All you need to know about asbestos removal

There are few things homeowners dread more than discovering highly toxic asbestos in a home they plan to buy. It can be distressing and completely halt a home sale.

Once known as the ‘silent killer’, if mistakenly disturbed, asbestos is a serious health hazard. Thankfully, there are plenty of certified asbestos surveyors and licensed removal contractors who help with asbestos removal.

Use our planning guide to learn about the process of professionally removing asbestos and how to budget for this work.

The dangers of asbestos

Despite asbestos being banned for more than two decades, it still lies dormant in many UK homes built before the 1990s. In fact, it’s estimated that half of all residential homes in the UK have some asbestos-containing building materials present.

This may sound alarming, but asbestos is considered harmless if it’s in good condition and undisturbed.

However, it’s a danger when it’s moved or exposed as the small fibres become airborne and can be inhaled. Too small to see by the naked eye, these fibres lay dormant in the lungs for decades. Sadly, this can then lead to a range of fatal and debilitating diseases, including lung cancer.

Top tip – If you accidentally disturb asbestos in your home, never attempt to tidy it up yourself or hoover up fibres. This will only spread the fibres further. First and foremost, contact a professional asbestos removal specialist.

Where do you find asbestos?

Its strength and versatility mean asbestos was used in a range of different building materials before the 1990s ban. So, if your home was built during the last century, there’s a high chance asbestos may have been used.

While swirling Artex-coated ceilings or corrugated asbestos-lined garage roofs are easy to spot, other asbestos is much harder to find. The most notable places for asbestos to hide include:

• Roof tiles and corrugated roofing
• Wall panels
• Ceiling and floor tiles
• Gutters
• Pipe and boiler lagging
• Cement fireplace surrounds

Often, it’s only when a homeowner decides to make improvements or repair damage to their home, that asbestos is revealed.

So, how can you be certain if a home has asbestos? The only way to be sure is to pay for an asbestos survey. More on that next.

The importance of an asbestos survey

Your first step for the safe removal of asbestos is for a certificated surveyor to carry out a UKAS-accredited asbestos survey.

Taking samples from your home, an asbestos surveyor determines:

• The amount and location of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in the home
• The level of deterioration or damage of ACM
• The action required

How a professional helps

After the survey, it’s up to you to hire an asbestos removal contractor to carry out the work.

Remember, you should never attempt to remove asbestos yourself. Only a professional asbestos removal expert can carry out this dangerous job.

What levels of certification your removal specialist requires depends on the quantity of asbestos found:

• For large quantities deemed very hazardous, a licensed removal expert with an HSE certification is a must
• For non-licensed removal, a CSCS card is sufficient. Non-licensed removal jobs tend to be when the asbestos is in good condition and the removal only requires short, minor work

But regardless of the scale of asbestos, your contractor needs a Hazardous Waste Carriers license to dispose of the asbestos safely.

Top tip – For added peace of mind, ask your tradesperson if they are a member of the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association.

What’s the process for asbestos removal?

So, how does a contractor safely remove asbestos from your home? Let’s take this step by step:

1. Setting Up

• Your contractor seals off the area, if possible, where the removal is taking place to prevent asbestos fibres from spreading
• Removal workers wear PPE equipment, including respirators, disposable coveralls, gloves, and safety goggles
• The removers designate an area to safely remove contaminated PPE equipment

2. Removal

• Contractors apply a water-based solution to the asbestos to reduce the release of fibres during the removal
• The asbestos is sealed within bags designed for asbestos waste, with removal experts taking care to avoid breaking the asbestos to reduce the release of hazardous fibres

3. Decontamination post removal

• Removal experts use specialist filter vacuum cleaners to clean the work area thoroughly
• They also wipe down surfaces to remove any remaining asbestos dust

4. Disposal

• Removal experts take the sealed asbestos waste to an approved disposal site with the appropriate removal license

5. Final inspection

• Following a final inspection, a clearance certificate confirming the area is free of asbestos is issued
• Your removal expert may also conduct an air test to monitor potential asbestos particles in the air

Top tip – You may need to move out of the home while the removal takes place, depending on the scale of asbestos found. So make sure to factor this into your planning.

Costs of asbestos removal

An asbestos removal survey costs in the region of £200-£1,000 (depending on the size of the property).

Meanwhile, the average asbestos removal price in the UK is around £1,750 per m².

Look into all the costs involved in our in-depth asbestos removal cost guide.

Top tip – It’s worth contacting your local council to see if they offer reduced rates for asbestos removal.

Tips for hiring a professional

With hundreds of licensed asbestos removal firms in the UK, deciding who to hire can be confusing. Along with making sure they have the correct licenses (as mentioned above), you can follow these three simple steps:

• Use a professional directory

Speed up the hiring process by searching with a professional directory (like Checkatrade!).

We’re so confident in the quality of the trades on Checkatrade that if you book through us, we guarantee their work up to £1,000. Guaranteed for 12 months – Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.

We also make sure all our Checkatrade members have up-to-date public liability insurance for your added peace of mind.

Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*

* Eligibility and T&Cs apply

• Read online reviews

Always check to see what other homeowners have to say about a tradesperson before hiring them.

At Checkatrade, we check all online reviews to ensure they’re from real people and that trades meet our high standards.

On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.

• Compare quotes

It’s always wise to get at least three quotes from reputable professionals. That way, you can be sure you’re not overpaying for the work.

Ready to find an experienced asbestos removal contractor near you? Simply add your postcode to the box below.