Asbestos Removal Durham County Durham (DH1) Area: The cause of something like five thousand deaths each year (according to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE)), asbestos is categorised as a material that is hazardous to health. If you find asbestos in your Durham property, and it needs removing and disposing of, you need to confer with an expert in the asbestos industry before you start any work. If, during building or restoration work, you think you've stumbled on asbestos you should stop work without delay and contact a licensed asbestos company. To be able to recommend the best method of removal, a certified Durham asbestos removal company will check out the questionable material and evaluate the situation.
Specific asbestos construction materials don't need a licensed asbestos contractor to undertake the removal and disposal. But, because of the permanent impact on health from asbestos fibres and dust, it's always sound practice to use certified asbestos professionals. An established Durham asbestos removal contractor will be Health and Safety Executive licensed and trained, and will follow all the required guidelines and laws to correctly complete the removal from your property.
HEALTH DANGERS FROM ASBESTOS
Asbestos is not harmful if left untouched. Only when it is scraped or cut can tiny asbestos particles or fibres be released into the atmosphere. Asbestosis is the disease that is triggered by asbestos particles entering the lungs and becoming trapped. Lung cancer consultants have also found asbestos fibres to be a contributing cause in the disease.
The irreversible scarring of the lungs caused by asbestos fibres can't be cured, and asbestosis has no known remedy.
The symptoms of asbestosis could include:
- Persistent Cough
- Wheezing
- Pain in the Shoulders or Chest
- Extreme Fatigue
- Acute Shortness of Breath
If you experience one or several of these symptoms and you have been in contact with asbestos over a long period of time, you should call your doctor and seek their advice.
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH ASBESTOS
Properties and structures that were built from 1945 - 1985 are more likely to have asbestos in their construction than those built after this period; asbestos was banned for construction purposes in Great Britain after 1999. A lot of older homes and properties may therefore have asbestos in certain parts of the structure. Asbestos could be found in any part of an older structure given that it was utilized as a fireproofing and insulating material in lots of different areas.
Stumbling upon asbestos in your property in Durham does not necessarily constitute an immediate hazard. Don't forget that asbestos is only dangerous to health if damaged or disturbed. There are certain cases whereby it may be better to leave the asbestos in situ, making sure that it's not in any danger of being disturbed. If you have any doubts or want to find out about safe ways to deal with asbestos in your property it's best to get in touch with an experienced asbestos removal contractor in Durham for guidance.
Certain asbestos materials are of a higher health risk than others. Because of how some asbestos products are manufactured and their likelihood of releasing fibres into the air, items like asbestos insulation boards, pipe lagging and loose fill insulations are higher risk to health than roofing panels and asbestos cement sheets. Irrespective of the risk associated with asbestos, a licensed asbestos removal contractor in Durham can safely ascertain, remove and eliminate any harmful materials found in your property or home.
If the removing of asbestos has need of a HSE license holder to carry out the process, then the HSE or the local authority has to be informed. For all work relating to asbestos there must be compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 to limit and prevent an exposure to asbestos dust and fibres.
Be warned it is a prosecutable offence to perform anything that is considered to be licensed work if you haven't got a license.
THE DISPOSAL OF ASBESTOS
It is labelled as hazardous waste, as soon as any asbestos material has been removed from your home in Durham. It is essential that any hazardous asbestos waste is disposed of in a safe and proper manner, following the stated instructions from your local authorities. A professional asbestos removal company will be familiar with the required guidelines and laws from the HSE and local authority for the disposal of hazardous asbestos materials.
Depending on the condition of the asbestos, i.e. if it's damaged or loose fibre asbestos, its disposal will be covered by the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Act 2009 (CDG 2009). A waste carrier's licence is essential in this case to guarantee its safe disposal in a government approved disposal centre. For your own peace of mind the use of a registered Durham asbestos removal service will give them the responsibility of following all legislation and rules, including the safe-keeping and storage of all disposal records for 3 years, at the least in the event that it is needed down the road.
THE PHASES OF WORK
Before any materials that may contain asbestos are removed from your Durham home or property, it is advisable to verify the substances that are involved. Only a registered asbestos surveyor or company can lawfully affirm asbestos and the procedures needed for its removal and disposal. You might choose not to undertake an asbestos survey on your home, but if it was constructed between the years 1945 and 1999, you need to expect that there probably is asbestos present and observe all health and safety measures.
