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Iceni Magazine | February 8, 2025

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What to Do If You Find Asbestos in Your Home

What to Do If You Find Asbestos in Your Home

You’ve been there. Or you know someone who has. That strange phase before a renovation begins – equal parts of excitement and apprehension.

You gather nails, hammers, rolls of painter’s tape, a bucket of paint, and protective coverings to shield the furniture. Everything feels ready. You’ve got it all under control. Nothing can go wrong, right? But lurking beneath all that activity is an invisible hazard: asbestos.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of thin, heat-resistant fibres. It was once hailed as a “miracle material” due to its strength, durability, and resistance to heat, fire, and chemicals. Because of these properties, this mineral was widely used in construction, shipbuilding, automotive manufacturing, and even household products throughout most of the 20th century.

However, while the substance might have been useful for insulation and fireproofing, it also poses a serious risk to human health. When disturbed—through renovations, demolitions, or natural deterioration—asbestos fibres become airborne and can be easily inhaled.

Once breathed in, they can become embedded in lung tissue, causing chronic inflammation and scarring. Over time, this can lead to serious and often fatal illnesses, including:

  • Mesothelioma – A rare and aggressive cancer of the lung lining, almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.
  • Asbestosis – A chronic disease that causes scarring of lung tissue, leading to breathing difficulties.
  • Lung Cancer – Exposure to asbestos significantly raises the likelihood of lung cancer, particularly among individuals who smoke.
  • Pleural Thickening – The lung lining becomes thick and stiff, causing chest pain.

Although its use has been restricted or banned in many countries, it remains present in older buildings and can pose a risk if not properly managed.

Many individuals, particularly those who worked in high-risk industries like construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing, were unknowingly exposed for years. As a result, there has been a notable trend in legal cases seeking compensation for asbestos-related deaths, with families holding employers accountable for failing to protect workers from this hidden danger.

How to Detect Asbestos

While you can’t confirm the presence of asbestos just by looking, certain materials and construction features are known for containing the mineral. Common warning signs include:

  1. Age of the Building – If your property was built before the 1990s, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were likely used.
  2. Textured Coatings (Artex Ceilings & Walls) – These decorative finishes were commonly mixed with asbestos.
  3. Old Flooring (Vinyl Tiles & Adhesives) – Many older vinyl and linoleum floors have asbestos in the backing or glue.
  4. Cement Boards & Pipes – Flat, corrugated, or pipe cement in older homes or commercial buildings often contained asbestos.
  5. Roofing Materials – Asbestos cement was frequently used in roofing sheets, tiles, and insulation.
  6. Boilers & Heating Insulation – Older boilers, hot water pipes, and furnace insulation may contain asbestos lagging.

If your home has any of these materials and they appear damaged or deteriorating, it’s time to take action.

Steps to Take If You Find Asbestos When Renovating

If you come across materials that you suspect contain hazardous fibres, do not attempt to remove or disturb them. The real danger arises when these fibres become airborne, increasing the risk of inhalation. The safest approach is to leave everything untouched until a professional can assess the situation.

If you’re in the middle of a renovation or demolition, stop all work immediately. Any drilling, cutting, sanding, or breaking of questionable materials can release harmful particles into the air, making the environment unsafe. Instead of taking any risks, contact a licensed surveyor who specialises in identifying and managing hazardous building components. They will inspect the site, take samples if necessary, and provide expert advice on whether removal or containment is the best course of action.

Should removal be required, ensure that all procedures comply with government safety regulations. Many countries have strict laws surrounding the handling and disposal of these materials to protect both workers and residents. Only certified professionals should carry out the work, using specialised equipment and safety protocols to prevent contamination.

Asbestos may be a relic of the past, but its risks are very much present today.

What This Means for Your Home Renovation

When you’re knee-deep in a home renovation, the last thing you want to deal with is an unexpected hazard. Unfortunately, asbestos remains a hidden danger in many older properties.

The good news? Awareness and the right steps can prevent unnecessary exposure. By knowing where to look, calling in experts when needed, and following proper safety measures, you can protect yourself and your family.

While discovering asbestos may throw a spanner in the works of your renovation plans, handling it correctly ensures a safer, healthier home in the long run.


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