The dangers of asbestos in roofing and how asbestos removal in Epsom can help

asbestos removal in epsom

In the year 2000, the UK banned the use of asbestos in buildings, materials and construction. However, older buildings still contain asbestos-containing materials. This is a huge problem, but that is where Clearaway Asbestos come in to help with your asbestos removal in Epsom. Asbestos is a natural substance that can have serious health consequences over time. In the early 20th century, reports showed that asbestos exposure resulted in many health problems, including lung diseases and cancer. It was found that individuals exposed to asbestos died at an unusually young age. It can take at least ten years for the diseases caused by asbestos to come to light, and it is often too late by then. This is why it is crucial you get your home checked for asbestos. This blog will help to explain how to identify asbestos in your roofing, what steps you can take to protect your household from the asbestos risk and help you learn more about asbestos removal in Epsom.

Always check the age of the building

If a building has been built before 2000, there is a risk that the roofing may contain asbestos. Since asbestos is an excellent and fire-resistant material, it was used a lot as a roofing material in older homes. Apart from the roofs, the walls and areas around fireplaces may also contain asbestos-containing material because of its good heat and fire resistance properties. Clearaway specialises in asbestos removal in Epsom to remove the asbestos from these roofs, making them safe. 

Look at the colour of the asbestos

Another way to identify the asbestos risk is to look at the colour of the damaged roofing. Asbestos is greyish, whitish, or blue in colour. A lot of garage roofs also have a risk of containing asbestos. Those containing asbestos, such as flat or corrugated cement sheets, may feature small dimples or slight craters on their surface. This is due to how asbestos was woven throughout the material. Originally this was a side effect that demonstrated the material’s excellent fire resistance and longevity, but it is now a helpful way to detect asbestos.

If you suspect that your damaged roofing is made of asbestos, you should immediately call us for safe disposal of it.

Send samples to the lab for testing

If asbestos is detected and you call us to come and inspect it, we will take samples and then take them to the lab. Asbestos removal specialists take great care when taking the sample. You should not try to take a sample yourself as it might result in asbestos exposure. Water prevents the fibres from becoming airborne when the roofing material is cut to take the sample, so they will make sure to spray the area with water before taking it. We will analyse the collected sample in the lab using a microscope. If the test comes out positive, we will do further testing to determine the asbestos exposure risk.

Why is it important to remove damaged asbestos roofing?

Damaged asbestos roofing poses a significant threat to whoever lives in the property. If it is not removed immediately, the asbestos fibres can be released from the roofing, exposing them to the air and nearby surroundings. Clearaway are experienced asbestos removal experts, and we will safely remove the threat of asbestos from the house. We will use safety equipment and wear protective clothing to remove and dispose of asbestos-containing material from your home safely.

With asbestos being such a dangerous material, it is essential that we work hard to remove it. We have an expert, specially trained team to help work on removing your asbestos contained roofing. Contact us today for your asbestos removal in Epsom.

I Want to Start a DIY Project. Do I Need Asbestos Removal in Surrey?

do i need asbestos removal in surrey

Could my home contain asbestos?

Over the last few years, DIY and home renovation projects have increased throughout the pandemic. Many people have had ideas and the motivation to change and renovate their homes themselves. Although, despite this, people are unaware of the asbestos risks, especially in older buildings. Prior to knocking down walls and ripping up floorboards, it is vital to consider the age of your home. Properties built before the year 2000 have a high risk of asbestos in the core building materials used to construct the house. Clearaway Asbestos are here to help with your asbestos removal in Surrey and to help with any queries or questions you may have before you start your home renovation project.

Asbestos awareness needs to get better

The possibility of asbestos presence in the property is still not at the forefront of people’s minds when planning DIY or having contractors carry out work. Even simple things like checking the artex ceiling before having it plastered over, removing kitchen floor tiles, or knocking down walls are all risks of where asbestos could be disrupted. When asbestos is disrupted, the fibres can spread around the home and contaminate other areas causing huge health risks. These risks won’t come to light until many years later, so it is essential to get the property checked before starting the DIY to prevent any future health issues. This year in Britain, official figures estimate that 5,000 people are likely to die prematurely due to asbestos exposure. This number is exceptionally high, considering the use of asbestos was banned a long time ago. It shows the long-lasting effects asbestos can have on the body, and it is usually too late to do something by the time the illness has come to light. Asbestos removal in Surrey is more important now than ever. Ensuring those fibres are safely contained and not disturbed is essential.