An asbestos removal specialist may suggest an asbestos surveyor to check your home, but this person must be impartial and not an employee or partner in the enterprise.
If the survey uncovers asbestos that requires a certified contractor for removal, the Health & Safety Executive must be advised at least fourteen days prior to the starting of work. All legal documentation and required paperwork will be supplied by the asbestos removal firm and will include: 1. All certificates needed for the contractor and its employees to conduct the task, covering; sample testing, training, medical, hazardous waste disposal, risk assessments and work licenses. 2. A written work declaration of the guidelines, regulations and rules for the project. 3. A statement explaining how the samples of asbestos will be tested and the method for making sure the work site is clear once the dangerous substances have been removed. 4. If needed, due to the nature of asbestos removal work, there will be a systematic check of the 4 stages of clearances and a Certificate of Reoccupation will be issued.
All necessary health & safety measures for the workers, including PPE, will be provided by the asbestos removal company and they will make sure that all hazardous waste is securely removed to a certified waste disposal site.
AFFILIATIONS, PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS and QUALIFICATIONS
To help you to decide on which asbestos removal firm in Durham to choose, you can ask if they're affiliated with any of the professional bodies and associations in the industry.
ARCA - The Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) is the leading trade organisation for companies and contractors who work within the hazardous asbestos removal sector. They dedicate themselves to promoting safe working practices by providing guidance, training and support on all issues concerning the asbestos removal and disposal trade.
ATaC - The Asbestos Testing and Consultancy Association provides qualifications and advice for asbestos surveyors and analysts. ATaC is a certified UKAS associate and provides recognition to its members in this specialist field.
UKATA - The United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is a non-profit organisation that's focused on improving standards throughout the asbestos industry, by providing the highest quality training. From the individual homeowner to the biggest companies, UKATA has a study course with recognised qualifications for everybody; these qualifications can be checked through their online portal for validity.
Asbestos surveys and asbestos removal services are available in Durham itself and also in surrounding towns and villages like Hexham, Sherburn, Peterlee, Bowburn, Hartlepool, Chester le Street, Consett, High Pittington, Houghall, Sacriston, Bearpark, Brancepeth, Dragonville, Bishop Aukland, Broompark, Croxdale, and in these postcodes: DH1 1HY, DH1 1JS, DH1 1HW, DH1 1RF, DH1 1AB, DH1 1JY, DH1 1EB, DH1 1HU, DH1 1AF, DH1 1HG. Local Durham asbestos removal specialists will most likely have the telephone dialling code 0191 and the postcode DH1. Verifying this will guarantee that you are accessing locally based providers of asbestos removal. Durham homeowners can benefit from these and numerous other similar services.
Asbestos Flue Removal
Removing an asbestos flue often forms part of wider refurbishment or heating upgrades in older properties. The asbestos material may look intact but can crumble easily once disturbed. Planning focuses on limiting fibre release and protecting surrounding areas. The work zone is sealed off to prevent fibres spreading into the rest of the building. For higher-risk removals, temporary relocation of occupants may be recommended until the area is declared safe again. The flue is dismantled in small sections to keep the process controlled. Each piece is wrapped straight away and removed from site. After removal, cleaning and clearance checks are carried out. Only once results are confirmed is the property considered safe for reoccupation. (Tags: Asbestos Flue Removal Durham)
Asbestos Gutter Removal
Asbestos gutter removal is best handled by specialists because the material can fail without warning once it's disturbed. Older asbestos cement gutters are often brittle after years of exposure, meaning even gentle handling can cause cracking. Specialists know how to support and remove sections whole, reducing the risk of fibre release. They also prepare the area below to manage debris safely. Weather conditions play a big part too, as wind, rain, or extreme dryness can affect how safely the gutters can be removed. Once down, the guttering is wrapped and treated as hazardous waste. Non-specialists often rush the job or work in poor conditions, leading to broken sections and fibres spreading into surrounding areas that are difficult to clean properly. (Tags: Asbestos Gutter Removal Durham)
Asbestos Testing/Sampling

The process of discovering whether questionable materials contain asbestos or not is referred to as asbestos testing or sampling. If you've got such materials in your home in Durham, that you are thinking might contain asbestos, a sample has to be taken and sent to a specialist company for evaluation. Such things as sealants, textured coatings (Artex), duct/pipe coverings, shed roofs, sprayed coatings, cement sheets and wallboard, are amongst the most commonplace asbestos containing materials in Durham buildings. If you're carrying out major restoration work on a property that was constructed before the year 2000 you'll need to perform asbestos sampling on any suspicious materials.
