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.