If you have found a material you think might contain asbestos, the most important thing is to leave it alone and do not disturb it. The only way to know for sure if a material contains asbestos is to have it professionally tested. Our team can safely take a sample from your Warlingham property and send it off to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis. This gives you a definitive result and a certificate, offering you complete peace of mind. We regularly test materials like textured coatings (Artex) on ceilings and walls, asbestos cement on garage roofs, wall panels, soffits and gutters, old vinyl floor tiles and their backing paper, Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB), and pipe insulation or boiler flues. Getting a test done is the responsible way to protect yourself and others.

Asbestos was used in thousands of building products up until the year 2000, so it can be hard to spot with the naked eye. If your Warlingham home or business was built or refurbished before then, there is a good chance it could contain asbestos. Keep an eye out for things like corrugated cement sheets on garage roofs or outbuildings, stippled or swirled textured coatings (often called Artex) on ceilings, older vinyl floor tiles, or even old pipe insulation. Remember, never try to scrape, drill, or cut these materials if you suspect they contain asbestos, as this can release dangerous fibres. If you are unsure, just give us a call – we are here to help identify and test for you.

Once our asbestos testing provides a clear result, we will talk you through all your options. If asbestos is confirmed, the next steps depend on its condition and location. For some materials, if they are in good condition and not likely to be disturbed, careful management or encapsulation might be the safest and most cost-effective solution. Encapsulation involves sealing or enclosing the material to stop any fibre release. However, if the asbestos is damaged, friable, or in an area that is often disturbed, safe removal is usually the best course of action. We can also carry out detailed asbestos management surveys for non-domestic properties or refurbishment and demolition surveys before any construction work, helping you manage the risk properly.