Why was asbestos so widely used?

Before the ban in 1999, asbestos was used in a wide range of materials used to construct homes. It was an attractive addition due to its unique properties, including it having extreme durability and good heat resistance.

Asbestos was used in insulation, ceiling and floor tiles, walls, windows and numerous other places. Before people became aware of the risks, asbestos was such a good material to use, and between 1950 and 1985, construction companies used it in everything.

Generally, health risks decrease if asbestos remains fully intact, but if the material seems damaged, broken or worn, fibres can become airborne, putting anyone nearby at risk of exposure to several illnesses. These include chronic lung disease, asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer. You can make the asbestos airborne by disturbing it during your home renovation. Asbestos-containing materials do not always need to be removed, and if they are in good condition and are not likely to be damaged or disturbed are sometimes best left in place and managed.

I think there might be asbestos in my home – what do I do now?

Please get in touch if you think asbestos might be present in your home. Clearaway can carry out a simple sample test if there is an item you are concerned about or carry out an Asbestos Survey to identify if there is any potential risk from asbestos-containing materials in your home. All of our collected samples will be sent off to the lab for testing so we can find out an exact answer. If no asbestos is present, we can give you the all-clear to start your DIY project, but if not, we can work on removing it for you.

Clearaway Asbestos are a trusted and professional company providing asbestos removal in Surrey. Before thinking about starting your DIY project, give us a call, and we can discuss your job and give you a specifically tailored quote.

 

What to do if You Find Asbestos

What to do if you find asbestos?

Asbestos has been banned in the UK for almost twenty years, and any building constructed as recently as the year 2000 may well contain asbestos. Despite the ban, asbestos still kills thousands of people every year. It’s a silent killer where the symptoms may take decades to develop. No one wants to live or work near asbestos, so it’s a good idea to check if your building is affected, and if it is, what should you do about it?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that has been used for thousands of years in a range of items, including clothing, pottery, candle wicks and even in the preservation of dead bodies. Here in the UK, asbestos became widely used during the Industrial Revolution, when its fire and heat-resistant properties were ideal for steam engines, boilers, turbines and pipe insulation. Asbestos has also been widely used in brake linings, drywall, ship-building, and perhaps most notoriously in roof insulation, all of which can be found very commonly in day-to-day life. During the 1990s, the dangers of asbestos came to light, and it was banned. Although it had been banned, many items built before this time still contained asbestos. That is why it is such a danger nowadays as some residential buildings and places like hospitals and schools could risk containing asbestos.

What Does Asbestos Look Like?

Asbestos can be hard to detect when mixed with other materials, but it comes in blue, brown, and white varieties in its natural form. Asbestos is most dangerous when the small fibres are disturbed and become airborne. If you live in an older building or are working on any project built before the year 2000, it is essential to get an asbestos inspector out like us here at Clearaway to check for fibres. It is vital you do this before any work begins, as simple things like drilling or knocking walls down could disturb the fibres and make them airborne. Airborne asbestos has no particular smell and is hard to spot, making it even more dangerous, especially as the effects of inhaling it most likely won’t show up for many years.

What Should I do if I Suspect Asbestos?

Asbestos can be very hard to spot as it’s not clearly visible to the naked eye. This is why it is a good idea to call us here at Clearaway. We can come out and inspect, test and then remove the asbestos for you. If you were to find something that you suspect to be asbestos, then it is important that you do not disturb it. It is better to leave this to the professionals to contain in.

What Can Clearaway Asbestos Do to Help?

Our team can remove any potential asbestos samples using safe methods to help minimise the number of asbestos particles released into the air. Any suspected asbestos is transported in sealed containers and safely taken away for testing. We will ensure that any areas we have touched to remove the asbestos are made safe and that it is contained to one area to prevent any spread of the fibres.

Despite the potential hazards of asbestos, finding it in your building is no cause for alarm as long as you treat it correctly and do not disturb it. During our survey inspection, we’ll be able to advise you on how you can continue to operate safely around the asbestos. We will also contain the asbestos in one area so it doesn’t contaminate the air in other rooms or areas.

Clearaway specialises in safe, quick and professional removal of asbestos. Don’t hesitate to contact us today if you have an enquiry.

 

Who is at Risk of Asbestos?

Who is at Risk of Asbestos?

