Asbestos is a naturally occurring material. Asbestos fibres are extremely strong and resistant to heat and chemicals; this has led to its use in a wide range of building materials and products.
Asbestos was once a wonder material, known for its properties of fire stopping as much as being a material that could be used to improve anything. Its most common uses are often its less hazardous, so floor tiles and textured coatings on ceilings, pre-1999 used asbestos as a filler in the material. The fibres are trapped within a matrix and unlikely to be a hazard unless disturbed by sanding, drilling or cutting.
Outbuildings may be constructed with asbestos cement sheets, these were also used for corrugated roof panels, and the same material was used in gutters and rainwater pipes. Many of these have now been removed, and the remaining materials would likely be damp so fiblesres are unlikely to be a major risk.
However some water storage tanks in a loft, boards in the eaves, or boards fitted to provide fire stopping may be the more hazardous insulation boards, these should not be disturbed until they have been tested. They are not normally accessible in the normal activities within the home.
If you are planning any DIY or improvements then you should seek our advice first.
It is vitally important for the safety of everyone in your home that before you carry out any alterations or improvements (including artex texture coatings, floor tile removal, sink alterations or changes to your home or garage roof) you seek permission from Great Places.
We have an asbestos register, so we can check our records first to see if there is any likelihood of asbestos-containing materials in your home.
Great Places is currently surveying many of our properties to identify any potential asbestos risks that may be present. We have an Asbestos Management Plan in place, which details how asbestos-containing materials will be managed to prevent exposure to airborne fibres.
By law, all non-domestic properties must have a survey carried out. Great Places has carried out asbestos surveys to all its communal areas. We have recorded the location of asbestos materials and, where needed, these have been removed or protected. Any asbestos materials left in place are re-inspected at regular intervals.
Keeping within set Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines and government policy, Great Places will leave any asbestos that is in good condition and is unlikely to be damaged, as it is safer to leave it where it is. Where there is a high risk, and asbestos has to be removed, we will use a specialist asbestos removal contractor.
If you think you may have damaged asbestos in your home, let Great Places know immediately.
If you don’t know whether something contains asbestos, call us on 0300 123 1966 and we will check our register. If we haven’t got a record, we can arrange to have the material professionally inspected and analysed and/or carry out a risk assessment.
