What Little Eaton Contractors Check For In Their Building Survey

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 Little Eaton asbestos survey looks for, how it's carried out, and what happens afterward.

Asbestos Surveys

What Is the Aim of an Asbestos Survey?

The main goal of an asbestos survey is to detect and evaluate asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in a property. These materials were widely used in UK construction until asbestos was banned in 1999. Properties built before 2000 are likely to still harbour some form of ACMs.

A qualified surveyor will typically:

Find and map out where ACMs exist.

Evaluate how well the materials are holding up.

Consider how likely the materials are to be disturbed.

This information helps determine whether management, encapsulation, or removal is necessary.

What Does the Surveyor Look For?

Here are the main elements a qualified surveyor will investigate:

Common Asbestos-Containing Materials
They will check areas that historically contained ACMs, such as:

Textured coatings (e.g. Artex ceilings and walls)

Asbestos insulating boards in walls and ceilings

Lagging and insulation around pipes

Vinyl floor tiles and the adhesive underneath

Cement products (like guttering, soffits, or flue pipes)

Asbestos cement roof panels or garage coverings

Internal partitions or heat shields containing ACMs

Condition of Materials

Surveyors make note of the state of each ACM. Friable materials, which easily break down, are more hazardous. As an example, intact roofing sheets are lower risk than crumbling pipe insulation.

Likelihood of Disturbance

The surveyor assesses how likely each ACM is to be disturbed during normal occupancy or planned work. Bathroom panelling may be affected by upgrades, while loft tiles may stay undisturbed.

Are Samples Taken?

Typically, yes. If materials are suspected of containing asbestos, the surveyor will usually take small samples for laboratory testing. This helps confirm:

Whether asbestos is in the material.

The type of asbestos (e.g. chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite).

How much asbestos is present.

Sampling is carried out with care to avoid contamination.

Different Survey Types Explained

The scope of inspection is guided by its intended use:

Management Survey

Identifies materials that might be affected during standard use of the property.

Non-intrusive and minimal disruption.

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.

Aims to uncover any hidden ACMs that might be disturbed during building work.

What Happens After the Survey?

Once completed, you'll receive a detailed asbestos survey report. It contains:

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.

If high-risk asbestos is found, you may need to arrange removal by a licensed contractor. 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. 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. Let us help you carry out asbestos management the right way.

We've got more information on asbestos and ACMs for Little Eaton residents on the site here:

We also cover more of the local Derbyshire area too:

  • What Kilburn Experts Look For During An Site Inspection
  • What Horsley Woodhouse Inspectors Check For In Their Building Report
  • What Holbrook Experts Look For During Their Site Survey
  • A Look At What Holbrook Moor Asbestos Surveys Examine
  • An Overview Of What Milford Asbestos Surveys Examine
  • What Does An Asbestos Survey In Lower Kilburn Look For?
  • What Does An Asbestos Survey In Morley Consider?
  • What Morley Smithy Surveyors Look For With An Building Inspection
  • Understanding What Makeney Asbestos Surveys Consider
  • What Does An Asbestos Survey In Horsley Consider?
  • A Look At What Morley Asbestos Surveys Inspect
  • What Does An Asbestos Survey In Duffield Examine?
  • What Quarndon Experts Check For With Their Site Inspection
  • Understanding What Coxbench Asbestos Surveys Inspect
  • What Breadsall Surveyors Check For During An Building Report
  • What Does An Asbestos Survey In Flaxholme Look For?