We offer a full range of asbestos sampling and testing, and we come to you.
All samples are analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory working to ISO-17025.
Any material can be sampled and analysed for the presence of asbestos fibres.
• All types of asbestos sampling and asbestos testing
• Samples are analysed at a UKAS-accredited laboratory to ISO-17025
• Standard turnaround within three days.
• Emergency sampling
• Advice and guidance.
• We can turn around emergency sampling and the results within 24 hours.
• Contact HSG Surveys
Determining if a material contains asbestos fibres is only possible by sampling and associated testing. Asbestos fibres are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Artex
ARTEX was applied to ceilings and walls as a decorative coating in the 1970s and 1980s and is commonly found in domestic, residential, and commercial properties.
Asbestos in Textured Coating
Around 3-5% of chrysotile (White Asbestos) was added to the textured coating to strengthen the material.
Sampling the Textured Coating
Small samples are taken from different areas of the textured coating, placed into sample bags, and then analysed under powerful microscopes for asbestos fibres.
Vinyl tiles picture
Asbestos can also be found in vinyl floor tiles and vinyl sheets. Vinyl tiles were made by bonding asbestos with the vinyl. It was also typical for the bitumen adhesive used to lay the tiles to contain asbestos.
Why was asbestos used in floor tiles?
High-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms require durable and robust materials. Asbestos was a popular choice for flooring due to its strength and durability. However, it’s important to note that even non-asbestos flooring may have been installed using black mastic adhesive, which may contain asbestos.
Therefore, it’s crucial to be aware of the presence of asbestos when dealing with any kind of flooring.
When was it used?
Asbestos was commonly used in floor tiles between the 1920s and 1970s and can still be found in properties built before 2000. Once manufacturers became aware of asbestos regulations, they stopped producing these tiles. However, existing stockpiles of tiles were still used before the ban.
How do you tell if floor tiles contain asbestos?
Asbestos fibres in floor tiles are not visible to the naked eye. Therefore, sampling the product is the only way to determine if a floor tile contains asbestos.
What is asbestos cement?
Asbestos cement is a mixture of asbestos, mainly chrysotile (white asbestos), although crocidolite (blue asbestos) was also used, and cement. These materials were combined and shaped into various products, such as drainpipes, gutters, roof sheeting and wall cladding. Asbestos cement is mainly used on building exteriors and may pose a serious health hazard if damaged or improperly handled.
Asbestos cement typically has a grey or white appearance, resembling regular cement. It can be found in flat, corrugated sheets or shaped items like pipes. The exterior is hard, and it is not likely to break apart unless it is very old or damaged.
Here are some of the most common applications:
Roofing:
One of the most common uses for asbestos cement was in corrugated roofing sheets. These were particularly popular in industrial and agricultural buildings due to their durability and weather resistance.
Pipes:
Due to its durability and corrosion resistance, asbestos cement was also used for water pipes, sewer pipes, flue pipes, ductwork, and other conduits.
Sheets and Panels:
Flat asbestos cement sheets were commonly used for walls, ceilings, and floors, particularly in areas that required water resistance, such as bathrooms and kitchens. In addition, they were often used as a base for tiles.
Roof and floor Tiles:
Asbestos cement was used to manufacture durable and fire-resistant tiles for roofs and floors.