Booking an asbestos survey for a domestic or rental property often raises the question: what will the surveyor check? Knowing what the survey entails will help you stay informed and take the right action afterwards.
We'll break down the key things a survey in Ripley looks for, how it's done, and what to expect after.
Why Asbestos Surveys Are Conducted
At its core, an asbestos survey is designed to locate, identify, and assess asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) within a building. Asbestos featured in many homes before it was prohibited in 1999. Properties built before 2000 are likely to still harbour some form of ACMs.
The surveyor's role is to:
Pinpoint the location and amount of asbestos-containing materials.
Check the current state of each material.
Judge the risk level associated with each ACM.
The findings help homeowners, landlords, and contractors make informed decisions about safe management or removal.
What Areas and Materials Are Inspected
Surveyors usually examine these aspects:
Typical ACMs Found in Homes
The surveyor inspects areas where asbestos was typically used, including:
Textured coatings (e.g. Artex ceilings and walls)
Asbestos insulating boards in walls and ceilings
Pipe insulation and lagging
Vinyl floor tiles and the adhesive underneath
Cement products (like guttering, soffits, or flue pipes)
Asbestos cement roof panels or garage coverings
Partition walls or fireproof panels behind boilers or heaters
Material Integrity Assessment
Each material's condition is documented. Materials in poor condition-especially those that are friable (easily crumbled or damaged)-pose a higher risk. As an example, intact roofing sheets are lower risk than crumbling pipe insulation.
Potential for Disruption
They evaluate the chance of disturbance during everyday use or renovations. Panels in high-traffic areas are at greater risk than those hidden in attics.
Is Sampling Part of the Survey?
Yes. When ACMs are suspected, a few samples are safely removed for analysis. The lab determines:
Whether asbestos is in the material.
The type of asbestos (e.g. chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite).
How much asbestos is present.
All sampling is done in a controlled, safe manner to prevent fibre release.
Different Survey Types Explained
The depth of the survey depends on its purpose:
Standard Management Survey
Focuses on ACMs that pose risks during everyday operations.
Carried out with limited invasion to the property.
Suitable for landlords managing communal areas in rented housing or cautious homeowners wanting peace of mind.
Survey Prior to Renovation or Demolition
Legally required ahead of major structural work.
Extensive as it often requires accessing hidden areas.
Ensures that no asbestos is accidentally disturbed during works.
What Happens After the Survey?
You'll get full documentation after the survey. It contains:
A list of all ACMs found.
Images and positions of each ACM.
Evaluations of condition and associated risk.
Advice on what to do next, from removal to monitoring.
Where serious risks exist, professional removal will be necessary. For lower-risk materials, encapsulation (sealing) or routine monitoring may suffice.
Final Thoughts
These surveys give you a roadmap for safe management, not just detection. From home upgrades to rental responsibilities, surveys play a key role in safeguarding health.
Speak to a certified professional for guidance with bookings or interpreting results. We're here to help you navigate the process safely and confidently.
We've got more information on asbestos and ACMs for Ripley residents on the site here:
- A Look At What Ripley Asbestos Surveys Inspect
- How To Find An Ripley ACM Disposal Location
- Common Places To Find Asbestos In Ripley Houses
We also cover more of the local Derbyshire area too: