INSIGHT - ASBESTOS IN GARDENS

 

ASBESTOS IN GARDENS

The sun is shining, the weather is sweet, and the radiant sun invites you to conquer your garden. You might want to get rid of the old garage and relocate the fence or you just want to dig out the rockery to create room for new decking or some gorgeous plants. However, you come across material that you think is asbestos!

It is necessary to be mindful of the risk that may lay hidden. So, what are your choices, and what should you do first? Here's our guide on common places where you can discover asbestos in gardens and what to do if you find it.

How do YOU know if there is even a possibility of asbestos in YOUR garden?

In many parts of the world, asbestos can naturally be found in the soil of gardens. However, this is not the case in the UK, asbestos is present in British gardens because it was deliberately put there by choice.

Asbestos was a very common material with a range of construction uses up until it was banned in 1999. In addition, it has been estimated that there is around a chance that your home contains asbestos if it predates 1999.

Keeping in mind, just because Asbestos is present, does not necessarily mean it is a cause for concern. In many cases, the condition and treatment of the material is the real cause for concern.

Asbestos poses a risk to you and others in its vicinity when it is disturbed, fractured, or damaged. This leads to Asbestos fibres being released into the atmosphere and once inhaled can get lodged in lung tissues.

Types of asbestos that can be found in gardens.

In most cases, it is bonded asbestos which is commonly found in domestic gardens in the UK. Whereas other forms of asbestos can be present but those are on rare occasions.

  1. Asbestos fencing

    Asbestos sheets/panels may have been used as a fence within gardens. Either fixed t wooden posts or leaned up against them. Either way, due to the nature of how fencing is exposed, it is at high risk of being damaged.

  2. Asbestos bordering

    Asbestos panels used to make boarders in gardens is another common find. In most cases the asbestos is dug into soil.

    Once again, due to the location of the bordering, it is at high risk of damage. Additionally, if the asbestos is broken it can contaminate the soil it’s positioned in.

  3. Asbestos within rockery

    We do sometimes find that asbestos has been broken up by a homeowner and laid at the bottom of the rockery. This is not normally discovered until a new homeowner moves in and plans a garden renovation.

    Clearance of asbestos debris is time-consuming and requires professionals to deal with the clean-up properly and safely.

  4. Asbestos within garage and shed bases

    You can sometimes find broken asbestos in the base of a garage or shed. Commonly found by new homeowners when they remove the old shed/garage.

    The broken asbestos can be loose within the base (under the flooring) or on rare occasions, we have removed asbestos which has been added to a concrete base!

    Clearance of asbestos debris or asbestos stuck in concrete requires professionals to deal with it to ensure it is cleaned up properly and safely.

  5. Asbestos Garages and Sheds

    Most common of all are asbestos garages and sheds.

    Wooden framed garage with asbestos on the roof and sides as well as a concrete garage with an asbestos roof.

    Wooden framed sheds with asbestos roof and sides as well as concrete sheds with an asbestos roof.

    A cost-effective way to deal with a concrete garage with asbestos roof is to have the roof replaced. Providing the structure is sound, you can prolong the life of the garage to save replacing it.

    Removal of asbestos garages and sheds gives you peace of mind as well as new space to utilize.

 
 

If you aren’t sure about the state of the Asbestos in your home, call an Asbestos Consultant in to give you a definite answer. Once you’re sure that the Asbestos is friable or not, make a plan about how you will deal with it. Contact us today and one of our experienced Asbestos Consultants will take you through the process and ensure you are safely dealing with your Asbestos.

If you're interested in learning more about asbestos check out our blog posts here or if you're working somewhere where asbestos exposure might be a concern, contact us for emergency response.

Our local teams can assist with any of the following asbestos-related works -

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