What is asbestos removal?
Asbestos removal is the process of removing asbestos containing materials (ACMs) from a building or structure. It is an industry that has gradually built up since asbestos started being abolished from the end of the 70s. In recent times the industry has become particularly big because of the introduction of legislation meaning that landlords (dutyholders) need to identify and manage asbestos in their properties.
Licensed contractors
Asbestos contractors in the UK are heavily legislated and monitored to ensure that workers are not exposed to the dangerous fibres that are released during removal. This applies, in particular, to handling high-risk materials such as thermal insulation and those containing Amosite and Crocidolite fibres. In these instances the operator requires a special license granted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Lower risk products such as cement sheeting, Artex and floor tiles do not normally fall into this category but it should be noted that legislation is very complex.
Licensed contractors are required to use very strict removal methods aimed at reducing exposure to fibres. These include, but are not limited to, sealing off the area using timber and polythene enclosures, wearing full breathing equipment, specialised decontamination equipment, wearing of disposable clothing and use of a sealed special waste skip.
Removal costs
These special methods mean that removal of high-risk products is often a costly affair. Indeed, abatement in some very large buildings (such as hospitals and power stations) can often run into millions. In smaller premises, such as homes and offices, removal costs will start a couple of hundred pounds for a garden shed roof upto a few thousand for removal of an insulation board garage ceiling. The cost is ultimately dicated by how much material needs to be removed, how easy it is to prevent the spread of fibres and how accesible the area is. So, for an example, removing packing from under a floor would be very expensive but taking down a ceiling in an empty room would be far cheaper.
Getting a removal quote
Given the factors that we outlined above a removal contractor would always prefer to visit the property to see for themself what is likely to be involved before they provide a quote. This is normally a free process but if you haven't already had the suspect material analysed the contractor will often take a sample for analysis. THIS IS NOT FREE. In fact, contractors will often charge over £100 for sample analysis so always ask the question.
We have teamed up with a number of local licensed removal companies to provide you with asbestos removal quotes. If you would like to get a quote just fill out the form on the right.
Preparing the area for removal
It is important that you only prepare the area if it is safe to do so without exposing yourself to asbestos fibres. It is important to remove anything that can be contaminated by microscopic fibres. Your objective is to get the area as close as possible to its original state. So, for example, if the work being carried out is in the garage you should remove everything, including temporary floor coverings. If the area is carpeted it is better to remove it although your contractor may be able to provide a protective covering.
Removing your own asbestos
Removing low-risk asbestos products is reasonably safe to do as long as you are a practical sort of person. By low-risk, we are referring to asbestos cement roof sheets, panels and water goods. The main thing to bear in mind is that your objective is to protect yourself from exposure to fibres and you can achieve this following these basic rules
- Always wet down the material to prevent fibre release
- Minimalise breakage and NEVER scrape or sand asbestos materials
- Wear a disposable half-mask
- Always DOUBLE bag the waste in thick polythene sacks (recycling centres will insist upon this)
- Wear paper coveralls during the process and dispose of them in the waste bags
While floor tiles and textured coatings, such as Artex, are low risk products, they are far riskier to remove yourself as the process normally involves alot of scraping. We would always recommend using a contractor to remove these products. If you do it yourself bear in mind that you will normally contaminate the containing room and you should take steps to decontaminate the area afterwards (ie hiring and using a specialised HVAC vacuum cleaner).
Removing high-risk asbestos materials (asbestos insulation board, sprayed coating, packing, pipe insulation or lagging, etc) should never be attempted by anyone other than a professional. Removing high-risk asbestos from your own home isn't strictly illegal (as long as you don't employ anyone to help you) but it is HIGHLY dangerous and the waste can only be transported by a licensed asbestos waste carrier.