How To Test If Artex Contains Asbestos In Devon

If you live in Devon or surrounding areas and are concerned about the presence of asbestos in your home or business, this guide is for you. Asbestos has been widely used in construction materials since the early 1900s and was only banned in the UK in 1999. As a result, many homes and buildings still contain asbestos-containing materials, particularly in the form of artex coatings on ceilings.

Asbestos is a dangerous substance that can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Therefore, it is essential to test for asbestos if you suspect it may be present in your property.

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon, we are a trusted asbestos testing company in Devon committed to providing affordable and reliable asbestos testing services to our clients. In this guide, we will outline the steps involved in testing if artex contains asbestos in Devon.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction materials due to its strength, durability, and fire-resistant properties. It was commonly used as insulation, roofing, and flooring materials, as well as in artex coatings on walls and ceilings.

Asbestos consists of tiny, needle-like fibres that can become airborne when materials containing asbestos are disturbed or damaged. Breathing in these fibres can cause serious health problems, particularly if exposure is prolonged or frequent.

There are six different types of asbestos fibres: chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite. Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, is the most commonly used type and is found in up to 90% of all asbestos-containing materials in the UK.

What is artex?

Artex is a type of textured coating that was widely used on ceilings and walls in the UK from the 1960s to the 1980s. It was popular due to its ability to hide imperfections in walls and ceilings and create a textured, decorative finish.

Artex coatings can contain asbestos, particularly if they were applied before the 1990s when the use of asbestos in construction materials was still legal. Asbestos was commonly used as a binding agent in artex coatings to add strength and durability.

How to tell if artex contains asbestos

The only way to tell if artex contains asbestos is to have it tested by a qualified asbestos testing company in Devon. At Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon, we offer comprehensive asbestos testing services to identify whether artex contains asbestos.

The testing process involves taking a small sample of the artex coating and sending it to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will use a scanning electron microscope to examine the sample and identify any asbestos fibres present.

Our asbestos testing services are priced affordably, and we aim to provide a quick turnaround time for results, so you can have peace of mind knowing whether your artex contains asbestos or not.

Why test for asbestos in artex?

Testing for asbestos in artex is essential for several reasons:

• Asbestos is a dangerous substance that can cause serious health problems if inhaled.
• Many buildings still contain asbestos-containing materials, particularly in the form of artex coatings.
• Artex coatings can become fragile over time, releasing asbestos fibres into the air if disturbed or damaged.
• If you plan to renovate or remove the artex coating, you need to know whether it contains asbestos to take adequate safety precautions.

Testing for asbestos in artex is an important step in ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones, particularly if you live in an older property or are planning any home renovations.

What to do if artex contains asbestos

If your artex coating contains asbestos, the next step is to arrange for its safe removal by a licensed asbestos removal company in Devon. Asbestos removal should never be attempted by an untrained person, as this can lead to the release of asbestos fibres into the air, putting your health at risk.

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon, we offer professional and affordable asbestos removal services to our clients. Our team of experts is fully trained in the safe removal of asbestos-containing materials and follows strict procedures to ensure that the removal process is carried out safely and efficiently.

We work closely with our clients to ensure minimal disruption to their daily lives and provide comprehensive asbestos removal services, from initial testing to safe disposal of asbestos-containing materials.

Conclusion

Testing for asbestos in artex is an essential step in protecting your health and the health of your loved ones. At Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon, we are a trusted asbestos testing company in Devon that provides affordable and reliable asbestos testing services to our clients.

If you suspect that your artex coating may contain asbestos, don't hesitate to contact us on 01962 458066 or email us at [email protected] to arrange for asbestos testing. We will work with you to ensure that you receive fast and accurate results, so you can take the next steps to keep your property safe from the dangers of asbestos.