With the dangers of asbestos now commonly known across both building trade and broader society, everyone must be aware if they were ever exposed to this toxic material. Asbestos can cause many health problems for people, but it is often too late to do anything by the time these health issues come to light. This is because it can take anywhere between 10-60 years for the asbestos-related diseases to come out and show any significant symptoms. Over the last 30 years, asbestos death rates have increased, reaching around 5,000 deaths in the UK per year. The key to minimising these diseases is to limit asbestos exposure. However, that can be tricky as asbestos fibres can be hard to identify as they are not visible to the naked eye. That is where we here at Clearaway Asbestos are here to help. Before starting any work on a building, especially one built before the year 2000, it is vital that you call an asbestos company to come and investigate first. Here at Clearaway, we can inspect and check the building to see if asbestos is present. If we suspect asbestos in the building, we will send it off to the lab for testing, close off the room to limit the spread around the property and work on removing the asbestos fibres. Although asbestos may be easy to locate in households as it is a smaller and more accessible location, there are long-serving buildings used by thousands of people a year where asbestos could be present.

Asbestos In Schools

The amount of asbestos currently in pre-2000 built educational establishments has come into question recently. Mesothelioma is a rare but dangerous form of cancer that can affect anyone who has worked with asbestos. Lately, there has been a rise in mesothelioma related deaths among teachers due to the exposure of asbestos in old school buildings.

The Department For Education has estimated that 75% of UK schools contain asbestos. More worryingly, when asbestos usage was at its peak between 1945-1974, around 13,000 schools were built. Asbestos was used in schools to help keep the spread of a fire at bay if one was to start. Many of the key features in schools were also insulated with asbestos, including ceiling panels, boilers, roofing sheets and pipes. Pipe and central heating maintenance in schools have to take place regularly. Doing this can disturb asbestos and disseminate deadly fibres into the atmosphere. This can be a worrying thing for many schools across the country, so it is always best to get in an inspector to help get rid of the asbestos material.

Asbestos In Hospitals

A hospital building is built to last, so few are constructed nowadays. This means the majority of UK hospitals are considerably old. An extensive network of heating pipes and boiler systems throughout the hospital contain asbestos panelling. The BBC reported that as of October 2018, 90% of UK hospitals were confirmed to have asbestos present in their structures. There have been ongoing claims made against the NHS relating to the exposure to asbestos in hospital environments.

There is a big issue with asbestos in hospitals because they are such busy places and open 24 hours. If the asbestos was to be kept secure and left untouched, then there is a risk of it becoming fragmented and hazardous over time. On the other hand, a complete and thorough asbestos removal may interfere with the constant clinical schedules as they won’t be able to close off any areas of the hospital to work on the asbestos removal. Despite this, there has been some success stories of trusts achieving this without clinical disruptions.

Asbestos is a serious health risk that is still a danger to millions despite the 1999 total ban on using asbestos. Here at Clearaway Asbestos, we are an established business specialising in asbestos removal. Our trained operatives are organised and safety conscious, giving you complete confidence that we will do a good job. Arrange your asbestos clearance with us today by visiting our website to get your free quote tailored specifically to your job.

 

Why Choose Clearaway Asbestos For Your Asbestos Removal?

Why Choose Clearaway Asbestos For Your Asbestos Removal?

Here at Clearaway Asbestos, there are many reasons why you should choose us for your asbestos removal. We are a highly professional team specialising in asbestos removal throughout Surrey, Middlesex, Sussex & SW London. We specialise in garage asbestos removal and also remove asbestos from domestic properties, warehouses, commercial roofs and industrial environments. We ensure that all employees here at Clearaway Asbestos are professionally trained. They recieve initial and ongoing training, meaning that their work meets all the current health and safety standards and the current techniques. We cover a wide range of areas across London and can offer a wide range of services for your job. We understand every job is different, and we will create a quote tailored to your specific job and requirements.

What to look for when choosing your asbestos removal company

When choosing your asbestos inspectors, you must choose a professional and reliable service where the job will get done correctly. Below is a list of things to consider and why you should choose us here at Clearaway.

  • Experienced workers
  • Safe disposal methods
  • Price, licence and certifications
  • Inspection process

These things make up a good and professional company, just like us here at Clearaway. Read on to learn more about how we ensure our company meets all these requirements.

Experienced workers:

Clearaway is a company that has been running for many years. We are reliable and professional, with a high-quality team working for us to remove your asbestos. Our team members have been undergoing the latest training methods and know-how to remove asbestos from your site safely. They will all be wearing the correct protective headgear, gloves and other safety equipment to ensure no further contamination to the workers or your property.

