Why worry about asbestos in the home?
If your property is more than 15 years old, it's possible that it contains materials made from asbestos.
Common locations are listed below but there may be others in your home - so if in doubt leave well alone and seek expert help. Phone Environmental Services using the details below.
This advice is aimed at house holders. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) have produced a number of leaflets which are more appropriate for businesses. Go to the HSE website
Common locations of asbestos:
- Asbestos cement on garage or shed roofs.
- Asbestos cement shed and garage wall panels.
- Asbestos cement drain pipes.
- Asbestos cement or Insulation board soffit, infill panels and partitions.
- Asbestos cement on the side of bath panels.
If your home is rented, your landlord may have relevant information.
What to do if you have asbestos in your home
- The general rule is to always leave asbestos alone, it's usually safe unless it's damaged or disturbed.
- Paint indoor materials with an alkali resistant paint such as PVA emulsion, and never sand, drill or saw asbestos materials.
- Always seek advice before thinking of removing asbestos and follow the basic rules below if carrying out asbestos cement removal work. Do not attempt to remove asbestos lagging, spray coatings or large areas of Insulation Board by yourself as these materials can only be safely removed by a licensed contractor.
Disposal of asbestos garages by members of the public
1. Asbestos garages are generally made of asbestos cement – relatively low content of asbestos at 10 – 15%. The asbestos is usually in the form of corrugated roof sheets and wall cladding.
2. The garage should be dismantled NOT demolished i.e. the panels removed intact rather than broken into smaller pieces. This will minimise the release of asbestos fibres to the atmosphere.
3. It is recommended that the panels are sprayed with water before dismantling, to minimise fibre release, for example, use garden a hose. Alternatively dismantle just after or during rain.
4. Disposable overalls, a disposable face mask (for use with asbestos) and gloves should be worn to minimise exposure during dismantling.
5. Power tools and saws should not be used, in order to minimise release of any fibres.
6. The asbestos waste should be wrapped in heavy-duty polythene sheets or bags, and sealed with tape. Overalls etc. should be disposed of in a similar manner.
7. Members of the public can dispose of asbestos waste free of charge at civic amenity sites. There is a skip at each site designated for asbestos waste alone. It is a good idea to inform the site before taking large amounts of asbestos waste.
- Fernhill, Every Street, Bury – 0161 705 1125
- Drinkwater Park, Clifton Road, Prestwich – 0161 798 0384
All have a height restriction of 5' 9''.
8. Disposal of asbestos waste is controlled by Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA), Manchester Chambers, Oldham - 0161 911 3581. GMWDA can provide contractors and members of the public with further advice or information.
9. We have an Environment Agency leaflet available 'Asbestos Waste from the Home' which can be posted out to people enquiring about domestic asbestos disposal.
10. Bury Competitive Services do not provide a service for collecting asbestos waste due to the expense of disposal by a commercial operation.
11. If members of the public hire a skip and intend to put asbestos cement in it, they should inform the skip company. In this case the skip will have to be taken to a licensed tip for disposal which may be more expensive.
Asbestos Do's and Don'ts
- Don't panic if you think you have asbestos in your home - it's usually only a problem if it's disturbed.
- Do treat asbestos with respect.
- Don't drill, saw or disturb materials that contain asbestos.
- Do seek advice if you think you've got a problem with asbestos in your home.
How to contact us
Bury MBC
Environmental Services
Textile Hall
Manchester Road
Bury
BL9 0DG
Phone: 0161 253 5566
Fax: 0161 253 5563
E-mail: environmentalhealth@bury.gov.uk
On-line: make a comment or request advice
