
Prior to the mid-1980s, asbestos was a common material used within the construction industry. Despite it not being used since the 1980s, there are still a number of places where the material is commonly found, as its use was so prolific.
Because of the dangers of asbestos, there are strict processes that need to be followed when removing and disposing of it. The best way to be prepared to deal with asbestos, is to know where you are most likely to find it. This way you can put preventative measures in place to protect yourself and quickly arrange for a licensed asbestos removal company to deal with it.
At Jade Aden Services, we offer a fully licensed asbestos removal service where we can complete thorough asbestos surveys and compliant removal and disposals.
In this post, we discuss where you are most likely to come across asbestos in your construction and renovation.
Roofing Materials
Within commercial and residential buildings, asbestos was commonly used in roofing materials such as roof shingles, corrugated sheets, and roof coatings. This was because of its insulating and fireproof properties.
Insulation
Asbestos provides thermal and acoustic insulation, which meant that it was frequently chosen to insulate buildings.
Therefore, it is often found in wall cavities. In particular, within a commercial building, it is found in boiler rooms, mechanical rooms or air handling rooms.
Ceiling Tiles
Commercial buildings were often constructed with asbestos-containing ceiling tiles.
The material offered fire resistance, meaning that the spread of fire between floors was slower, giving those working within the building more chance of evacuating.
Suspended ceilings in offices, corridors, and common areas may still contain asbestos, especially if they were installed before the 1980s.
Flooring Materials
Asbestos was added to a variety of flooring materials, including vinyl floor tiles, linoleum flooring, and asphalt floor tiles to add strength, durability, and heat resistance.
This was particularly common in high-traffic areas such as receptions, corridors or utility rooms.
Wallboard and Drywall
Where fireproofing or insulation was needed, such as stairwells or mechanical rooms, asbestos was sometimes added to wallboard, drywall joint compound, and plaster.
Nowadays, asbestos-containing material is still sometimes found in older commercial buildings.
Wall Cladding and Textured Coatings
Wall cladding is still a common addition to many commercial buildings because it protects the structure from the elements.
Before the 1980s, cladding and other textured coatings and paints were used because they added decorative elements with the benefit of fireproofing and some insulation.
Pipes and Ductwork
Asbestos insulation was commonly used to wrap pipes, boilers, and HVAC ductwork in commercial buildings.
Some old pipe insulation may still have the original insulation materials surrounding it, which could contain asbestos. Basements, mechanical rooms and utility tunnels are areas where this is usually the case.
What to Do if You Suspect Asbestos Presence
If you suspect that you might have asbestos present in the area that you are renovating or removing, you will need to contact a licenced asbestos company, such as Jade Aden Services.
We will send a member of our team to survey your property, where we will analyse samples of the material and provide a report which details the type of asbestos present.
With this information, we will discuss how easy it will be to remove the material and the process that will be needed to remain compliant and safe when doing so.
As an experienced and trusted asbestos removal service, we provide a comprehensive service from initial site surveys to the removal and disposal of asbestos-filled materials.
Speak to us to learn more about whether you might have asbestos in your building and discover how our services can help. Our team are experts and are always happy to help where possible.
Call us on 01202 622252 or complete our online enquiry form.