How To Test Tiles For Asbestos In Devon

If you are living in Devon or anywhere in the South West of England, it is important to know how to test tiles for asbestos. Asbestos is a hazardous material that was commonly used in building materials until the late 1990s. It is known to cause serious lung diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. The risk of asbestos exposure is especially high if you are renovating or demolishing an older building.

As a professional asbestos testing company in Devon, Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon understands the importance of identifying asbestos-containing materials in a building. In this article, we will discuss the steps you can take to test tiles for asbestos in Devon and the surrounding areas.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that was widely used in the construction industry in the UK until the late 1990s. It was used in a variety of building materials, including insulation, roofing, floor tiles, and cement products.

The use of asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, but many older buildings still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). When these materials are disturbed or damaged, they release tiny asbestos fibres into the air. These fibres can be breathed in and can cause serious lung diseases.

Why test tiles for asbestos?

Floor tiles are one of the most common materials that contain asbestos. In fact, tiles manufactured before 1980 are highly likely to contain asbestos. If you are planning on renovating or demolishing an older building, it is essential to test the tiles for asbestos to ensure that you and your workers are not exposed to asbestos fibres.

Testing tiles for asbestos is also important if you are planning on laying new flooring over the existing tiles. If the tiles contain asbestos, you will need to have them removed by a professional asbestos removal company.

How to test tiles for asbestos

Testing tiles for asbestos is a complex process that requires specialised equipment and expertise. However, there are steps you can take to identify whether or not your tiles may contain asbestos. Here are the steps you should take:

1. Determine the age of the building

As previously mentioned, asbestos was widely used in building materials before the late 1990s. If your building was constructed before this time, it is highly likely that the tiles contain asbestos.

2. Look for signs of damage

If the tiles are in good condition and have not been damaged, it is less likely that they contain asbestos. However, if the tiles are cracked, chipped or damaged in any way, this could release asbestos fibres into the air.

3. Have a visual inspection done by a professional

A professional asbestos testing company in Devon will be able to conduct a visual inspection of the tiles to determine whether or not they contain asbestos. This will involve identifying the type of tile and looking for signs of asbestos.

4. Have a sample of the tiles analysed

If the tiles are suspected of containing asbestos, a sample will need to be taken and analysed in a laboratory. The sample will be carefully collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results of the analysis will determine whether or not the tiles contain asbestos.

The risk of not testing tiles for asbestos

If you do not test tiles for asbestos and they do contain asbestos, you risk exposing yourself and others to asbestos fibres. This can lead to serious lung diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can take many years to show symptoms, so it is essential to take preventative measures to avoid exposure.

What to do if your tiles contain asbestos

If your tiles contain asbestos, it is important to take action to protect yourself and others from exposure. The first step is to have the tiles removed by a professional asbestos removal company, such as Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon.

Asbestos removal is a complex process that requires specialised equipment and training. It is not safe to attempt to remove asbestos-containing materials yourself, as this can lead to asbestos exposure. A professional asbestos removal company will have the expertise and equipment needed to remove the tiles safely.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon

At Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon, we are a professional asbestos testing and removal company in Devon. We have years of experience in identifying and removing asbestos-containing materials from buildings in Devon and the surrounding areas.

We understand the importance of testing tiles for asbestos and take every precaution to ensure that our clients are not exposed to asbestos fibres during the removal process. Our team of experts will conduct a thorough inspection of your building and take samples of any suspect materials for analysis in a laboratory.

If you need to test tiles for asbestos in Devon, contact Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon today. You can reach us by phone at 01962 458066 or by email at [email protected]. Visit our website at affordable-asbestos-removal-devon.co.uk for more information about our services.