How should I dispose of asbestos found in my property during renovation work?

The use of asbestos in construction work was outlawed in the UK years ago. Yet before it was banned it was used extensively. Asbestos can be present in any residential or commercial building built before year 2000. If, during the course of renovation work, you think you may have encountered asbestos in your property, you'll need to know how to deal with it – and how to dispose of it, if necessary.  

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a fibrous material which was used regularly in building materials as recently as the late 1990s. It was used as a means of insulation, and for its fire protection properties. There are three main types of asbestos: amosite, crocidolite, and chrysotile. Asbestos is safe so long as the fibres are not disturbed. If the fibres are disturbed, such as through attempted removal, drilling or cutting (during renovation work, for example), then the fibres can become damaged, and this can present a health hazard. 

Where can asbestos be found? 

Asbestos can be found in many building materials. In an industrial building, asbestos can typically be found in asbestos insulating board (AIB) ceiling tiles, floor tiles,  wall and ceiling cavities, lagging on boilers or pipes, partition walls, or around soffits. In domestic buildings, it can be found in lagging, textiles, roofing felt, in AIB behind the fuse box, around the boiler, and bath panel. 

What should I do if I think I've found asbestos? 

Don't touch it. If you touch it, it may become damaged, disturbing the fibres. If it doesn't show any signs of wear and tear or of being disturbed, then it is best to leave it where it is. However, if you're worried about it, you can seek advice from an environmental health officer at your local council. If the asbestos is slightly damaged, it can be sealed to contain it, making removal unnecessary. 

What if I'm about to start renovation work?

Unless you live in a new-build property or work in a new-build, an inspection should be carried out by an approved contractor before renovation work commences. This will protect maintenance workers or tradesmen from potential harm. You don't want to be in the middle of renovation work only to discover asbestos on the premises. Inspections are not expensive, and you'll have peace of mind, whatever the results of the inspection. 

What is the safest way to dispose of it? 

Asbestos can be legally removed from a building. If the asbestos is damaged and needs to be removed, only an asbestos removals specialist should do it. However, asbestos must be disposed of as hazardous waste, and should not be mixed with other household waste materials. You can either have it collected, or there may be somewhere nearby where you can legally and safely dispose of it. 

So asbestos cannot be placed in a skip?

No. Government regulations for disposing of asbestos are very strict. Any items that are harmful or hazardous in some way, and this includes asbestos, must be disposed of properly and legally. It is also illegal to reuse materials which contain asbestos. 

If you are based in north London and are planning a construction project, you will be pleased to know that we offer local skip hire in Wembley, Barnet, Stratford, Harrow, Enfield and beyond.