I Think My Property Has Asbestos. What Do I Do First? 1/3

This is Part 1 of a blog series called The Asbestos Journey for homeowners.

Discovering that your property might contain asbestos can be a worrying moment. Whether a tradesperson has flagged it during a job, you have spotted a suspicious material during renovation work, or you simply know your building is old enough to be at risk, the first question most people ask is the same: what do I do now?

The good news is that asbestos does not automatically mean danger. In many cases, asbestos-containing materials that are in good condition and left undisturbed pose very little immediate risk. The problem arises when those materials are damaged, disturbed, or removed incorrectly, releasing microscopic fibres into the air that can cause serious long-term harm if inhaled.

This guide will walk you through exactly what to do if you think your property has asbestos, and why getting the right professional advice from the start makes all the difference.

Step one: do not touch it

This sounds obvious, but it is the most important thing. If you suspect a material contains asbestos, leave it alone. Do not drill it, sand it, break it, or attempt to take a sample yourself. Any disturbance can release fibres, and once those fibres are in the air, the risk to you and anyone nearby increases significantly.

If a tradesperson has already disturbed the material before realising, stop work immediately. Seal off the area as best you can and contact a professional asbestos specialist before allowing anyone back in.

Where is asbestos commonly found?

Asbestos was used extensively in UK construction right up until 1999, so any building built or refurbished before that date could potentially contain it. Common locations include:

• Roof tiles and garage roofs (particularly corrugated cement sheets)
• Textured coatings such as Artex on ceilings and walls
• Floor tiles and the adhesive beneath them
• Pipe lagging and boiler insulation
• Ceiling tiles and partition boards
• Around window and door frames in older properties

You cannot identify asbestos by looking at it. The only way to know for certain is through professional testing.

What kind of asbestos survey do you need?

There are two main types of asbestos survey, and the right one for you will depend on what you are planning to do with the building.

Management survey

This is the standard survey for properties that are in use and not undergoing major work. It identifies any asbestos-containing materials that could be disturbed by everyday activities or minor maintenance. The aim is to help you manage those materials safely over time. If you are a commercial landlord or business owner, you are legally required to have an asbestos management plan in place, and a management survey is the starting point.

Refurbishment and demolition survey

If you are planning any building work, renovation, or demolition, you need this survey before work starts. It is more intrusive than a management survey because it needs to locate all asbestos in areas that will be disturbed. This is a legal requirement under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, and it applies whether you own a domestic property or manage a commercial building.

Do homeowners need an asbestos survey?

While domestic homeowners do not have the same legal duty to manage asbestos as commercial property owners, the health risks are exactly the same. If you are planning any kind of renovation, extension, or significant DIY work on a property built before 2000, an asbestos survey is strongly recommended before you begin.

Tradespeople working on your property are also protected under health and safety law, which means any contractor you hire should not be expected to work in areas where asbestos has not been assessed. Commissioning a survey before work starts protects everyone involved.

What does the survey process involve?

A qualified asbestos surveyor will visit your property and carry out a thorough inspection of the areas in scope. They will take samples of any materials suspected to contain asbestos and send them to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis. The results are then compiled into a detailed report that tells you exactly what was found, where it is located, what condition it is in, and what the risk level is.

The survey itself is non-destructive where possible, and a good surveyor will cause minimal disruption. The whole process is typically straightforward, and the report you receive gives you a clear picture of what you are dealing with.

Why choose ACS for your asbestos survey?

At Asbestos Compliance Solutions, we carry out asbestos surveys across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and beyond. Our experienced team provides clear, jargon-free reports and practical advice on next steps. We work with both domestic and commercial clients, and we understand that finding asbestos in your property is stressful enough without being overwhelmed by complicated paperwork.

Once your survey is complete, we will talk you through the findings and help you understand what they mean in plain English. From there, we will guide you on whether you need a management plan, removal, or simply ongoing monitoring.

If you suspect asbestos in your property, do not delay. Contact the ACS team today to arrange your asbestos survey and get the peace of mind you need.

Property Has Asbestos: Frequently Asked Questions