Property Press Online

Over the last few years, home renovation has just got more and more popular. In 2021, for instance, more than 50% of UK homeowners renovated their house, with the total spend on home renovation surging by 36% in 2022.

The trend seems to be charged by young people, with 92% of those renovating being between the ages of 25 to 34. But there is a danger in this.

As more and more people decide to renovate their houses – whether it be a full renovation or a small renovation – the more likely it is that asbestos unawareness causes real harm.

Asbestos is one of the most crucial things to be aware of when renovating a building, but even in the building industry, its dangers are not always known.

According to a recent study, 11% of building industry workers are unaware of asbestos risks, which means that many more homeowners will similarly be unaware.

The Risk Of Asbestos

The three main forms of asbestos are crocidolite, amosite and chrysotile, any of which might be present in the original construction of your home and should be removed professionally – visit abruss.co.uk for more details.

This is because asbestos was a widely used fibre in the 20th century, with the government only fully banning its use in 1999 – which is the reason people view the cut-off date as anything before 2000. Asbestos can be present in anything from walls to flooring, roofing, and insulation.

Whilst undisturbed, the risk is very small. But if it is disturbed – during a renovation project, for instance – then the asbestos has the ability to devolve into microscopic fibres that can remain airborne for days.

If inhaled, the health risks of asbestos include cancer, asbestosis, mesothelioma and scarring of the lung lining.

Recognising Asbestos

It is a serious problem, and identifying it should be approached sensibly. Before carrying out your renovation project, the first thing you should do is determine when your home or any extensions were constructed.

As mentioned before, asbestos was widely used as a 20th-century construction material, which makes it likely that your building contains asbestos if it was built between those dates.

Outside of this, other ways to recognise asbestos include looking for signs of wear and tear in older materials, for instance:

• Disintegrating Pipes
• Insulation
• Walls
• Ceilings
• Tiles
• Vinyl Flooring
• Stove Pads

Asbestos may have been used in a number of materials in your home, so look for signs of old age, cracks, dusty areas and spots where the material is breaking down.

Hire A Professional Company

While the last few points can be helpful in recognising asbestos, if you think there is a chance your home might have asbestos, the only thing you should do is hire a professional asbestos removal company.

Not only will they be able to adequately test the home, but they can then ensure that the asbestos is removed safely and responsibly, without risks to your own health.

Everyone should be able to complete their dream renovation project, but it’s essential that you follow the necessary safety precautions first.