Asbestos is still present in an estimated 1.5 million buildings across the UK – homes, schools, offices and commercial properties built or refurbished before 2000. Most people know it’s harmful, but there’s a lot of confusion about exactly how dangerous it is, when it poses a real risk, and what you should do if you think you’ve found it.
What makes asbestos dangerous?
Asbestos is not found in its pure raw form in buildings – it’s always mixed into composite materials such as ceiling tiles, roof panels, insulation board and floor coverings. Over time, the materials that contain it can deteriorate, and it’s this deterioration that creates risk. Even without any disturbance, asbestos-containing materials can degrade on their own, particularly in older properties.
The real danger comes when these materials are damaged, drilled, cut or disturbed – either by deterioration or by building work. This releases tiny fibres into the air that are invisible to the naked eye and can be inhaled without you knowing. Once inside the lungs, these fibres can cause serious and sometimes fatal diseases including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. Symptoms often don’t appear until decades after exposure, meaning damage can be advanced before anyone realises.
So, can you just leave it alone?
Not really. Asbestos that is in good condition and genuinely undisturbed does not pose an immediate risk. However, because the surrounding materials deteriorate over time, it does need to be monitored and reviewed on a regular basis. The frequency of that review depends entirely on where the asbestos is and what condition it’s in.
Asbestos in a high footfall area – say, an insulation board next to a door that gets knocked regularly – may need inspecting very frequently. Asbestos in a garage roof that nobody disturbs could be reviewed once a year. Every situation is different, which is why a professional assessment is essential. The rule of thumb is: if you have asbestos, it needs reviewing. How often depends on the specific circumstances.
Where is asbestos commonly found?
In the UK, asbestos was used extensively in construction materials until it was fully banned in 1999. If your property was built or had significant work done before 2000, there’s a real chance it contains asbestos somewhere. Common locations include artex ceilings, floor tiles, roof panels, pipe lagging, partition walls, and insulation around boilers and heating systems. It’s also frequently found in garages, outbuildings and extensions.
The material isn’t always obvious. Asbestos was mixed into many everyday building products, so it can be impossible to identify by sight alone.
Who is most at risk?
Tradespeople carry the highest risk because they regularly disturb building materials as part of their work. But homeowners carrying out DIY renovations are increasingly at risk too; particularly as older properties change hands and new owners start making improvements without knowing what materials they’re working with.
Landlords also have a legal duty to manage asbestos in their properties and protect tenants from exposure. Anyone planning building or renovation work on a property built before 2000 should treat asbestos as a serious consideration before work begins – not an afterthought.
What should you do if you think you’ve found asbestos?
The most important rule is simple: don’t touch it. If you suspect a material contains asbestos, especially if it’s damaged or you’re about to carry out work nearby, stop and get it assessed by a qualified professional. A surveyor will take samples for laboratory analysis, confirm whether asbestos is present, and advise on the safest course of action.
In some cases, if the material is in good condition, the recommendation will be to leave it in place and manage it with regular reviews rather than remove it. What matters most is knowing exactly what you’re dealing with – and having a plan.
SE Asbestos Surveys carries out management and refurbishment surveys across London & the South East – Kent, Surrey, Essex, Hertfordshire and East Sussex. Call 07872 054963 for a free no-obligation quote or get in touch online.
