If your home was built before 2000, there's a chance it may still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Such materials featured heavily in UK housing developments and refurbishments during the 20th century.
Undisturbed and well-contained asbestos poses little danger, but recognising its hiding places is vital for safe management. The following guide outlines the most common spots where asbestos may be present in UK homes.
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Walls and Ceilings
Textured Coatings (e.g. Artex)
Frequently found in mid-20th-century homes.
Often applied to ceilings and occasionally walls.
Known to sometimes hold white asbestos fibres.
Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB)
Applied to enhance fire resistance and insulation.
Found in partition walls, ceiling tiles, soffits, and behind heaters.
Floors
Vinyl Floor Tiles and Sheet Flooring
Often used in kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways.
The glue or backing (often black bitumen) can contain asbestos.
Often remains beneath modern flooring in older properties in Openwoodgate.
Pipes and Central Heating
Pipe Lagging
Common in pre-1970s properties, particularly around boiler rooms and in airing cupboards.
Extremely fragile, posing high risk when compromised.
Boiler Insulation and Gaskets
Many ageing boilers included asbestos insulation to withstand heat.
Roofing and Attic
Asbestos Cement Sheets
Typically applied to outbuilding roofs and, in some cases, residential ones.
Strong and relatively low-risk unless damaged or drilled into.
Roof Lining and Soffits
Installed in the edges and linings of roofing structures.
Loose Fill Insulation
Uncommon but poses severe health risks.
Appears in some older attics as soft, fluffy insulation.
Outbuildings and Garages
Outbuildings from the mid-century often incorporated asbestos cement in their design.
Frequently found in garage ceilings and cold water tanks.
Bathrooms and Kitchens
Wall Panels and Splashbacks
Installed behind appliances and fixtures for fire and moisture protection.
Toilet Cisterns and Seats
Older toilet parts sometimes incorporated asbestos-reinforced materials.
Electrical Components
Old electrical systems often featured asbestos due to its resistance to heat and fire.
Often overlooked during DIY rewiring or fitting upgrades.
A Word on Asbestos
A lot of asbestos materials remain out of sight in hidden structural areas. This is why a Refurbishment or Demolition Survey is essential before starting any major work-it uncovers materials you wouldn't see with the naked eye.
Seeing no asbestos doesn't mean it's not present. Always treat homes built before 2000 with caution, especially ahead of renovations or repairs.
If you're unsure, arrange a Derbyshire professional asbestos survey in Openwoodgate. A minor cost that offers significant reassurance and risk reduction.
We've got more information for Openwoodgate residents on the site here:
- An Overview Of What Openwoodgate Asbestos Surveys Consider
- Finding Reputable Asbestos Disposal Points in Openwoodgate
- Typical Locations Of Asbestos-Containing Materials In Openwoodgate Houses
We also cover more of the local Derbyshire area too: