Asbestos Removal Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Have a question about our asbestos services? Our experts are here to help by answering some of our frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Frequently Asked Questions about our asbestos services
Managing asbestos can be a daunting task and we often hear a few of the same questions time and time again from our clients, both new and existing. So, we have gathered some frequently asked questions about asbestos and our asbestos services here. If you have a question we have not answered on this page, do get in touch with our team of asbestos experts who will be more than happy to answer your query.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. It is most often found within ultramafic rocks. The amount of asbestos found within these rocks can vary drastically, averaging anywhere between 5% and 25%.
How likely is it that my property contains asbestos?
This will depend on when your property was built. If your property was built before the year 2000, the chances that it contains asbestos is much higher than if your property was built after this year. That is because use, import, export or sale of any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) was banned in the UK in 1999.
What types of asbestos are there?
Before the 1999 bans, there were three main types of asbestos in use. These included:
- Chrysotile (White Asbestos)
- Amosite (Brown Asbestos)
- Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos)
Each type offered its own unique properties and it was white asbestos which was last to be banned.
There are three other types of asbestos which were used, these are Actinolite, Tremolite and Antholite. Although known types of asbestos these are less likely to be found within the UK.
What services do Reddish Vale offer?
Here at Reddish Vale we offer a range of services to aid with the safe management of hazardous materials, namely asbestos and lead. We offer thorough and detailed asbestos surveys and can carry out reliable asbestos remediation works or full asbestos removal works, depending on the requirements of the job. In addition, we offer lead-based paint testing and removal services, soft strip demolitions and also anthrax sampling and testing.
What is involved in asbestos remediation?
If removal is not needed, for example ACMs are present but in good condition with minor repairs required, remediation may be the best course of action. As the name suggests this involved providing a remedy for the asbestos, for example encapsulation or repair works.
We delve into the details of asbestos in our blog here.
What accreditations do Reddish Vale hold?
We are proudly accredited by a number of governing bodies within the asbestos removal industry, which demonstrates our commitment to good practices for safe and efficient removal works. These include:
I think there is asbestos in my property. What should I do?
If you think there are asbestos-containing materials in your property, it is important that you do not try and remove it yourself. The best course of action is to leave the asbestos in situ and call a professional asbestos contractor to provide expert advice and support.
Where are you based and what areas do you cover?
With offices in Oldham (Greater Manchester), Lytham (Lancashire), Birmingham (Midlands), and Leeds (Yorkshire), our teams can cover nationwide. No matter where your property is located, we can help!
What is soft strip demolition?
Soft Strip Demolition refers to the process undertaken before the refurbishment, demolition or re-modelling works of a building. It involves removing all non-structural elements, both inside and outside of the building, in order to facilitate the imminent re-construction that is going to take place.
Here at Reddish Vale, we can undertake non-mechanical soft strip demolition as a standalone project for both domestic and commercial properties, or deliver the service as part of one of our tailored asbestos survey, remediation, or removal packages.
How is soft strip demolition waste disposed of?
As ISO14001 UKAS accredited practitioners, we take the eco-friendliness and sustainability of our services very seriously. To minimise our impact on landfill, we aim to recycle as much of the waste we generate as possible. Meaning we always create site-specific waste management plans in advance of any soft strip demolition works, unique to each individual project, which provide detailed documentation for the disposal of construction waste.
What danger does asbestos pose?
If asbestos fibres are inhaled or ingested, it can cause many serious health issues. Most notably, mesothelioma (a type of cancer) is heavily associated with asbestos exposure. It is also linked with other types of cancer, including those in the lungs, chest, ovaries, stomach and colon. Asbestosis can also occur after heavy, prolonged exposure to asbestos containing materials. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue and chest pain.
Is asbestos legal in the UK?
The use of any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) is illegal in the UK. The UK has a long history with the banning of asbestos, as the government implemented a variety of voluntary bans spanning several decades, up until 1999 when the import, supply and use of asbestos in the UK was banned for good.
Who has a ‘duty to manage’ asbestos?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that the ‘Dutyholder’ is responsible for the monitoring, remediation or removal of any asbestos materials found within their property. The Dutyholder will vary depending on the type of property. The HSE states that:
“The dutyholder is the owner of the non-domestic premises or the person or organisation that has clear responsibility for the maintenance or repair”
What is involved in asbestos removal?
Once a survey has been undertaken and removal has been deemed the best course of action, our team will begin the process of safely removing any identified ACMs in the property.
For some types of asbestos, such as asbestos insulation board, spray coatings, asbestos insulation (for example pipe lagging), an airtight enclosure will be created using timber and polythene. The purpose of this is to contain the amount of harmful fibres and avoid them being released into the environment.
After the asbestos has been removed, the waste will be securely disposed of and the remaining areas will be cleaned to remove any remaining residues.
Once the asbestos removal works have been completed, an independent UKAS-accredited inspection company will undertake visual examinations of the area, alongside air testing and monitoring to ensure a safe environment.
How do you identify asbestos?
There is no definitive way to identify asbestos containing items, without taking a sample and sending this to a UKAS accredited lab for confirmations. There are certain items which may be more likely to contain asbestos such as corrugated cement sheeting or pipe insulation. However, the best and safest way to identify asbestos is to have a professional asbestos survey/ sampling undertaken.
How can I contact you?
There are a few ways you can get in touch with our team:
How much does asbestos removal cost?
Many factors will influence asbestos removal cost, for example the size of your building, if the removal needs to take place outside of working hours and if specialist equipment is required. The best way to get an accurate cost of your removal project is to get in touch with our team.
Do I need soft strip demolition?
If your building has either current refurbishment/demolition works occurring, or has them planned for the future, you need soft strip demolition.
It is especially required if the process has been recommended as the next step after one of our asbestos services has been provided for your building. According to The Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012, the dutyholder is responsible for ensuring the risk of asbestos exposure within their premises is addressed. This is where we come in – we can help keep you compliant with the latest asbestos regulations, as well as keep you and all users of your building safe.
What does soft strip demolition involve?
- Removal of fixtures & fittings
- Removal of internal walls & ceilings
- Removal of temporary fixtures
- Removal of floor coverings
- Removal of M&E fixtures
- Facilitation of new structural openings
Need additional support and expert advice?
Our team are always on hand to help! If you require help and advice for any asbestos-related issues, or otherwise, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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