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Asbestos in the home

At RHP we are committed to ensuring that materials containing asbestos are kept in good condition and removed when necessary. Current advice from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that if materials containing asbestos are in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed then leaving it alone presents the least risk.

05/01/2011

Asbestos is a strong fibrous rock, which can resist heat and chemicals and was commonly used in building materials to provide insulation or as a fire barrier. Asbestos was particularly in use between the 1950s and 1980s and as a result most properties built during this period are likely to contain some asbestos.

From the early 1980s asbestos stopped being used in the construction of properties but was not finally banned until the 1990s.

Products which contain asbestos can look very similar to those that do not. The difference can often only be found under a microscope at a specialist laboratory.

When is asbestos a problem?

A material that contains asbestos is not in itself dangerous but it becomes dangerous if it is damaged and asbestos fibres are released into the air. A significant release of fibres can be associated with maintenance activities such as drilling, cutting, and worst of all sanding.

Breathing in asbestos fibres can be harmful as some of the fibres may become lodged in the lungs. These fibres can eventually lead to asbestos related diseases although there is usually a very long delay between having contact with asbestos fibres and illness – often between 15 and 60 years.

What has RHP done to manage asbestos?

We maintain a register of where asbestos has been located, removed, or is presumed to be present. This is based on a sample survey of all our properties.

This register is continually updated and is consulted by our partners and contractors before repairs are undertaken. Where the presence of asbestos is suspected, tests are carried out to determine if asbestos is present, its type and it’s concentration. When works are likely to damage or disturb asbestos it is removed by qualified and licensed contractors before work begins, using methods approved by the Health and Safety Executive. Where major works are being undertaken which involves the removal of asbestos you will be provided with information on how the material will be removed and what precautions will be taken to prevent the release of asbestos fibres.

All employees of RHP and our partners/contractors who may need to work on materials that contain asbestos receive comprehensive asbestos awareness training to ensure that work stops if the presence of asbestos is suspected. If this is the case, the material is tested and any asbestos is removed by HSE-approved and licensed asbestos contractors.

Where might asbestos be located?

The following list contains locations where asbestos is sometimes found:

Exterior of building

  • Roof sheets and tiles
  • Fascia and soffit boards
  • Exterior cladding
  • Guttering and drain pipes

Interior surfaces

  • Textured wall and ceiling coatings (e.g. artex)
  • Duct panels (access to pipe work)
  • Infill panels (above, below or next to doorways/windows)
  • Panel (usually cement style) on back of doors (typically boiler cupboard)
  • Panels behind radiator/heater
  • Floor tiles
  • Suspended ceiling panels
  • Stair soffits

Boilers

  • Some interior workings of boilers
  • Boiler flue pipes
  • Storage radiators
  • Garage/shed roofs

Other items

  • Bath panel
  • Fireplace panel
  • Panel to underside of kitchen sink
  • Panel to underside of ironing board
  • Water tank
  • Pipe lagging
  • Garage/shed roofs

All these areas potentially contain asbestos and should be treated accordingly unless you know it is clear (for example, if you know asbestos has been removed and replaced by a non-asbestos product).

What can I do to prevent the release of asbestos fibres?

If you are planning any home improvements and think you may have asbestos in your home, always talk to us first. Even if there is asbestos in your home, it will not cause any problem unless it becomes disturbed or is damaged. If you suspect that asbestos-containing materials have been damaged please contact RHP on 0800 0322 433.

We can check to see if we already have information about the material or can arrange to have a sample taken and tested to establish if asbestos is present. If asbestos is identified you will be provided with details of what will be done. We will provide this service for our tenants, but leaseholders are, as always, responsible for their own fixtures and fittings.

It should be emphasised that asbestos does not present a hazard to health provided it is in good condition. However, where this is not the case we will deal with it in a safe and appropriate way.

I am a leaseholder – what can I do?

As with all the fixtures and fittings within your property, you are responsible for their upkeep. If you have items you suspect contain asbestos then you are best leaving them undisturbed if they are in a good condition, e.g. if you wish to lay carpet instead of floor tiles, lay it directly on top, but use tape to hold it down instead of carpet grippers.

If you wish to remove textured coatings such as artex, then skim over it with plaster to create a flat surface - do not sand it down under any circumstances. If items become damaged then it is possible to do a limited amount of removal yourself. The Health and Safety Executive provide comprehensive guidance and advice on the removal of asbestos. www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos  

Asbestos dos and don’ts

  • Do treat asbestos with respect
  • Don’t drill, sand, saw or otherwise disturb any material which may contain asbestos
  • Don’t carry out D.I.Y. work on any part of your home which you think may contain asbestos. Seek guidance via RHP
  • Do soak wallpaper before removing it and if possible use a steam stripper and then gently peel away the paper before decorating
  • Don’t try to remove any textured coatings from ceilings. Wash areas of flaking paint before re-painting
  • Don’t try to remove old floor tiles or linoleum. Leave them in place and lay new floor coverings over them
  • Do remember: Asbestos can be hazardous to health if handled incorrectly
Downloads

Download Asbestos in the home booklet
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