Why the date matters
Asbestos products were used heavily from the 1950s to the 1980s. Blue and brown types were banned in the 1980s and white asbestos in 1999. A house, extension or garage built before 2000 may contain products made earlier and used later from stock.
Outside the house
- Garage and shed roofs in corrugated cement sheet
- Soffits, fascias and bargeboards
- Gutters, downpipes and hopper heads
- Cladding and porch roof panels
- Flat roof details and chimney flues
Inside the house
- Textured ceiling and wall coatings
- Ceiling tiles and partition boards
- Vinyl floor tiles and black adhesive
- Pipe lagging and boiler cupboard insulation
- Fire door panels and fireplace surrounds
What is usually low risk
Materials in good condition that are not being worked on are generally low risk. Fibres are normally bound into the product. The key rule is: do not disturb a material you cannot identify.
Before renovation
Tell your builder the age of the property. Ask for a refurbishment survey of the areas being worked on. Keep the report and share it with every trade.
This guide is general information. A survey is the only way to confirm what is in your building.
