If you're arranging an asbestos survey for your home or rental property, you might be wondering what exactly the surveyor will be looking for. Knowing what the survey entails will help you stay informed and take the right action afterwards.
In this article, we'll explain what your Mastin Moor asbestos survey looks for, how it's carried out, and what happens afterward.
What Is the Aim of an Asbestos Survey?
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.
During the survey, professionals will:
Identify the presence and extent of ACMs.
Assess their condition.
Evaluate the potential risk of disturbance or exposure.
The findings help homeowners, landlords, and contractors make informed decisions about safe management or removal.
What Does the Surveyor Look For?
Here are the main elements a qualified surveyor will investigate:
Common Asbestos-Containing Materials
The surveyor inspects areas where asbestos was typically used, including:
Textured wall and ceiling finishes like Artex
Asbestos insulating boards in walls and ceilings
Lagging and insulation around pipes
Floor tiles and the bitumen adhesive below them
Cement products (like guttering, soffits, or flue pipes)
Roofing sheets or garage roofs made from asbestos cement
Internal partitions or heat shields containing ACMs
Condition of Materials
The condition of any suspected ACMs is recorded. 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.
Risk of Being Disturbed
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.
Will the Survey Include Sample Collection?
Yes. When ACMs are suspected, a few samples are safely removed for analysis. The lab determines:
The presence of asbestos fibres.
What kind of asbestos it is (white, brown, or blue).
How much asbestos is present.
Professionals follow strict protocols to ensure safe sample collection.
Different Survey Types Explained
Surveys vary based on the reason they are being conducted:
Management Survey
Focuses on ACMs that pose risks during everyday operations.
Carried out with limited invasion to the property.
Ideal for routine inspections and landlord obligations.
Survey Prior to Renovation or Demolition
Necessary for planned refurbishments or tear-downs.
Highly intrusive, as it may involve opening up walls, ceilings, and floor voids.
Aims to uncover any hidden ACMs that might be disturbed during building work.
Post-Survey Procedures and Reports
You'll get full documentation after the survey. Your report will show:
A list of all ACMs found.
Images and positions of each ACM.
Risk assessments and material condition ratings.
Advice on what to do next, from removal to monitoring.
Where serious risks exist, professional removal will be necessary. Encapsulation or periodic reviews may be enough for stable ACMs.
Conclusion
An asbestos survey doesn't just look for the presence of asbestos-it evaluates the risk it poses and helps you plan how to deal with it responsibly. Whether you're renovating a 1950s home or managing a rental flat, an asbestos survey is a practical and often essential step in keeping people safe.
If you'd like advice on booking a survey or understanding your results, get in touch with a qualified asbestos professional. Let us help you carry out asbestos management the right way.
We've got more information on asbestos and ACMs for Mastin Moor residents on the site here:
- What Does An Asbestos Survey In Mastin Moor Look For?
- Finding Approved Sites for Asbestos Waste in Mastin Moor
- Typical Locations Of ACMs In Mastin Moor Households
We also cover more of the local Derbyshire area too: