If you live in a house that was built before the year 2000, there’s a decent chance you’ve got asbestos somewhere in your home. And no, that’s not meant to scare you, but it is something you should probably know about.
Asbestos is basically a group of naturally occurring minerals that were absolutely everywhere in building materials for decades. The stuff was brilliant for construction really, it was fireproof, cheap as chips, and brilliant at insulating. Which is exactly why builders loved it and used it in pretty much everything from the 1950s right through to 1999 when it was finally banned.
So What’s the Problem?
The issue? When asbestos materials get damaged or disturbed, they release tiny fibres into the air that you can’t even see. Breathe those in and they get stuck in your lungs, and that’s when the real problems start. We’re talking about serious health conditions like mesothelioma and asbestosis, diseases which can take decades to show up but are devastating when they do. You’d be surprised at the number of properties asbestos still lurks in today. Companies like Asbestos Gone deal with this stuff every single day constantly surveying and removing asbestos from older buildings.
What Should You Do About It?
If your house was built or renovated before 1999, it’s worth getting a survey done from trusted firms like Acorn Analytical Services. Especially if you’re planning any renovation work. The key thing is not to panic though, undisturbed asbestos that’s in good condition isn’t actually dangerous. It’s only when you start drilling into it, breaking it up, or it starts deteriorating that you’ve got a problem on your hands.
The Bottom Line
Asbestos was banned over two decades ago, but it’s still very much a present-day issue for homeowners across the UK. If you suspect you might have it, don’t try and deal with it yourself. Get specialists like Crucial Environmental who know what they’re doing, because this is one DIY job you definitely don’t want to tackle on your own. Better safe than sorry.
