What is asbestos? - Tai Calon

Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals. Due to its strength and fire resistance Asbestos was used in a wide range of building materials and products.

Asbestos can be found in any house or building built or refurbished before the year 2000 as it was widely used in a variety of building materials.

Possible places you might find asbestos in your home include:

1. Asbestos cement product 2. Water Tank 3. House insulation 4. Pipe lagging 5. Guttering 6. Soffit boards (roof overhang) 7. Wall panelling 8. Toilet cistern 9. Bath panel 10. Fuse box 11. Textured Coatings (e.g. Artex) 12. Boiler house 13. Rainwater pipes 14. Vinyl floor tiles

If asbestos materials are in good condition and in a place where they are unlikely to be disturbed then they should not cause any harm. It is only when the materials are damaged or disturbed, so that fibres are released, that asbestos can become a danger.

Why is Asbestos Dangerous?

When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air. When these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases. These diseases will not affect you immediately; they often take a long time to develop, but once diagnosed, it is often too late to do anything

Dos and Don’ts:

Do leave asbestos materials where they are if they are in good condition and cannot be damaged ✅
Do not work with, damage or remove materials that you know, or think might contain asbestos ❌
Do not rub down or sand a product that you know, or think might contain asbestos such as Artex ❌
Do not drill through an asbestos product – this will release fibres ❌
Do not break off pieces from materials likely to contain asbestos ❌

You must not carry out any structural alterations without our written permission

If you are unsure if a product in your home contains asbestos, or an area of your home becomes damaged, please contact us immediately on 0300 303 1717.