First, let's talk about asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in building materials in the 20th century. It was valued for its heat resistance, durability, and fireproofing properties, which made it a popular material for insulation, roofing, flooring, cement, and more. However, it was later discovered that exposure to asbestos can cause serious health problems such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. These asbestos-related diseases have a long latency period (up to 50 years), meaning that symptoms may not show up until decades after exposure.

Asbestos is dangerous when it is disturbed or damaged, such as during renovations, repairs, or demolition of a building. When fibers are released into the air, they can be inhaled and lodged in the lungs, where they can cause damage over time. That's why it's crucial to have a professional asbestos survey conducted on your property to determine whether or not there is asbestos present. An asbestos survey involves taking samples of materials suspected to contain asbestos and testing them in a laboratory to confirm their presence and type of asbestos.

If your survey confirms the presence of asbestos, the next step is to have it removed by a licensed and experienced asbestos removal company like Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon.