For home renovations of any shape or size, the approach is important. You want to ensure that everything you do only benefits your home’s value and functionality, as well as the personal experience you have of it.
Renovating a home built before the year 2000 will mean that there’s a likelihood of asbestos being present. Asbestos-containing materials are safe if they are undisturbed. However, they can become a major health hazard if cut or drilled, or broken into while remodeling.
Therefore, it’s important to take such matters extremely seriously, especially when they are present. Let’s take a look at what every homeowner should know before starting renovations.
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Identify asbestos locations
Asbestos was used extensively in insulation, fireproofing, and strengthening of properties. There are common and hidden places in which asbestos can be found, so it’s important to identify these locations.
- Textured coatings – Artex ceilings and walls
- Flooring – Thermoplastic floor tiles and linoleum backing
- Roofing/structure – Asbestos cement roofs, garages, and pipes
- Insulation – Boilers, pipe lagging, and loft insulation
- Fireplaces – Surrounds and backing materials
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Mandatory steps before you renovate
Before you begin renovating, it’s a good idea to get an asbestos survey if your home was built before 2000. You must obtain a Refurbishment/Demolition Survey before you start any work, even if it’s minor.
Under no circumstances is it wise to do your own testing. Only qualified surveyors should take samples should be taking samples for laboratory testing to confirm the presence and the type of asbestos present in the home.
If you’re not able to confirm that the material is free from asbestos, then it is better to assume it contains asbestos and proceed with utmost caution.
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Removal versus management
If there’s asbestos found, then it doesn’t always need to be removed. If the ACM is in good condition, then chances are it won’t be disturbed by your renovation.
In some cases, asbestos can be sealed or covered by a professional to prevent the fibers from becoming airborne. If the renovation requires disturbing it, then that’s where professionals should get involved.
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Hiring professionals
When hiring professionals, you should only use licensed asbestos removal professionals. Ensure they are properly insured and qualified to handle the transport and disposal of these hazardous materials.
After removal, you should obtain a clearance certificate confirming that the area is safe for reoccupation.
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What to do if you discover suspected asbestos
If you suspect asbestos, perhaps after stumbling upon some unexpected material during a DIY project, it’s best to down tools immediately. Isolate the area to prevent others from entering. Don’t clean or vacuum, as this can spread the fibers and seal the material if possible.
You’ve also got legal duties as a homeowner, and if you’re selling your home, you should make it known about any asbestos that’s present in the house.
It’s important to handle and treat asbestos with professional care and to not try and tackle the problem yourself. Otherwise, you could end up with some serious health consequences as a result.