In keeping with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, only UKAS certified companies (ISO 17025) are allowed to undertake testing on asbestos containing materials. Although you may see asbestos testing kits being marketed on the internet, it is neither reliable nor advisable to depend on these for determining whether you've got ACMs within your property. Stay safe, even if the costs are a bit higher overall, and always use a professional service for your asbestos testing and sampling requirements. (Tags: Asbestos Testing Durham, Asbestos Testing Kits Durham, Asbestos Tests Durham, Asbestos Sampling Durham).
Types of Asbestos

Occurring naturally on every continent of the world, asbestos is a fibrous material that was used in the construction and manufacturing industries from the latter part of the 19th century until it was banned in Britain in the late 1990s. There are six unique minerals which are typically referred to as asbestos, namely - crocidolite, amosite, chrysotile, anthophyllite, actinolite and tremolite, and these all belong to the 2 groups serpentine and amphibole.
Purely for the purpose of this brief article we'll just be considering the 3 main types that are most regularly found in British homes and buildings. Those are: chrysotile, crocidolite and amosite.
Chrysotile (White Asbestos) - Chrysotile asbestos, often known as white asbestos, was the most commonly used of all these materials. In Durham homes and business premises, it is still often found in floors, roofs, walls, insulation and ceilings. It can also be found in a number of manufactured products like brake linings, boiler seals, duct & pipe insulation and gaskets.
Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos) - Used in the manufacture of plastics, cement products, spray-on coatings and pipe insulation, and also for insulating steam engines, crocidolite (also called blue asbestos) is the most dangerous type of asbestos.
Amosite (Brown Asbestos or Grunerite) - Often used to make vinyl tiles, fire protection, insulating board, cement sheets, roofing materials and pipe insulation, Amosite (grunerite) is also known as brown asbestos. It was mostly mined in South Africa.
Interesting Fact: Unbelievably, blue asbestos was even used in the production of filter cigarettes, therefore during the fifties people were unknowingly breathing this deadly material straight into their lungs. At that time (1952-1956) it was marketed as a health benefit, which makes it even more shocking! So, the Lorillard Tobacco Company (Greensboro, NC) must get the award "blunder of the century", for putting the most deadly type of asbestos material (crocidolite) into their Kent Micronite cigarette filters, and promoting it as a safety feature. Million dollar payouts are still being awarded to the unfortunate victims of this scandal, more than 60 years after the events. An aggressive and rare type of cancer known as mesothelioma, was among the health problems that were experienced by many of the victims.
Asbestos Air Monitoring Durham
To ensure the safety of air quality in environments that could potentially be contaminated with airborne asbestos fibres, an extensive procedure known as asbestos air monitoring is employed. The presence of these dangerous fibres in the air is determined by methodically sampling and analysing the air. The level of airborne asbestos fibres is measured to determine whether it poses a threat to the health of residents, occupants or workers.

Air monitoring is a task that is performed by certified asbestos professionals using specialist equipment. Areas where asbestos disturbance or removal is occurring have air sampling devices strategically placed in them. These devices collect air samples over a specified period, and the samples are analysed in approved laboratories to determine the quantity and type of asbestos fibres present in the area.
Utmost importance is attached to air monitoring, which serves several critical purposes:
- Risk Assessment: Asbestos air monitoring is used to assess the level of asbestos exposure risk during activities such as asbestos maintenance, renovation or removal. Informed decision-making regarding the necessity of protective measures is facilitated by this.
- Regulatory Compliance: Asbestos management is strictly regulated in a lot of countries, including the United Kingdom, and asbestos air monitoring plays an important role in ensuring compliance with these regulations and in documenting the safety measures taken.
- Worker Safety: To protect themselves from exposure to asbestos, people involved in asbestos-related work, such as asbestos removal contractors, construction workers, and maintenance staff, should use air monitoring to obtain real-time data on the effectiveness of containment measures and the need for personal protective equipment.
