If you are living in or have purchased a house that is over 30 years old, a common concern is the presence of asbestos, which could often be found in roof and cavity wall insulation.
Because of its danger to health, asbestos can only be removed by experts and should at least be examined as a matter of urgency. Whilst asbestos causes no harm if left alone, when disturbed it can lead to progressively damaging health conditions.
Asbestos was banned in 1999, and modern buildings do not use it, but people living in older homes may still be exposed to its fibres.
What are the common signs of asbestos? What should you do if you discover it? And why can it only be removed by experts?
What Are The Most Common Warning Signs For Asbestos?
Asbestos is notoriously difficult to detect; its fibres are microscopic and evidence of exposure can take decades to develop, which was part of the reason why it was used for decades after a link was established between asbestos and conditions such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
The only certain way to confirm asbestos is through professional surveying, but there are some signs that increase the likelihood of it being in your home.
Age
Whilst asbestos has been used since classical antiquity and has been produced in industrial quantities since the 19th century, the peak of asbestos being used for a huge number of building materials was from the 1950s until the 1980s.
If your home was constructed in that 30-year span, there is a much greater chance that it contains asbestos, although it was still being used as late as the 1990s.
Insulation Type
Because asbestos was both heavily fire-resistant and had strong insulating properties, it was commonly used in old insulation products.
If your home has older insulation that is over 30 years old, it could be a sign of asbestos. Whilst asbestos insulation products vary, they often had a fibrous texture.
Vinyl Flooring
Older types of tile flooring may contain asbestos. Early vinyl floors used asbestos a lot due to its fire-resisting qualities, durability and stone-chip texture.
In particular, if your floor tiles are old and are starting to wear out, it may be worth getting them checked to ensure that they are not full of asbestos.
Corrugated Roofing
Older roof tiles from as late as the 1980s often contained asbestos, and whilst any type of ceiling tile could potentially have asbestos mixed in, the most common types were corrugated roofing tiles and sheets.
Damaged Materials
The most critical warning sign is when old materials are damaged, because disturbed asbestos is far more dangerous than asbestos products that are currently intact.
What Should You Do If You Discover Asbestos?
If you discover or suspect you have discovered asbestos, remove any visible dust and fibres from your body by patting it with a damp cloth, and place it and any contaminated clothing in a bag for safe removal.
Get in touch with your local authority and asbestos experts, as they will be able to provide advice about how they will remove asbestos from your home and keep any inhabitants safe.
