If you’re the owner of a building that was erected prior to 2000, chances are that it might include asbestos somewhere. Asbestos was widely used in the 20th century – in fact it’s been a building material of choice since the classic Greek period, so is very prevalent. Asbestos can be found in a myriad of places as a result – in cement products such as pipes and roofs, in lagging on your pipes and boilers, on water tanks or in insulating boards, as well as in the ceiling or inside wall cavities. The only way to know for sure whether it’s in your building and it current condition is to arrange for a professional survey to be carried out.
Arranging for an asbestos survey in Leeds
You will find that there are companies that are licensed and qualified to conduct a thorough asbestos survey. If you are a homeowner, you may have the survey simply for peace of mind and to ensure the safety of your family. If asbestos is found, it might not be necessary to remove it immediately, although its presence and position will be logged in an asbestos register. Even if the asbestos is slightly damaged, it may be possible to repair it and seal it through enclosing the material. Any badly damaged material will need to be removed, as this is when fibres can dislodge and cause health problems.
Under no circumstances should you attempt to repair or remove any asbestos substance yourself unless you are licensed and have been trained. You’ll be able to locate companies that are trained in removal, and can even contact your local health officer for a recommendation if you’re not sure who to work through. They should be able to help you find a contractor who is licensed by HSE to carry out the removal. Click here to get more information.
What to do if you find asbestos
Once you have had an asbestos survey, there will be paperwork that will need to be filed with local authorities, denoting the position and condition of the mineral. If you decide to leave the asbestos in place, you should make certain that you constantly monitor its condition. The asbestos register will be used when you decide to sell your home, as future owners will need to know of the presence of asbestos.
Should you decide to embark on any DIY or refurbishment projects, you’ll need to inform any contractors of the location of the asbestos before they begin work. It’s at this time that you may want to have the substance removed by trained professionals who will have the right know-how and protective equipment. Should you decide to demolish any part of the house where asbestos is known to be located, you will be legally required to have it expertly removed and disposed of. In the case of demolition, you may need a further asbestos survey, which will be fully intrusive. This will mean inspecting all hidden corners and drilling into walls and other cavities in the building.
For your peace of mind, as well as legal compliance, you should arrange for an asbestos survey for your Leeds building. Contact ACS Health, Safety & Environment for expert assistance in this regard.
