial for safety, legal compliance, and protecting property value. Whether you’re buying a home, managing a business property, or planning renovations, we provide trusted asbestos testing and surveys in Matlock and beyond. Get a Free Quote for Asbestos Testing & Surveys in Matlock Protect your property and health with our expert asbestos survey and testing services. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote and ensure your property is asbestos-safe and compliant. 📞 Call us today or 📩 Request a quote online!
12 August 2024
What grade of asbestos has the most risks? Asbestos is a carcinogenic , meaning it can cause cancer. Regardless of the GRADE it is still hazardous and poses a risk. Can I sell a house with an asbestos garage? YES! There is no law against selling a house which contains an asbestos garage. If you know it is asbestos , you must declare this to the property agents/potential buyers. Can I put asbestos in a general waste skip? No , you cannot mix hazardous waste such as asbestos with non-hazardous waste. Therefore you will need to dispose of the asbestos separately and legally! Where do we take asbestos when it is removed from your property in Matlock? All asbestos removed from your property and any associated wastes (eg concrete from a garage) , goes to a fully licensed asbestos waste disposal site. You will get proof of this when you use us , so you’re fully covered! Is asbestos still used in the UK now? No! Asbestos was banned for use an import in the UK in 1999. It is important that if your property was built before the year 1999 , you get it checked for asbestos before any renovations or maintenance works. How long does asbestos take to affect you? Asbestos related illness takes between 20-50 years to develop. This is why it is named by many as the ‘silent killer’. Can asbestos be left where it is? Yes , providing it is in good condition and is unlikely to be disturbed. Asbestos becomes dangerous when the fibres are disturbed via damage or disturbance. Therefore , if you notice any changes to asbestos in your property it is best to get it checked.
14 June 2022
We are all aware that asbestos is a "hidden killer" , therefore should only be removed and handled by fully trained people. Asbestos is at it's most dangerous when broken or damaged , so knowing the correct controls and procedures to limit dust release is imperative. KEY POINTS : A contractor cannot remove asbestos without the correct training and insurance No contractor can take asbestos from your property without a Waste Carriers Licence and they must issue you with a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note (Certificate) Aside from the legalities , no one wants an untrained person taking down asbestos at their property or their neighbours. HOW TO CHECK THE CONTRACTOR Ask for a copy of their training and insurance Check they have a Waste Carriers Licence *Both of these things MUST be in place is removing asbestos from your property EXAMPLES OF ILLEGAL ASBESTOS REMOVAL : Example 1 : Asbestos Garage Roof Removal We had a customer call us to say their roofer had removed their asbestos garage roof sheets before installing the new roof. The roofer smashed off the roof sheets , leaving small pieces of asbestos littered all over the customers garden. The roofer has Asbestos Awareness Training - which does not cover them for the safe removal of asbestos. This showed by the method they used to take the roof off - Asbestos roof sheets should not be broken up unless it is in strictly controlled conditions. Our trained staff arrived on site and performed a clean up of the area as well as ensuring all asbestos was safely disposed of. Example 2 : Asbestos Down Pipe Removal A worried lady called us to tell us their neighbour had workmen in who were using a diesel powered saw to cut off an asbestos downpipe which was fixed between the two properties. The saw had created vast amounts of dust as well as leaving a large "flare" on the ladies soffit board. After asking for the details of the builder and whether he was trained to carry out the work , the lady was ignored and the builder soon left. We were called in to take a sample from the dust on the soffit board as well as the pipe (which was now left discarded , unwrapped on the garden). Both tests confirmed asbestos presence. HOW TO REPORT ILLEGAL ASBESTOS REMOVAL IN DERBYSHIRE If you suspect illegal asbestos removal is being carried out at your property or your neighbours then the follow the below steps: 1) Ask the contractor for their details , training and insurance. Any reputable company will be more than happy to provide these to you. This should clear up the matter , but if you feel that they are not acting responsibly then follow steps 2-3 2) Contact the local Derbyshire Council Environmental Department : https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/environment/environment.aspx 3) Contact the Health and Safety Executive https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/concerns.htm 4) If the query is waste disposal related and you think asbestos waste has been disposed of where is shouldn't have been then contact the Environment Agency 24 hour Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60 For safe , professional asbestos removal - Contact Local Asbestos Matlock 01629 690 115
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