Asbestos in buildings

Asbestos can be almost anywhere in a building. Most buildings older than twenty years contain asbestos.

Asbestos roofing

Corrugated asbestos roofing, Nuralite, is perhaps the most recognisable asbestos product. Also quite common in former council houses is Finlock concrete guttering.

Asbestos floor tiles

Asbestos floor tiles surprise many. We spend a lot of time removing asbestos in flooring, floor tiles and asbestos can even be present in lino.

Artex ceilings

Until the mid 1980s, Artex used white asbestos as a strengthener. Don’t worry too much about it while it’s undisturbed or in good condition, however drilling into it is an issue, and removing it requires professional equipment and knowledge. Whatever you do, don’t just pull down an asbestos ceiling!

Asbestos sheeting

Flat asbestos sheeting was often used under ceiling rafters to make a flat ceiling, not just in attics but also in garages. Fibrolite sheeting is asbestos cement. When the industry was defending itself the claim was sometimes made that encapsulating asbestos in cement makes it safe. It doesn’t.

Asbestos was commonly used to line the walls of under-stairs cupboards where the electricity meter often is. It’s an old-fashioned way of improving fire safety. Check the cupboard door, it may be backed with an asbestos panel. Check its condition.

Asbestos pipes and lagging

Asbestos can also be present in guttering, downpipes or soffits.

Be particularly careful with asbestos pipe insulation and lagging as the loose fibres can be particularly dangerous.

Asbestos in farm outbuildings and garages

We are regularly called to remove asbestos in farms, barns and factories. Domestic garages were commonly built partly with asbestos.

We frequently see garages built from timber frames with flat asbestos sheets nailed to them. The kids have been kicking balls against the side for years and it’s always damaged, leaving asbestos fibres just laying on the floor.