| Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can still be found in many building materials. Thanks to its unique properties, such as resistance against fire and chemicals, and the overall ability to make materials stronger, it was very popular in the construction industry. When disturbed, asbestos produces microscopic particles, which are released into the air and are invisible to the naked eye. When these particles become airborne, they can be inhaled by people who are nearby and, over time, can cause some severe diseases such as cancer. According to the statistics, approximately 1.3 million people are exposed to asbestos each year. As of now, there were almost one thousand deaths recorded in 2022 in the UK alone. Fortunately, in 1985 asbestos was banned in the UK. However, asbestos is still present in many buildings, which can only be removed by professionals who have specialist equipment. Nonetheless, it’s important to know where you can find asbestos so you can ensure that your property is safe for people around it. That’s why in this article, we are going to cover the most common places you can find asbestos so you can book an asbestos removal in Kent. Roof One of the most common places to find asbestos is the roof. It can be located in many different parts, both outside and inside. What makes it even worse is the fact that it was used in many different materials such as tiles, cement sheeting, coverings and beneath the insulation. Other common places where asbestos might be present are down, soil and flue pipes or roof joists. Heating Thanks to its great properties, asbestos was used for insulation. The most common places where you can find asbestos are boiler cupboards, heating and airing. You should look for pipes that are covered in insulation and gasket materials that are around heating equipment. It’s a very common place to find it, so you should definitely check there. Doors and windows As you are probably aware, windows and doors are places where cold air can enter your property. That’s why it’s very common to insulate those areas. If you plan to check those places, you should look for cement panels and asbestos board below and above windows, inside and on the back of the doors. Toilets and bathrooms Another place where asbestos can be found is in bathrooms. The most common ones are toilet seats, floor coverings, walls and ceilings. Moreover, you should also look out for pipe covers and panels, as there are probably quite a lot of them in your bathroom. Living area Unfortunately, there are many places where you can find asbestos in living areas. In fact, if you wanted to list all of them, the list would end up being extremely long. Nonetheless, you should look for textured coatings on the ceiling and walls, such as artex. Other quite common areas are floors and their coverings, for example, vinyl. Outside of your property There are many places outside of your home where asbestos can be found. The most obvious ones are garages, sheds and outbuildings, which have wall sheeting and cement roofs. You might be surprised, but it was also used in the sealants for brick joints and textured paint finish. As you can see, asbestos can be found in pretty much every part of your home. If the property was built before 1985, then most definitely, it can be present. Getting rid of it is extremely important as it can cause serious health damage. The worst part is that asbestos doesn’t cause immediate effects, and it takes years for diseases to develop. However, you must remember that if you find it on your property, you shouldn’t try to remove it yourself. The best idea is to book an asbestos removal service with professionals who are trained and have specific equipment to do it safely. |
Most common places to find asbestos
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