Where Can Asbestos Typically Be Found in a Building - A House, Your Home

If you live in a property built or refurbished before the year 2000, there is a strong possibility that asbestos is hiding in the fabric of your home.

For decades, asbestos was the "magic mineral" of the construction industry—used for fireproofing, insulation, and strengthening. While most people know to look out for corrugated roof sheets, many homeowners are shocked to discover just how many other places it can be found.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has produced this essential "Asbestos House" diagram to help homeowners identify common danger zones. Rather than recreate the wheel let us tell your what the HSE say.

Where is Asbestos Hiding?

Take a look at the diagram below. It highlights the most common locations where asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were used in residential properties.

Key Areas to Watch (Referencing the Diagram):

• Textured Coatings: Often known as "Artex," these decorative ceiling and wall coatings are one of the most common finds in UK homes.

• Vinyl Floor Tiles: Thermoplastic tiles and the adhesive (bitumen) used to stick them down often contain asbestos.

• AIB Ceiling Tiles or Boards: Asbestos Insulating Board was frequently used for fire protection in ceiling tiles and partition walls.

• Soffit/ Verge Under Cloak: The boards under the edge of your roof are a common location for asbestos cement or AIB.

• Pipe Lagging: This is one of the most dangerous forms if found, as it is fibrous and releases dust easily.

I Think I Found Asbestos—What Do I Do?

Finding potential asbestos can be alarming, but the material is usually safe if it is in good condition and undisturbed. The danger arises when you damage it (drilling, sanding, sawing, or scrubbing), releasing microscopic fibres into the air.

Follow these three steps:

1. Stop Work Immediately If you are doing DIY and uncover a material you suspect might be asbestos (like a hidden floor tile or a board behind a bath panel), stop what you are doing. Do not try to sweep it up or vacuum it, as this spreads the fibres.

2. Check the Condition Is the material damaged or crumbling?

• If Intact: Leave it alone. Asbestos is often safer left in place and encapsulated (painted or covered) than removed.

• If Damaged: You need professional help. Do not touch it.
  

3. Get a Professional Test You cannot identify asbestos with the naked eye. The only way to be sure is to hire a professional asbestos surveyor to take a sample and analyse it in a lab. Home sampling kits are available, but for high-risk items (like pipe lagging or loose-fill insulation), a professional surveyor is safer.

The Golden Rule: "If in doubt, leave it alone."

Never take a gamble with your respiratory health. If you are planning renovation work on a pre-2000 home, factor an Asbestos Survey or Testing into your budget and timeline.

For more detailed interactive diagrams and specific advice on each of these locations, visit the official HSE Asbestos essentials website: https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/diagrams.htm

Do you need help finding a registered asbestos surveyor? Visit the UKAT (UK Asbestos Training Association) or ATaC (Asbestos Testing and Consultancy Association) websites to find an accredited professional near you. For Birmingham, Black Country and surrounding regions call our Testing Team on 01384 505758 or visit our testing page here: https://www.blackcountryasbestos.com/asbestos-testing

Written By: Elle Black Country Asbestos Contracts Limited are an Asbestos Removal, Disposal and Testing  company based in Brierley Hill, West Midlands.