If you are in the market for buying a new property – particularly pre-existing property – you will gather as much information as possible to ensure you get the best deal on the best property.
Almost all homebuyers will invest in a survey of the property to make sure it is free from any underlying defects or issues. One of the many ways they reach their decisions is by an asbestos survey conducted.
Asbestos is a highly-dangerous substance, potentially occupying pre-2000 properties and can be one of the most problematic components in your house. Having an asbestos survey establish whether the material is present is essential to determine if the home you buy is good for the cost.
Asbestos and standard surveys
Some homebuyers feel a standard home survey conducted before purchasing the property will pick up on all issues. One thing that is not a focus of these surveys is asbestos.
Typically, standard surveys will only focus on the surface levels, whereas asbestos hides within the fabric of the property. Only through professional asbestos testing will you be provided with confidence in any asbestos being discovered.
Asbestos being rare in properties is a common misconception. Many assume that because asbestos has been banned from use for over 20 years, it is unlikely to be present in properties in 2023. What you need to think about is that, before 2000, asbestos was widely used in every construction project – with the height of its use stretching from the 1970s to the mid-1990s.
If you are buying a property built in that timeframe, you have the highest chance that the property contains many elements of asbestos. It is something you need to be aware of and know is under control.
Common areas containing historic asbestos
The most common areas of underlying asbestos-containing materials come from pipework, ceiling and flooring tiles. Current flooring may have been placed over existing asbestos tiles that could have been cracked during the process of renovation decades ago.
Insulation around the property may also contain high traces of asbestos fibres, including within your loft that has not been checked on in some considerable time. Older homes can have traces within their paintwork or roofing – or have an external garage constructed with asbestos-related products.
Buying a property and finding out later that it contains asbestos is not just a health hazard – it can be extremely costly to remove. If the asbestos is discovered before the purchase completes, you stand in a position to renegotiate the price due to the costs involved with its management.
If you want to know more from a professional asbestos removal company, contact the team at Grosvenor Asbestos Services today.
