Asbestos Removal London, Safe & Legal

In London, as with many other older cities, properties built or refurbished before the year 2000 may contain asbestos. Asbestos was widely used for its heat-resistant and insulating properties until its harmful health effects became well-known. London properties, both residential and commercial, might contain asbestos in the following places:

1. Ceilings: Artex or other textured coatings often contained asbestos fibers.
2. Floor Tiles: Vinyl and linoleum tiles, as well as the adhesive used to stick them down, sometimes contained asbestos.
3. Pipe Lagging: Asbestos was frequently used to insulate pipes because of its heat-resistant qualities.
4. Asbestos Cement: This was used for a range of purposes, including corrugated roofing sheets, gutters, downpipes, and flues.
5. Boiler and Heating Flues: Asbestos might be present in the insulation or the actual flue lining.
6. Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB): This material was commonly used for fire protection, thermal insulation, and partitioning. It might be present in walls, ceilings, or as door panels, particularly in buildings like schools.
7. Sprayed Coatings: Some ceilings, walls, or beams/columns had asbestos sprayed on them for fire protection.
8. Toilet Cisterns: Older cisterns can sometimes be made of asbestos-reinforced materials.
9. Fireproofing Materials: Asbestos might be found in fire blankets, fire curtains, or other fire-resistant materials.
10. Loft Insulation: Some older types of insulation, like loose-fill insulation, could contain asbestos.
11. Window Seals and Caulking: Older properties might have asbestos-containing materials around windows.
12. Electrical Panels: Asbestos was often used as an insulating material around electrical components due to its non-conductive nature.
13. Gaskets and Rope Seals: Found in stoves, boilers, and other heat-producing equipment.
14. Wall Panels: Especially in areas like bathrooms and kitchens, where waterproof or fire-resistant panels might have been desired.
15. Decorative Plaster: Certain types of decorative plaster and moldings contained asbestos for added strength.

It’s essential to note that the mere presence of asbestos in a property doesn’t pose an immediate threat. The danger arises when these materials are damaged or disturbed, releasing asbestos fibers into the air, which can be inhaled. If property owners in London suspect the presence of asbestos, they should hire professionals for a survey and potential removal, rather than attempting to handle or remove these materials themselves for asbestos removal in London.