Safe disposal methods:

Once the asbestos has been removed, it is essential you dispose of it correctly as it can also negatively impact the environment. Here at Clearaway Asbestos, we follow a sustainable and environmentally friendly asbestos removal process ensuring that we remove it correctly and with the environment in mind.

Price, licence and certifications:

Here at Clearaway Asbestos, we will give you the best price we can offer for your job in line with other competitors in the area. Since asbestos removal is a dangerous job, it is essential that we have a professional licence. This shows that we are a licensed company, allowed to remove asbestos safely. If you hire a company without this, it could be unsafe as they are not fully trained.

Inspection process:

Here at Clearaway Asbestos, we follow an official inspection process. This is the method used to choose the removal process and inspect where it actually is. This will be a full inspection where we will examine the property and sample the house or area for asbestos as it is not directly visible to the naked eye. We will send off the asbestos to the testing lab, where it can be sampled and checked. Some companies will follow a short and random inspection method, in which case it’s best not to hire them. Finding where the asbestos is located is one of the most crucial parts of the process as this will need to keep it contained to one area to prevent it from spreading around and find the exact location for the removal.

All of the above reasons show that Clearaway Asbestos is the best company for your job. There is no better option than us providing a high quality and professional service at a fair, competitive price. Contact us today to get a quote specifically tailored to what you need us to do for you.

Where is Asbestos found?

Where is Asbestos found?

Asbestos is a hazardous substance that is caused by silicate mineral that can be woven into fabrics and is used in fire-resistant and insulating materials. If you are planning to knock down or renovate your house, then it is usually good to check for asbestos especially if you live an older home. Using an asbestos clearing company like us here at Clearaway Asbestos can make the job easier for you so you don’t have to worry about it.

Asbestos can be found in any industrial or residential building built or refurbished before the year 2000. It is in many of the common materials used in the building trade that you may come across while doing your building work. Older buildings can contain asbestos from materials used when the building work took place. Some construction companies lined ceilings, walls, roofing and even water pipes with asbestos. Identifying asbestos containing materials before any work commences is essential before any work begins.

Why do I need to remove asbestos before starting my home renovation?

 

Asbestos is responsible for over 5000 deaths every year. Younger people, if routinely exposed to asbestos fibres over time, are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related disease than older workers. This is due to the time it takes for the body to develop symptoms after exposure to asbestos. One of the most dangerous aspects of Asbestos is that it is a friable material; meaning it can easily crumble. When this happens, the deadly fibres are released and become airborne. Exposure to asbestos can cause four main diseases:

  • Mesothelioma
  • Asbestos-related lung cancer
  • Asbestosis
  • Diffuse pleural thickening

It can take anywhere between 15-60 years for any symptoms to develop after exposure, so these diseases will not affect you immediately but may do later in life which is why it is so important to get the asbestos check out in your home.

If you start a building or renovation project without checking for asbestos first, then you could be exposing yourself and your family. The particles spread very easily around your home so need to be contained as soon as possible. There are also different severities of asbestos, and some jobs may be easier to remove than others so it is always best to get a professional out to check out the situation.

How can you remove asbestos?

You should not try and remove the asbestos on your own without getting an inspector out first. It is very dangerous, and you need to get a professional company who follow all the safety regulations to inspect it for you to see the severity of the case. All of our workers here at Clearaway Asbestos will have received proper training to complete a professional job.  They will be wearing full safety equipment to protect themselves. This will include a face mask and a suit to cover all their exposed skin. They will seal off the areas where the asbestos has been found in. This will prevent the fibres from circulating around your building and to reduce asbestos contamination throughout the area. They will then go through the process of locating and removing the asbestos from the area and disposing of it safely. It can pose a health hazard if it is not handled properly during the demolition process which is why it is always best to get professionals in.

Asbestos fibres are hard to identify as they are not easily visible to the human eye so will need to be tested on to identify the substance. Therefore, hiring us here at Clearaway is a good method to remove your asbestos as you get the testing and removal all in one service.  For more information on our services, check out our website or contact us today.

Things to Avoid During the Asbestos Removal Process

Things to Avoid During the Asbestos Removal Process

Asbestos leaks from roofs and garages are a common problem. In the case of old building demolitions, high amounts of asbestos might be found in the piled-up remains of the building. It’s always best to take precautions while removing or cleaning the traces of asbestos from the premises. Asbestos is a harmful chemical that, if inhaled, can cause lung infections, breathing problems and lung cancer.

