We’ve all heard about asbestos but do you know what is it?
Asbestos isn’t a modern material nor is invented by a man. Asbestos fibres are naturally occurring in the environment. Its properties are known to man for over 4000 years.
There are six types of asbestos minerals, which are classified into two groups based on their physical and chemical properties:
Serpentine asbestos: This group includes only one type of asbestos, chrysotile, which has curly fibers and is the most commonly used type of asbestos in commercial applications.
Amphibole asbestos: This group includes five types of asbestos, which have straight, needle-like fibers that are more brittle than chrysotile. The five types of amphibole asbestos are:
Crocidolite (blue asbestos)
Amosite (brown asbestos)
Anthophyllite
Tremolite
Actinolite
All types of asbestos have been linked to serious health effects, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, and their use has been largely banned or heavily regulated in many countries around the world.
Until 1999 when asbestos was completely banned in the UK, the hazardous material was commonly used in floor tiles, ceiling tiles, and roofing materials.
Asbestos is fire resistant and does not conduct electricity, it seemed like a perfect construction material for to use in the construction industry until health concerns were raised.
What does asbestos look like and where to find asbestos?
Asbestos can be found in various materials in a typical British home, including:
Insulation: Asbestos was commonly used in insulation materials, including pipe insulation, boiler insulation, and attic insulation.
Ceiling tiles: Asbestos was commonly used in ceiling tiles, particularly those with a textured surface.
Flooring: Asbestos was commonly used in vinyl flooring, especially in the backing material.
Roofing: Asbestos was commonly used in roofing over other materials used, including corrugated cement roofing sheets.
Cement products: Asbestos was commonly used in cement products, including pipes, guttering, and downspouts.
In 1999 UK government banned using any type of asbestos in construction work, but many houses build pre-1999 can be made using asbestos removed some form of asbestos.
The problem is that you may not know that you’ve been exposed to asbestos for years as it takes a long time from asbestos exposure to possible health issues to become apparent. Asbestos found in residential properties if house building is in good condition does not need to be removed. The removal potential asbestos exposures is not legally required but it needs to be maintained so it stays intact.
Asbestos removal could be more dangerous to human health if asbestos cement left undisturbed.
Asbestos fibres, when inhaled, will negatively affect the lungs and lungs lining. There are many asbestos-related illnesses. Some of them are non-cancerous and in some instances, asbestos can cause lung cancer.
How to remove asbestos?
Asbestos removal should only be done by a licensed asbestos professional to ensure safe handling and other asbestos disposal requirements. If you suspect that your home or workplace contains asbestos, it is important to contact a licensed asbestos professional to conduct an inspection and determine the appropriate course of action.
Here are the general steps involved in the asbestos removal process:
Inspection and testing: A licensed asbestos professional will inspect the area and take samples of any suspected asbestos-containing materials for laboratory testing to confirm the presence of asbestos.
Planning: The asbestos professional will develop a removal plan that includes procedures for isolating asbestos boarding the work area, minimizing the release of asbestos fibers, and proper disposal of asbestos waste.
Removal: The asbestos professional will use specialized equipment and procedures to carefully remove the asbestos-containing materials, following the removal plan to minimize the risk of asbestos exposure.
Cleanup and disposal: The work area will be thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated, and all asbestos waste will be sealed and labeled for proper disposal in accordance with local regulations.
It is important to note that disturbing or removing asbestos-containing materials can release dangerous fibers into the air, which can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you do not attempt to remove asbestos-containing materials yourself and instead contact a licensed, professional asbestos survey professional for safe and proper removal. Asbestos removal is a job for a highly-skilled professional. If you suspect you have asbestos, order an asbestos survey and let a professional company deal with it. Sometimes it may be the best course of action to keep the asbestos if in good condition as removing it may be much more dangerous.
So once again – do not attempt to sell a house, remove it yourself!
How to sell a property with asbestos?
Selling a house with asbestos can be tricky. It will estate agents longer to find potential buyers as they will most likely be scared of the harmful material. That’s totally understandable. You need to remember that if you are aware of the presence of asbestos in residential property, you need to disclose that fact.
Key points for selling a property with asbestos in the UK?
Disclosure: It is your legal obligation to disclose the presence of asbestos in the property to potential buyers. You should provide any documentation or information you have regarding the presence of asbestos, including inspection reports or testing results.
Asbestos survey: Consider having an asbestos survey conducted by a licensed asbestos professional to determine the extent and condition of any asbestos-containing materials in the property. This can help you accurately disclose the presence of asbestos to potential buyers.
Remediation: If asbestos-containing materials are found in the property, you should consider having them professionally removed or remediated before selling the property. This can help to ensure that the property is safe for the new occupants and may also make the property more attractive to potential buyers.
Professional advice: It is strongly recommended that you seek the advice of a licensed asbestos professional and/or legal professional when selling a property with suspected asbestos. They can help you navigate the legal and safety issues associated with asbestos and ensure that you comply with all relevant regulations.
An alternative way of selling a property with asbestos
If you didn’t have much luck selling a house with asbestos the traditional way, there is another way. Quick and easy. Companies like SpeedPropertyBuyers have lots and I mean it – lots of experience with buying properties that have asbestos. Contact us today and our friendly team will explain every step of the process. We will provide you with a cash offer quickly as we’re using our own funds so no third party are involved. Selling the property to a professional property buyer is the best way if you need to move on quickly and hassle-free.