Where do you find asbestos in the home?

Materials containing asbestos were used in buildings from the 1930's to the 1980's, particularly from the 1960's onwards, meaning its fibres can be found in many houses and flats that were built or refurbished at this time. Although asbestos has been banned in UK construction since the mid 1980's, certain materials were still manufactured and used until 1999.

It is not always easy to tell if a product contains asbestos as modern asbestos-free materials often look similar - remember it is usually older products that contain asbestos.

Asbestos can be found in many forms and in many places. Below are some common examples:

• Roof and wall claddings
• Roof slates, linings, tiles and felts
• Flue-pipes, gutters, rainwater, downpipes, airbricks
• Pipe lagging
• Thermoplastics and vinyl floor tiles
• Textured paints and spray coatings
• Storage and catalytic heaters
• Insulation of heating systems
• Internal partitions, wall boards, airing-cupboard linings and shelving, and ducts

Asbestos is only identifiable by those who know what they are looking for, as it looks like any other building material or substance.

What if I find asbestos in the home?

If you feel asbestos may be an issue in your home, perhaps you are replacing a bath, fire surround or boiler from the 1980's or earlier or are refurbishing an old property, then please seek advice professional advice from Reddish Vale on 0800 046 1286 before carrying out any work.

If asbestos is intact, in good condition, and not damaged or likely to be disturbed, then it is best left alone. Do not drill, saw, scrub it or disturb it in any way. Check it on a regular basis for signs of damage.

If it is damaged and to be disturbed then it is best to get rid of it of it.

Remember that there is only a risk if asbestos fibres are made airborne.