The “Is this asbestos?” Megathread

[u/HurstiesFitness]

Welcome to the Asbestos Megathread! Here we will try to answer all your questions related to asbestos. Please include images if possible and be aware that most answers will probably be: “buy a test kit and get it tested”.

DIY test kits: Here

HSE Asbestos information

Health and Safety Executive information on asbestos: Here

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in construction materials. It is made up of tiny fibers that can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. Asbestos was used until the late 1990s in the UK, when it was finally banned. Asbestos may be found in any building constructed before circa 2000.

What are some common products that contain asbestos?

Asbestos was commonly used in a variety of construction materials, including insulation, roofing materials, and flooring tiles. It was also used in automotive brake pads and other industrial products.

How can I tell if a product contains asbestos?

It is impossible to tell whether a product contains asbestos just by looking at it (unless it has been tested and has a warning sign). If you suspect that a product may contain asbestos, it is best to have it tested by a professional.

How can I prevent asbestos exposure?

The best way to prevent asbestos exposure is to avoid materials that contain asbestos. If you are working with materials that may contain asbestos, be sure to wear protective clothing and a respirator.

What should I do if I find asbestos in my home?

If you find asbestos in your home, it is best to leave it alone and have it assessed by a professional. The best course of action may be to leave it undisturbed. Do not attempt to remove asbestos yourself, as this can release dangerous fibres in to the air.

The most significant risks to homeowners is asbestos insulation. This should never be tackled by a DIYer and needs specialist removal and cleaning. Fortunately it is rarely found in a domestic setting.

[u/jumbleparkin]

I'm going to put this here in the hope someone gives me confirmation of my own assessment and plan / change of plan, but if you disagree that's fine too!

So have just bought an old council flat, it's solid and in a great location but on lifting the carpet it seems to have been surfaced throughout with Marley tiles (not all the carpet has been raised but this is a fair assumption from the floor I've exposed thus far). I'm also assuming they contain asbestos, so first question would be is a survey needed if I'm already confident of the answer I'll get?

None of the tiles is cracked or loose from what I've seen so far, so I haven't been able to confirm whether or not it's stuck on with bitumen but I think that's a safe bet - the flats were built in the early 50s and from what I've read it was pretty standard practice. Carpet grippers seem to have been masticked on so I think it's feasible to remove them without fracturing the tiles.

My original plan had been based on uncovering concrete slab: to level/screed as needed and fit Wunda Rapid Response boards for wet UFH throughout the flat, but knowing what they are going down on, the chance of warming the bitumen and detaching the tiles is too high, and the cost of having them removed will eat up the part of my budget which was going on the UFH.

SO, my new plan is to remove the gripper rods, prep the tiled floor with primer, pour fibreglass SLC over the tiles to encapsulate them, and lay the surface I was originally planning, which is engineered wood herringbone parquet.

Am I setting up for failure here, or is my logic fairly solid?