How To Do Asbestos Testing In Hampshire

Asbestos is a dangerous substance that was widely used in building materials in the past. It can cause a number of serious health conditions, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. As such, it's important to establish whether there is any asbestos present in your home or workplace. That's where asbestos testing comes in.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire are an asbestos testing company in Hampshire, offering a range of services to help you establish whether there is asbestos present and, if so, how to deal with it safely and effectively. In this guide, we'll take you through the steps involved in asbestos testing, so you can establish whether it's necessary and, if so, get the right help to deal with it.

Why Asbestos Testing is So Important

Before we dive into the details of asbestos testing, it's worth taking a moment to understand why it's so crucial. Asbestos is a material that was commonly used in building in the past, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s. It was valued for its fire-resistant properties and versatility, and it was used in everything from insulation to flooring.

However, over time it has become clear that asbestos is a very dangerous substance. When asbestos fibres are inhaled, they can cause a number of serious health conditions, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Additionally, the symptoms of these conditions may not appear until decades after exposure, making it difficult to link the condition to the original exposure.

As such, it's important to establish whether there is asbestos present in any building that you own or use. This requires asbestos testing, which involves taking samples of materials and sending them to a laboratory for analysis. If asbestos is found, it will need to be removed safely and correctly, before it can cause any harm.

Establishing Whether Asbestos Testing is Needed

The first step in asbestos testing is to establish whether it's necessary. If you own or occupy a commercial property that was built before 2000, then there is a chance that asbestos is present. In residential properties, the risk is slightly lower, as asbestos was banned from use in building materials in 1999. However, if your home was built before 2000, it's still worth considering whether asbestos may be present.

If you're not sure whether there is asbestos in your building, there are a number of ways to establish this. One approach is to look for information about the building's construction. Architects' plans and building warranties may provide information about the materials used. Additionally, if you are carrying out building work or renovations, you may find asbestos-containing materials that need to be dealt with safely.

If you can't establish whether there is asbestos present in your building, then the best approach is to carry out an asbestos survey. This involves a trained professional visiting your premises and taking samples of materials to send off for analysis. Once the results of the analysis are available, you'll know whether asbestos is present and, if so, where it is located.

Asbestos Sampling and Testing

Once you've established that asbestos testing is necessary, the next step is to take samples of materials that may contain asbestos. This is a complex process that needs to be done carefully, to avoid causing any damage that could release asbestos fibres.

Asbestos sampling involves taking small pieces of material and placing them in sealed containers. Ideally, the samples should be taken by a trained professional who knows how to do this safely. However, if you are confident that you can do this yourself, then you can purchase Asbestos Sample Kits online.

Once you have taken the samples, they need to be sent off to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will be able to tell you whether asbestos is present and, if so, what type of asbestos it is.

Asbestos Surveys and Training

If you are unsure about how to carry out asbestos testing, or if you're not confident in your ability to do this safely, then the best option is to hire a professional asbestos testing company. Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire are one such company, with experience in carrying out surveys and testing in a wide range of buildings across Hampshire and the South East of England.

Professional asbestos surveys and testing can be expensive, but they offer a number of benefits over DIY testing. For one thing, professional testers have access to more advanced equipment and techniques, which means that they are more likely to be able to detect asbestos even in small quantities. Additionally, they are trained in how to carry out the work safely, minimising the risk of releasing asbestos fibres into the air.

Dealing with Asbestos

If asbestos is found in your building, then the next step is to deal with it safely and effectively. This is not a task that you should attempt yourself, as there are many hazards involved in removing asbestos.

Instead, you should hire a professional asbestos removal company, such as Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire, to carry out the work for you. Such companies have the experience and knowledge to remove asbestos safely, using the right equipment and techniques to minimise the risk of exposure.

Specific Points to Consider When Carrying Out an Asbestos Survey

If you do decide to carry out an asbestos survey yourself, there are a number of specific points that you should consider. Firstly, make sure that you have the right equipment, including protective clothing, to keep you safe. Additionally, make sure that you are familiar with the regulations governing asbestos testing and removal, so that you don't inadvertently break the law.

Another point to consider is the importance of sampling from a variety of locations. Asbestos may be present in multiple areas of a building, and so it's important to check a range of materials and locations to make sure that all sources of asbestos are detected.

Finally, remember that asbestos testing is not a task to be undertaken lightly. If you are at all unsure or concerned, then it's best to call in the professionals and get the job done right.

Contacting Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire

If you need help with asbestos testing in Hampshire, then don't hesitate to get in touch with Affordable Asbestos Removal Hampshire. Our expert team have years of experience in testing and removing asbestos, and we can provide the help and support you need to deal with this dangerous substance safely and effectively.

You can reach us by phone on 01962 458066 or by email at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can visit our website at affordable-asbestos-removal-hampshire.co.uk to find out more about our services and how we can help you.