How can you tell if it's lurking within your own walls? This guide will help you identify the most common materials likely to contain asbestos and what to do if you find them.
Where Asbestos Might Be Hiding
- Insulation: Older homes often have asbestos insulation around boilers, pipes, and attic spaces. Look for loose, crumbly insulation or fabric-like wraps on pipes.
- Flooring: Vinyl floor tiles and the adhesive beneath them manufactured before the 1980s might contain asbestos.
- Roofing: Roof shingles and felts can contain asbestos, particularly in older properties.
- Textured Coatings: The decorative "popcorn" ceilings popular in the past frequently contained asbestos.
- Cement: Asbestos cement was used commonly in walls, roofing materials and even garden sheds.
- Appliance and Automotive Parts: Asbestos was sometimes used in old gaskets, brake linings, and heat-resistant materials in machinery.
Important Note: Even if a material looks like it might contain asbestos, you can't be sure without professional testing.
What To Do If You Suspect Asbestos
- Don't Disturb It: Avoid touching, sanding, or drilling into the material. Disturbing it releases harmful fibers.
- Contact a Professional: Engage a licensed asbestos surveyor to test the suspected materials. Innoxs offers this service throughout the UK.
- Plan Your Course of Action: If asbestos is confirmed, professionals like Innoxs can advise on the safest way to handle it – whether that's removal, encapsulation, or safe management in place.
Don't Take Risks – Get it Checked
Being proactive is your best protection against asbestos exposure. Don't assume that your home or business is asbestos-free, particularly if the building is older. Remember, if it looks suspicious, don't touch it – contact a professional.
