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. Understanding how it works ensures you're ready for what comes next.
In this article, we'll explain what your Tideswell 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. ACMs may remain in homes constructed prior to the year 2000.
During the survey, professionals will:
Find and map out where ACMs exist.
Assess their condition.
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
A typical asbestos survey includes checks for the following:
Frequent ACMs Inspected in Domestic Properties
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
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
Material Integrity Assessment
Each material's condition is documented. Fragile or deteriorated materials, particularly friable types, carry increased danger. 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. Bathroom panelling may be affected by upgrades, while loft tiles may stay undisturbed.
Are Samples Taken?
In most cases, yes. Surveyors often take controlled samples to confirm if asbestos is present. Testing reveals:
The presence of asbestos fibres.
The type of asbestos (e.g. chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite).
How much asbestos is present.
Sampling is carried out with care to avoid contamination.
Types of Survey and What They Cover
The depth of the survey depends on its purpose:
Management Survey
Identifies materials that might be affected during standard use of the property.
Usually requires little disturbance to the building fabric.
Suitable for landlords managing communal areas in rented housing or cautious homeowners wanting peace of mind.
Pre-Construction ACM Inspection
Required before any significant renovation or demolition work.
Extensive as it often requires accessing hidden areas.
Ensures that no asbestos is accidentally disturbed during works.
What Happens After the Survey?
After the inspection, a comprehensive report is issued. It contains:
A register of all identified ACMs.
Images and positions of each ACM.
Evaluations of condition and associated risk.
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. Lower risk materials might just need sealing or occasional checks.
Key Takeaway
Surveys are about more than just finding asbestos in Tideswell-they provide essential risk assessments and action plans. Renovating or letting an older home? A survey should be on your checklist.
If you'd like advice on booking a survey or understanding your results, get in touch with a qualified asbestos professional. We're here to help you navigate the process safely and confidently.
We've got more information on asbestos and ACMs for Tideswell residents on the site here:
- What Does An Asbestos Survey In Tideswell Inspect?
- Locating Reputable Asbestos Disposal Businesses in Tideswell
- Where To Look For Asbestos In Tideswell Homes
We also cover more of the local Derbyshire area too:
