Asbestos questions, answered

Asbestos cement is a building material made from cement mixed with asbestos fibre. It was used for roof sheets, wall cladding, gutters, soffits and panels throughout much of the twentieth century. The fibres are locked into the cement, which makes intact material lower risk than loose insulation.

Blue and brown asbestos were banned in the 1980s and white asbestos in 1999. Buildings and extensions put up before 2000 can still contain asbestos products.

Intact, undisturbed asbestos cement is generally low risk. The danger is fibre released when the material is damaged, drilled, broken, sanded or pressure-washed.

No. Many asbestos products look like modern alternatives. A laboratory test of a small sample is the only way to be certain.

Breathing in asbestos fibres can lead to serious lung diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. They often appear decades after exposure, which is why avoiding exposure matters.

Large grey corrugated sheets on a garage built before 2000 are a strong clue. Send photos to get an opinion and, if needed, arrange a sample.

A single garage is often one to two days from set-up to clearing away, depending on size, access and weather.

No, but most people do not want to leave the building open to the weather. A new roof can be fitted in the same job.

It is strongly advised against. Safe removal needs training, equipment and a lawful route for the waste.

Overroofing can be possible for some structures, but it leaves the asbestos in place and can be difficult to undo later. Ask the contractor whether it is suitable for your building.

They are wetted, lowered, double-wrapped, labelled and taken to a permitted site. You should receive waste paperwork.

It depends on size, access, condition and whether a new roof is included. Only a written quote after seeing photos is reliable.

Sending your details and photos through this site is free and carries no obligation.

Differences in scope, such as scaffold, waste paperwork, making good and replacement roofing, explain most gaps. Compare quotes line by line.

No. We are an introduction service paid by the contractor. You deal directly with the contractor for the price and the work.

A rough idea is possible, but a firm quote needs photos and the building size.

No. It is hazardous waste and must go to a permitted site via a registered carrier.

A waste transfer note and the details of the carrier and disposal site. Keep them.

For ordinary householders it is usually not required, but the contractor may have notification duties. Ask them what applies.

Some household sites accept small, correctly wrapped amounts under strict rules, and many do not accept it at all. Check with your county council.

It is a legal duty on owners and managers of non-domestic buildings to find out whether asbestos is present, assess its condition and manage the risk.

A survey identifies suspect materials, samples them and reports on what was found, where and in what condition.

A management survey covers normal use. A refurbishment and demolition survey is more intrusive and is needed before major building work.

Often a few working days, depending on the laboratory and the number of samples.

It is not compulsory for a home, but it helps you plan renovation and avoid surprises.

Some textured coatings sold before 2000 did. Many do not. Do not sand or scrape it, and have a sample tested.

Some contained asbestos, as did the black adhesive. Intact tiles under a newer floor are usually best left alone.

Yes, particularly in houses and boiler cupboards before the 1980s. It can be fragile, so do not touch it.

Flat grey boards on pre-2000 houses may be asbestos. Do not drill or cut them without testing.

Redditch and its neighbourhoods, nearby Worcestershire villages and towns such as Astwood Bank, Feckenham, Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa, and Warwickshire places such as Studley, Alcester and Henley-in-Arden.

Yes. We introduce contractors who work on domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural and public buildings.

Yes. We can put you in touch with a contractor who arranges work around term times and events.

We are an introduction service. The contractor is independent, provides the quote and does the work.