What Happens If You Disturb Asbestos?
If you disturb asbestos, tiny fibres can be released into the air. You usually can't see them, but once they are airborne, they can easily be breathed in. This is why damaged or disturbed asbestos is a serious risk and should always be handled with care.
Many people only find out asbestos is present after work has already started. In this guide, we explain why disturbed asbestos is dangerous, where it is often hidden in older properties, and what to do if you think you have accidentally disturbed it.
Why is disturbed asbestos dangerous?
Asbestos in good condition that is left alone usually presents a lower immediate risk. The problem starts when the material is damaged. Cutting, drilling, sanding, scraping or breaking asbestos can release fibres that settle on surfaces, mix with dust and travel into nearby rooms.
Breathing in asbestos fibres is linked to serious illnesses, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. These conditions can take many years to develop, which is why it is so important to avoid exposure in the first place. You can read more on our asbestos health effects page.
How does asbestos get disturbed by accident?
Accidentally disturbed asbestos is more common than most people think. It often happens during everyday jobs such as:
- DIY projects and home renovations
- Refurbishment or demolition work
- Drilling into walls or ceilings
- Lifting old floor tiles
- Scraping off textured coatings
- Working on pipe lagging, insulation boards, soffits, garage roofs, or cement sheets
Even a small job can expose asbestos if you are not aware it's there.
Where may asbestos be hidden in older properties?
Asbestos was widely used in UK buildings until it was banned in 1999, so any property built or refurbished before 2000 could contain it. Across East Anglia, we regularly find it in both domestic buildings and commercial buildings.
Common places include:
- Artex and textured coatings on ceilings and walls
- Garage roofs and sheds
- Floor tiles and adhesive
- Soffits and boxing
- Cement sheets and roofing products
- Pipe insulation, wall panels, ceiling boards and insulation boards
If you are planning work on an older property, it is always sensible to check for asbestos first. A residential asbestos survey or a refurbishment and demolition survey will tell you what is present before any work begins.
What to do if you think you have disturbed asbestos
If you suspect asbestos has been disturbed, stop and keep everyone away from the area. Do not try to clean it up yourself, as sweeping or vacuuming can spread fibres further.
We recommend that you:
- Stop work immediately
- Leave the material and any debris where it is
- Keep people and pets out of the area
- Close doors to the room if you can do so safely
- Do not use a household vacuum, brush or duster
- Get professional advice as soon as possible
If you are not sure whether the material contains asbestos, our asbestos testing service can confirm it quickly for you.
Why you shouldn't try and deal with it yourself
Trying to remove or tidy up disturbed asbestos on your own can make the situation worse. The right response depends on the type of material, its condition, where it is and how badly it has been damaged.
Some materials can be safely sealed through asbestos encapsulation, while others need full asbestos removal. Higher-risk materials must be handled by a licensed asbestos removal contractor under the UK asbestos regulations.
How we can help
We are a family-run business that has been helping homeowners, landlords, duty holders and commercial customers across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex since 2001. We hold a full licence from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and are an accredited member of the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA).
If you are dealing with an urgent issue, our team is available around the clock to respond to emergencies, and we aim to keep disruption to a minimum. Once work is complete, we can also handle safe asbestos collection and disposal.
Speak to us today
If you are worried that asbestos has been disturbed, do not leave it to chance. Call us on 01493 441404, email sales@idasbestos.com or send us an enquiry and we will help you take the next step safely. All our quotations are free and with no obligation.
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