As hazardous waste specialists, we have compiled this helpful guide to address any questions and concerns you may have about asbestos in your home. We explain what asbestos is and what you can do to determine if it is a problem, as well as advising how to manage it.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos can be defined as a fireproof silicate-mineral fibre that becomes brittle with age, and pollutes air and water. Exposure to these extremely fine particles can cause serious illnesses, such as asbestosis and cancer (such as mesothelioma).
Is Asbestos Dangerous?
Generally speaking, if the asbestos is undisturbed it usually poses no problems to you or your family’s health. However, if you are undertaking renovation or construction projects in your home, which could disturb the materials suspected to contain asbestos, you are legally required to have the materials checked by an accredited laboratory prior to beginning work.
What Materials are Made From Asbestos?
Although asbestos is not always easy to identify, it can be found in a number of different building materials and was commonly used during the 1940s and the late 1980s. It’s fire resistant, durable and its insulating properties made it a very attractive material to use. As a result it can be found in the following;
- Vinyl flooring
- Tiles (including floor and ceiling tiles)
- Paper products around duct work and floor registers
- Insulation around piping, furnaces and wood burning stoves
- Soundproofing and decorative materials sprayed onto walls and ceilings
- Patching and joint compounds
- Textured paints
- Roofing materials
What to do if you Find Abestos in Your Home?
To put your mind at ease, and determine if you’re suspicious ceiling tiles or garage roof is asbestos, we advise you to use GD Environmental’s hazardous waste sampling service to determine this. Arranging for a sample to be tested has never been easier by following the instructions below
- Break off a 2 – 3 inch square sized piece of the material you require sampling
- Double bag and seal the sample in a clear polythene bag (i.e plastic pocket)
- Clearly label the sample with your name, address, and where the samples were taken from (i.e kitchen aertex ceiling), this applies to each sample. We also require contact details, so we can contact you for payment and results
- Either deliver the sample to us in person or post it to us at;
GD Environmental Services Ltd
Unit 19 East Bank Road,
Felnex Industrial Estate,
The asbestos sampling process takes around 5 working days to complete and once the results are back from the laboratory we can provide you with a fully comprehensive analysis report. The results can be sent straight to your inbox - the cost of this service is £30 + VAT.
Should the results be not quite what you were hoping for, we have a team of hazardous waste specialists readily available to complete asbestos surveying removal and disposal services. Alternatively, if you’re looking to remove the asbestos yourself, GD Environmental can provide you with an enclosed skip to accommodate the hazardous waste.
For more information on this sampling service or to talk to a member of our team about asbestos removal and disposal please do not hesitate to give us a call on 01633 277755.