Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous material that was used in numerous construction projects across the country between the 1950s and the 1980s. 

Thanks to its low price point and heat-resistant, sound-absorbing and insulating properties, it was initially considered to be something of a miracle material. 

However, when the risks of handling asbestos became apparent, it was withdrawn from sale, supply and use.

Some common places where asbestos can be found include:

• Insulation: Pipe lagging, loose-fill cavity insulation, asbestos insulating boards (AIBs)
• Roofing and cladding: Roofing felt, asbestos cement roof tiles and slates
• Walls and ceilings: Artex coatings, asbestos-containing plaster, AIBs used for partition walls, panels and ceilings
• Flooring tiles: Commonly asphalt or vinyl

However, it’s important to remember that you can’t identify asbestos by sight alone; you’ll need a certified professional to inspect and test the materials to confirm its presence.

Any building that was constructed or refurbished before 1999 may have asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) present, so it’s important to remain vigilant. While essentially, there is always a risk of asbestos in older properties, certain properties are more likely to have asbestos than others. Here are some of the most common culprits:

• Residential properties: Older properties will typically contain asbestos in some form, especially those built between the 1950s and the 1980s.
• Schools: It’s estimated that around 81% of schools in England still contain asbestos – a worrying statistic as children are especially vulnerable to the effects of asbestos exposure.
• Hospitals: As many public buildings, including hospitals, were built during the post World War II construction boom, asbestos is extremely common. A recent study, commissioned by the TUC, found that two thirds of all surveyed NHS buildings in London have asbestos present.
• Industrial buildings: Many factories, warehouses and other industrial buildings still contain asbestos.
• Agricultural buildings: Numerous barns, sheds and other agricultural buildings used asbestos cement sheets in the construction of their roofs.

It’s only when asbestos is damaged that it releases dangerous fibres and dust. If asbestos remains undisturbed and in good condition, then it is generally safe to leave it in place, as long as it’s regularly monitored. But what happens if you want to carry out major refurbishments or even demolish the building in question?

As asbestos is so dangerous, it must be handled by a qualified professional, like Hill Demolition. Before any work is carried out, we’ll arrange a Refurbishment and Demolition Survey, as is required by law, and notify the relevant authorities.

Then, once a risk assessment has been completed, we’ll seal the area off to prevent any fibres from spreading and ensure everyone in the vicinity is wearing the correct PPE. The method of removal may vary depending on the type and condition of the asbestos – sometimes it may be wetted and dismantled by hand, while other times it may require specialist tools – but once it has been removed, we’ll ensure it is safely and legally disposed of in line with all regulations.