If you know that your garage was built any time before 1999, there is a good chance that it might contain asbestos, whether in its foundations or building materials.
Due to the versatility and benefits of using asbestos in building materials, the substance was utilised widely in the UK in the past but has since been banned from many countries due to its properties and the health hazards that it brings.
This doesn’t mean that you are in immediate danger if asbestos is found on your property, but it may pose a threat to your health if it is in poor condition or gets disturbed.
Call an asbestos surveyor
You do not want to try to diagnose your own home with asbestos, as it can be mixed into many materials and may be harder to identify than you think. You might think that it seems fine and might not pose a threat to your health, but you will never truly know unless you have an asbestos surveyor check it for you. It is better to be safe than sorry, which is why hiring a professional asbestos surveyor to come and perform a survey of your home is the safest option.
If asbestos is found
Some homeowners might panic, thinking that this is a huge hazard and that they are in immediate danger. However, sometimes the asbestos might be in a condition where it remained undisturbed, it may pose no threat at all. It is important that you take a measured approach to ensure your safety.
If your asbestos specialist says that they found the material during their survey, they will be able to recommend the next course of action for you. Do not assume that you can simply remove the material yourself, especially if you’re not experienced in working with asbestos, as you can be putting yourself in more danger by attempting to remove it.
You should call in the professionals to have it removed if your asbestos specialist said that it needs to be removed after your survey has been completed. Otherwise, in some cases, it can just be left alone without causing any safety or health hazards.
When removal is needed
If you’ve called a specialist to inspect and survey your garage, they might tell you that the asbestos needs removing. Although you are not legally required to hire a licensed contractor, we strongly suggest that you do not attempt to remove the asbestos yourself.
It is a hard, time-consuming, and a very dangerous task because the asbestos should be removed in a way that will not release fibres, which will cause health problems when they are breathed in. There can also be a huge and serious risk if the concrete is eroded during the process of removal. Because there are so many things that go into removing it and the process can be a hazard to your health, it is highly recommended that you hire a licensed contractor who is experienced and is a professional in removing asbestos so that you do not have to do it or put yourself at risk.
Allium provides asbestos surveying & removal services – get in touch today to see how we can help.
