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. Here's a practical guide to where ACMs are most commonly found in UK domestic properties.
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Walls and Ceilings
Textured Coatings (e.g. Artex)
Common in homes from the 1960s-1980s.
Generally used on ceilings, but occasionally found on walls.
Could include chrysotile (white type of asbestos).
Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB)
Applied to enhance fire resistance and insulation.
Located in ceiling panels, internal partitions, soffits, and behind radiators.
Floors
Vinyl Floor Tiles and Sheet Flooring
Typically found in high-use areas such as kitchens and hallways.
Adhesives or backing layers sometimes held asbestos fibres.
Often remains beneath modern flooring in older properties.
Pipes and Heating
Pipe Lagging
Common in pre-1970s properties, particularly around boiler rooms and in airing cupboards.
Very crumbly and dangerous if disturbed or degraded.
Boiler Insulation and Gaskets
Many ageing boilers included asbestos insulation to withstand heat.
Roof Materials and Loft Areas
Asbestos Cement Sheets
Used in garages, sheds, and occasionally the main house roof.
Durable and not highly hazardous unless disturbed.
Roof Linings and Soffits
Asbestos cement or AIB used to line roof eaves, gable ends, or soffits.
Loose Fill Insulation
Rare but extremely hazardous.
Appears in some older attics as soft, fluffy insulation.
Outbuildings and Garages
Outbuildings from the mid-century often incorporated asbestos cement in their design.
Included in overhead panels and older plumbing tanks.
Bathrooms and Kitchens
Wall Panels and Splashbacks
AIB used behind sinks, cookers, or bath panels for heat and moisture resistance.
Toilet Cisterns and Seats
Plastic fittings from past decades may include bonded asbestos.
Electrical Components
Fireproofing needs meant asbestos was often used behind switches, in fuse boxes, and around old lighting systems.
Often overlooked during DIY rewiring or fitting upgrades.
A Final Word on Other Asbestos
A lot of asbestos materials remain out of sight in hidden structural areas. Conducting a demolition or refurb survey before major alterations ensures no concealed ACMs are disturbed.
Just because asbestos isn't visible doesn't mean it's not there. If your house predates 2000, it's safest to act as though asbestos might be present when making changes.
When in doubt, consult a licensed asbestos surveyor near Sterndale Moor. It helps ensure everyone stays safe and informed before work begins.
We've got more information for Sterndale Moor residents on the site here:
- Understanding What Sterndale Moor Asbestos Surveys Consider
- Where to Locate Reputable Asbestos Disposal Points in Sterndale Moor
- Where To Look For ACMs In Sterndale Moor Homes
We also cover more of the local Derbyshire area too: