Anyone whose home was built or renovated between 1950 and 1999 has been issued a warning over a possible hidden danger lurking in their property.
According to property experts, asbestos was widely used in homes within this time period so if properties haven’t been fully renovated since 2000, there is a strong likelihood that asbestos is still present.
Asbestos refers to several naturally occurring fibrous minerals that have crystallised to form fibres which don’t dissolve in water, are resistant to heat, fire, chemical and biological degradation.
These properties made it an ideal material for things like insulating buildings, boilers and pipes, car brakes and floor tiles, and asbestos cement for roofing sheets and pipes.
People can be exposed to asbestos by breathing, eating, or drinking the substance, or by skin contact, which can result in adverse health effects, depending on the amount you’re exposed to and the way you are exposed.
All forms of asbestos fibres are hazardous as they can induce cancer following inhalation exposure and breathing in high concentrations for a long period of time can affect the lungs, causing asbestosis where breathing becomes difficult and the heart enlarges.
According to Health and Safety Executive, around 5,000 people die in the UK every year from asbestos-related diseases which typically take decades to develop and cannot be cured. However, many homeowners remain unaware of the hidden dangers in their home.
Checkatrade Asbestos expert Jamie Gatley says a “huge proportion” of UK homes still have asbestos, and knowing exactly when your home was built or renovated is a key indicator as to whether your home is likely to have it.
He warns: “Homes built or renovated between 1950 and 1999 – when asbestos was commonly used before being banned – are very likely to have had asbestos used as part of the construction work. If your home was built or renovated in that time, and you’ve not had it fully renovated since 2000 – you likely have asbestos present.
“It has been used quite widely, but it can most commonly be seen in textured coatings on ceilings and walls, floor coverings, external pipework, soffits, and garages. When changing flooring, be especially aware when changing any vinyl-type tiles or linoleum.
“Whenever you have tradespeople in your home carrying out work, ask them if they are checking for signs of asbestos. Some less-experienced contractors may simply not be considering asbestos – especially now we have a new generation of tradespeople in their early 20s who may not be as aware of it, as they were too young to have seen it in the news at the time it was banned.
“If you know or suspect you have asbestos, it is vital to hire an asbestos specialist. It is too dangerous for homeowners to tackle themselves. When booking an asbestos expert, look for the correct asbestos surveying qualifications and that samples are being analysed at a UKAS Accredited laboratory.”