Asbestos in Older Homes
Asbestos was widely used in UK homes during much of the twentieth century, so finding a material that could contain asbestos in an older property is not particularly unusual. That does not necessarily mean there is an immediate problem. In many cases, asbestos-containing materials can remain safely in place if they are in good condition and are unlikely to be disturbed. The important thing is knowing where they may be present, what condition they are in and whether further investigation is needed.
Where might asbestos be found in a house?
Asbestos was used in a surprisingly wide range of building materials, particularly in properties built or altered before its use was fully banned in the UK in 1999. A surveyor may come across materials that could contain asbestos in textured wall and ceiling coatings, old floor tiles, roofing sheets, soffits, insulation boards, pipework and boiler insulation, among other areas. It can also turn up as part of later alterations to much older properties. The age of the house alone therefore does not tell you whether asbestos is likely to be present. Its refurbishment history can be just as relevant.
Can a building survey identify asbestos?
During a building survey, the surveyor will look for materials that, based on their age, appearance and location, could potentially contain asbestos.
A visual survey cannot confirm whether asbestos is actually present. Many asbestos-containing materials look very similar to products that do not contain asbestos, so confirmation normally requires a sample to be taken and analysed by an appropriate specialist laboratory. Where a surveyor sees something that raises concern, the report can explain where the suspected material is located and recommend specialist testing where appropriate. This can be particularly useful if you are planning refurbishment work, as materials that have remained undisturbed for decades may become an issue when ceilings, walls, floors or services are removed.
Does asbestos always need to be removed?
No. The appropriate response depends on the type of material, its condition, where it is situated and what you intend to do with the property.
Material that is in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed may sometimes be left in place and managed. Damaged material, or asbestos that will be affected by planned building work, may need a different approach. If testing confirms asbestos, a specialist can advise on whether it should be monitored, encapsulated or removed and whether the work needs to be carried out by a licensed contractor.
What does asbestos mean when buying a property?
For buyers, the presence or suspected presence of asbestos is usually something to understand rather than something to panic about. The more useful questions are where it is, what condition it is in and whether it is likely to affect any work you have planned for the property. For example, an asbestos-containing roof panel that can remain undisturbed may have very different implications from asbestos insulation board that needs to be removed as part of a major refurbishment. Understanding that distinction can help you make a more informed decision about the property and anticipate any further investigations or costs.
How Novello can help
At Novello, our surveyors have a deliberately limited number of inspections each week, giving them the time to carry out a thorough assessment of the property and properly consider what they find. If they see materials that could contain asbestos, they will highlight them in the report and explain whether further specialist investigation or testing is recommended. A building survey cannot confirm the presence of asbestos, as that requires laboratory analysis of a sample. Once the report has been issued, you can also speak directly to your surveyor about anything they have found, including what a suspected asbestos-containing material could mean for the property or any work you are planning.