Thus, wearing appropriate protective equipment while removing and cleaning up asbestos can help you avoid its harmful effects. To ensure the job is performed without any risk, we strongly recommend hiring professionals for the job who are qualified and certified in handling toxic and hazardous materials. Professionals in asbestos removal in London use protective gear and take the proper precautions before starting work.

When performing asbestos removal services, professionals always follow a select few rules to avoid contamination and get the premises clear of the substance efficiently and safely.

Four things to avoid during the asbestos removal process

Avoid contaminating other areas of the building

Make sure that you thoroughly clean up the place and the equipment near the affected area before moving on to the rest of the house. Use a vacuum cleaner and mop to clean up the site and avoid unnecessary contamination. Ensure that you don’t leave the asbestos-contaminated materials in and around the house area.

Avoid careless disposals

You must be very careful in disposing of the asbestos products. Please don’t dispose of them in some random dustbins inside or outside the house. Professional asbestos removal companies generally require the help of skip hire services to dispose of hazardous remains of asbestos. With the help of a professional asbestos removal company, you can get rid of the substance professionally and sustainably.

Clean off the personal protective equipment

If you’re wearing a PPE kit while removing the asbestos, you must thoroughly clean and disinfect it after handling asbestos. You can also keep a separate disposable bin where you can easily drop off the used PPE kit and ensure that nothing else is contaminated due to the remains of asbestos present on the PPE kit. Professional removal specialists keep a respirator on until the contaminated clothes are removed completely.

Avoid contaminating surroundings

If you need to remove an asbestos-contaminated roof, you must inform the neighbours before starting the project. This will ensure your neighbours secure their premises by closing the windows and removing their personal belongings from the area. Also, make sure that you use a heavy plastic covering for the garden and the soil to avoid any contamination.

If your premises are contaminated with asbestos, hire Clearaway Asbestos experts for safe removal services. To find out more, check out our website or contact us today.

Four Points to Keep in Mind Before Hiring an Asbestos Removal Company

Asbestos Renewal Service in Wimbledon

Four Points to Keep in Mind Before Hiring an Asbestos Removal Company

Are you planning to get asbestos removed from your home? It would be best if you prepared your home before you start the process. If you’re planning on removing asbestos from the roof of your house, you must hire a professional for the work. Asbestos contains hazardous chemicals that can cause severe health problems if the process is not completed correctly. Hiring the wrong company can make the process of asbestos removal unsafe.

Unprofessional asbestos removal companies may not hire qualified, experienced workers and hence might not be able to accomplish the task effectively. Professional companies will be able to remove the dangerous elements of asbestos carefully without causing any environmental hazards. This is particularly important as damage to the asbestos-containing material can cause the fibres to release into the air. Hiring a professional asbestos renewal service in Wimbledon will allow you to rest easy knowing you are in good hands.

Before hiring an asbestos removal company, make sure that you keep these points in mind.

Things to consider before hiring an asbestos removal company

Experienced workers

When hiring an asbestos removal company, make sure to check the experience of the workers. The workers must understand how to carefully and safely remove the asbestos from your property. The workers must work using protective headgears, gloves and other equipment. This will help ensure that there is no further contamination to the workers or your property.

Safe disposal methods

You must also inquire about the disposal process that your asbestos removal company follows. Asbestos can not only be harmful to humans but can also negatively impact the environment. Hence, you must hire a company that follows a sustainable and environmentally-friendly process of asbestos removal.

Price, licence and certifications

You should always make sure to consider your chosen asbestos removal company’s pricing, licence, and certifications. Make sure to compare the price rates of different asbestos removal companies in the area. Moreover, you should always check the company’s licensing and certifications since asbestos removal is a dangerous chemical job.

Inspection process

Enquire about the inspection process that the asbestos removal company follows. If they follow a short and random inspection method, it’s better not to hire them. You must hire a company that follows an official inspection process. A professional asbestos removal company must arrange for a complete inspection of the property, which will involve sampling your house for asbestos, as it is not visible to the naked eye. This will give them a clear idea of how and where to conduct their removal.

Hiring experts from Clearaway Asbestos will help you remove your old asbestos and replace any affected roofs with modern, safe materials. Safety is our top priority, and we believe in conducting thorough surveys of your property to ensure that all asbestos has been removed safely. Check our website for further details.