Do you have asbestos in your property and want to remove it quickly and safely? If so, it’s best to call in the experts. Removing asbestos yourself can be very dangerous. Asbestos becomes harmful once it’s disturbed. If you encounter asbestos in your home or commercial premises, you must not touch it. Only those who are trained and experienced in the handling and removal of asbestos should do so. At ProDEM, we specialise in both domestic and commercial asbestos removal in Nottingham, Derby, and Leicester. Read on to find out more about removing asbestos from your property.
What is asbestos?
Most people have heard about asbestos, but are you really sure what it is? Asbestos is a fibrous material which occurs naturally in the environment. Once woven into fabrics or mixed into cement for building or electrical insulation, it was banned in the UK in 1999. Even so, it can still be found in many older buildings which were built between the 1950s and 1980s.
If your property was constructed before the turn of the century, it’s possible that asbestos was used. If your home was built after 2000, it is very unlikely to have been used. Many people come across asbestos in their loft area, garage or whilst carrying out renovations or DIY tasks. If asbestos is in a good condition it can sometimes be left where it is. However, if it’s been damaged or is crumbling or deteriorating, it’s best to arrange its removal as soon as possible. You can sometimes leave asbestos where it is if it’s in good condition. Arrange removal as soon as possible if it’s showing any signs of damage.
Why is it so dangerous?
Asbestos is dangerous and potentially even life-threatening if disturbed. If people handle materials with asbestos, fibres can become airborne. This poses a risk to anyone who inhales these toxic particles. Asbestos can have a serious effect on people’s health.
Some people have been diagnosed with a cancer called mesothelioma after frequently being exposed to asbestos fibres. This disease causes tumours to grow on the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Since curing mesothelioma is rarely possible, the consequences are usually fatal. Other diseases such as asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural thickening can also result due to exposure to asbestos.
Can I remove asbestos myself?
You must never attempt to remove asbestos from your property yourself. Since the material is so harmful to health, only trained professionals should handle it. So, keep it isolated and seek the advice of the experts if you do notice asbestos in your property. At ProDEM, we offer a prompt and reliable service, with our team able to remove all types of asbestos as quickly and safely as possible.
Don’t risk removing asbestos yourself if you don’t have sufficient training. Not only will you put yourself in danger, but you’ll also but others around you at risk too. People living or working in the property may breathe in disturbed particles.
Does this apply to all types of asbestos?
Yes, it’s important not to handle or remove any type of asbestos in your property yourself. All require trained asbestos removal experts to eradicate from your premises. Asbestos comes in six forms. All are harmful to health if they’re disturbed. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of asbestos:
- Chrysotile (white asbestos). This is the most common type of asbestos. It’s often found in roofs, ceilings, floors, and walls. Manufacturers have also used chrysotile asbestos in cars – specifically the brake linings, boiler seals, and gaskets.
- Amosite (brown asbestos). This type of asbestos is strong and heat-resistant. Amosite asbestos presents a higher cancer risk than other forms.
- Crocidolite (blue asbestos). With very thin fibres and a brittle texture, crocidolite easily breaks down. This makes it one of the more harmful forms of asbestos.
- Tremolite. Tremolite is often found in chrysotile asbestos. Coming in several different colours, it’s sometimes present in paints, sealants, talc, and asbestos-containing insulation products.
- Anthophyllite. Composite flooring often houses this type of asbestos. It has grey-brown fibres. Products which contain vermiculite and talc, including talcum powder frequently contained Anthophyllite.
- Actinolite. Actinolite is dark coloured with lightweight fibres. It can be thick and compact or stringy and brittle. Paints and sealants often harbour actinolite.
These six types of asbestos have different qualities and functions. However, they are all hazardous to human health. If you suspect you have asbestos in your property, don’t touch it. Call in a qualified and licenced company like ProDEM to remove asbestos safely.
Why choose ProDEM for asbestos removal?
When searching for a local company to provide asbestos removal in Derby, Nottingham, or Leicester, it’s important to ensure that you’re hiring an experienced team with a proven track record. At ProDEM, we’ve been disposing of asbestos in both domestic and commercial settings for over 30 years. With three decades of experience in the field, you can rely on us to provide a professional and reliable service that’s second to none.
We deal with jobs of all sizes, from big commercial jobs to smaller jobs within the home. At ProDEM, we have the knowledge and expertise needed to remove asbestos from your property as safe as possible. Once we’ve removed the asbestos, we’ll then provide a safe and efficient removal service.
Contact us
Did you know that we can offer a free site survey and quotation on request? To find out more, call us on 0115 775 0307 (Nottingham), 0116 430 0273 (Leicester), 0133 231 4065 (Derby) or 0114 419 0247 (Sheffield). You can also send us a message via the website if you prefer. We’re ready and waiting to remove asbestos from your property once and for all.