Key facts
- Buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos.
- Only a laboratory test can confirm it.
- Asbestos in good condition is safest left undisturbed.
Why age matters
Asbestos was widely used in UK buildings until it was fully banned in 1999. If your home, garage, shed, farm building or workplace dates from before 2000, some materials may contain it.
Where asbestos is commonly found
- Corrugated cement roofs on garages, sheds, farm buildings and industrial units
- Textured coatings such as Artex on ceilings and walls
- Old vinyl floor tiles and the adhesive under them
- Pipe lagging and insulation around boilers
- Soffits, fascias, cladding and cement water tanks
- Insulation board in ceilings, partitions and fire doors
How to find out safely
- Do not take a sample yourself. Scraping or cutting can release fibres.
- Have it sampled by a professional. A small sample is taken with care and sent to an accredited laboratory.
- Get the result in writing. It tells you what the material is and what your options are.
We arrange sampling and testing through an independent surveyor. Just ask when you request your quote.
What to do if you think it has been disturbed
- Stop work and keep people and pets away from the area.
- Do not sweep or vacuum. Dry cleaning spreads fibres.
- Close doors and windows to the room if you can do so safely.
- Contact a professional for advice.