- Public Health: Asbestos fibres can travel beyond the immediate work area, potentially affecting neighbouring homes and properties or even passers-by. Air monitoring ensures that the broader community is not exposed to airborne asbestos fibres.
- Verification of Abatement: After asbestos removal or control measures have been implemented, air monitoring is usually carried out to verify that the area is safe for reoccupation. This prevents possible exposure to lingering asbestos fibres.
Conclusion: Asbestos air monitoring is an vital defence against the health threats related to asbestos exposure. By offering precise information on airborne asbestos fibre levels, it facilitates timely interventions, protects worker and public health, and ensures adherence to regulations. Diseases caused by asbestos have a long latency period and often take decades to manifest. Therefore, implementing proactive asbestos air monitoring is crucial to averting future health crises and safeguarding people who live and work in areas where asbestos could be hazardous. (Tags: Asbestos Air Monitoring Durham)
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked asbestos removal questions: Can I sell a property that contains asbestos? How long does asbestos removal take? What training do asbestos professionals need? Can asbestos be found in floor tiles or adhesives? Is asbestos harmful if it is left undisturbed? Can builders dispose of asbestos waste? Is asbestos still legal in the UK? Is asbestos removal always necessary?
Asbestos Removal Advice and Guidance

If you would like to learn more on asbestos, you will uncover information about alternatives to asbestos in construction, early uses of asbestos, the regulation of asbestos across the world, some places where asbestos is currently legal, the recycling and disposal of asbestos materials, the different types of asbestos & asbestos fibres, the serious health problems caused by asbestos, the manufacture of asbestos products and the occurrence of asbestos in nature, by going to Wikipedia. There is so much high quality info about asbestos removal available on the internet these days, and to discover more about the challenges of asbestos removal head here. You should really head to the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association website, if you want to do a search of licensed local asbestos removal contractors in the Durham area. Get the most up-to-date information and facts regarding asbestos and how to dispose of it from your local authority by visiting https://www.gov.uk/asbestos-in-home.
Products That Might Contain Asbestos
- Gaskets and Rope Seals (Particularly on Old Boilers and Stove Doors)
- Textured Coatings (Older Types of Artex and Polytex)
- Roofing Felt (Especially on Garages and Outbuildings)
- Sprayed Coatings on Walls, Columns, Ceilings and Beams
- Asbestos Cement Products (Downpipes, Cladding and Roofing Sheets)
- Textiles (Fire Blankets, Heat-Resistent Gloves and Protective Overalls)
- Composite Materials (Window Sills, Toilet Cisterns and Bath Panels)
- Asbestos Insulation Boards (AIB) (Partition Walls, Ceiling Tiles and Panels in Fireproof Doors
- Lagging
- Floor Tiles
Asbestos Removal Tasks Durham
Asbestos removal experts should be able to help with asbestos inspections, ethical asbestos disposal, asbestos roof removal, air testing, hazardous asbestos removal Durham, asbestos flue removal, artex asbestos survey, asbestos dismantling, industrial asbestos removal Durham, asbestos removal services in Durham, Artex asbestos removal Durham, asbestos site investigations, asbestos waste collection in Durham, domestic asbestos removal Durham, asbestos abatement, hazardous material management, licensed asbestos removal Durham, asbestos ceiling removal, white asbestos removal, asbestos encapsulation, asbestos risk management, commercial asbestos surveys, hazardous waste removal, domestic asbestos survey, garage asbestos removal Durham, asbestos garage roof removal, and other hazardous waste related jobs. These are just a small portion of the tasks that are handled by those installing asbestos removal. Durham professionals will let you know their entire range of services.
Asbestos Removal Near Durham
Also find: High Pittington asbestos removal, Consett asbestos removal, Sherburn asbestos removal, Hexham asbestos removal, Broompark asbestos removal, Bearpark asbestos removal, Croxdale asbestos removal, Peterlee asbestos removal, Bishop Aukland asbestos removal, Bowburn asbestos removal, Brancepeth asbestos removal, Chester le Street asbestos removal, Sacriston asbestos removal, Hartlepool asbestos removal, Dragonville asbestos removal, Houghall asbestos removal services and more. All of these places are covered by companies who do asbestos removal. Durham home and business owners can get quotations by going here.
Asbestos Removal Services Durham
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Asbestos Removal in DH1 area, and dialling code 0191.
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