Immediate Steps To Take If You Find Asbestos In Your Home

Although asbestos has long been a banned substance in the UK, it can still be uncovered in older homes, commercial buildings and industrial sites. In domestic properties, it is most commonly found in loft or roof insulation, where this might be uncovered as you retrofit your building or begin an extension project.

Asbestos-containing materials can be incredibly dangerous for both human health and the environment. This is because these materials can release small but highly durable fibres into the air that can then be inhaled, leading to a range of serious respiratory problems. As such, it is essential to take appropriate precautions if you uncover asbestos materials in your home.

Read on to find out more about some of the immediate steps you should take to protect yourself and your household.

1. Leave The Material Untouched

If you discover asbestos in your home, then it is essential that you leave it undisturbed. Touching or attempting to move the material yourself can release more and more harmful fibres into the air, making a dangerous situation an even more perilous one. You should also never attempt a DIY removal, as this should only be undertaken by a professional team.

2. Isolate The Area & Evacuate

Try to isolate the asbestos containing area if you are able to do so without interacting with the material itself. Close any interior doors that will block off access to the contaminated site, or seal the space shut with a plastic sheet. Above all, your priority should be to evacuate the area as soon as possible, where you should prevent anyone from entering the building.

3. Notify Relevant Parties

Once the area is sealed off, it is your responsibility to notify the relevant parties. This includes neighbours, building managers or your landlord. City regulations may also specify that you need to notify your local council, where they may then have their own procedures in place that you need to follow.

4. Contact An Asbestos Professional

If you have uncovered asbestos in your home, then it is vital that you get in touch with a professional service in order to make sure that the toxic materials are handled safely. An asbestos removal team will help you to seal off your site, where they will then conduct a thorough inspection and put in place an official removal or encapsulation plan.

Gowrie Contracts: Professional Asbestos Removal In Aberdeen

At Gowrie Contracts, we’re on hand to provide you with emergency asbestos support if you’ve uncovered any toxic materials in your home. Our asbestos experts can offer comprehensive removal and building strip-out solutions to help make your property safe, where we can also provide in depth land remediation advice.

Get in touch with us today to find out more about our full range of asbestos services.