asbestos

Why worry about asbestos in the home?

If your property is more than 15 years old, it is possible that it contains materials made from asbestos.

Common locations are listed below but there may be others in your home - so if in doubt leave well alone and contact us on the details below.

This advice is aimed at householders. The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) have produced a number of leaflets which are more appropriate for businesses.

Common locations of asbestos:

asbestos cement on garage or shed roofs.
asbestos cement shed and garage wall panels.
asbestos cement drain pipes.
asbestos cement or insulation board soffit, infill panels and partitions.
asbestos cement on the side of bath panels.

If your home is rented, your landlord may have relevant information.

What to do if you have asbestos in your home

The general rule is to always leave asbestos alone – it is usually safe unless it is damaged or disturbed. If the asbestos is breaking up, the Council will serve a notice on the owner-occupier to remove it. If the asbestos is not removed, the Council will undertake the work in default. The owner-occupier will be charged the contract cost plus establishment charges of 30%.

For information about asbestos collection services, check out the Council's website.

The Corporation of London offers a limited free asbestos collection service for householders, provided the asbestos is bagged up. For further information contact the Corporation of London on 020 7332 3433 or visit the Corporation of London website.

Asbestos do's and don'ts

Don't panic if you think you have asbestos in your home - it's usually only a problem if it's disturbed or damaged.
Do treat asbestos with respect.
Don't drill, saw or disturb materials that contain asbestos.
Do seek advice if you think you've got a problem with asbestos in your home.

Contact

For more information contact us on 0800 195 3404 or take a look at our Your Guide to Asbestos leaflet.

Where can I get further information on asbestos?

The following links will provide further information and advice on asbestos.

This page belongs to the following categories :
- Business > Health and safety