Discovering asbestos in your home or commercial property can be worrying, particularly if you don’t know the appropriate steps to follow in the aftermath. However, the steps you need to follow are simple. Because asbestos fibres are hazardous when released into the air, removal and disposal should always be approached with caution and by professional contractors like Cordtape Environmental.
While some asbestos containing materials (ACMs) can remain safely in place if they are in good condition, others may need to be removed and disposed of correctly to prevent exposure. Here’s what you need to know if you find asbestos in your property:
Do you always need to get rid of asbestos?
One of the biggest misconceptions about asbestos is that it must always be removed immediately; asbestos only becomes dangerous when fibres are released into the air, which usually happens when asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are damaged or disturbed.
If asbestos is in good condition, sealed, and unlikely to be disturbed, it can often be managed safely through regular inspections and monitoring rather than removal. This is known as managing asbestos in situ and is commonly recommended for domestic and commercial properties. For a closer look at when removal is and isn’t required, see our guide on whether asbestos always needs to be removed.
However, if the material is damaged, deteriorating, or likely to be affected by renovation or demolition work, removal may be the safest and most practical solution.
Can you remove asbestos yourself?
Whether you can remove asbestos yourself depends on the type of material involved and the work being carried out. Some lower risk asbestos materials may legally be removed without a licence under specific circumstances, but strict health and safety requirements still apply.
That being said, attempting to remove asbestos yourself is not recommended and can be illegal. Without the correct training, equipment, and disposal arrangements, disturbing asbestos can release dangerous fibres and increase the risk of exposure for everyone nearby.
Higher risk materials, including asbestos insulating board (AIB), pipe lagging, sprayed coatings, and loose fill insulation, require removal by licensed asbestos contractors.
If you are unsure whether a material contains asbestos, the safest approach is not to disturb it and arrange professional sampling or an asbestos survey before carrying out any work.
What should you never do if you find asbestos?
If you discover a material you suspect contains asbestos, your first instinct may be to remove it immediately. However, disturbing asbestos unnecessarily is often what creates the greatest risk.
Until the material has been professionally identified, you should avoid carrying out any work that could release fibres into the air. Even seemingly minor tasks can damage asbestos-containing materials and increase the risk of exposure.
If you suspect asbestos is present, you should never:
- Drill, cut, sand, or break the material.
- Sweep up asbestos dust or debris with a brush.
- Use a household vacuum cleaner to clean suspected asbestos, as this can spread fibres into the air.
- Pressure wash asbestos cement roofs or panels, as this can damage the surface and release fibres.
- Dispose of asbestos in household bins or general waste skips.
- Attempt DIY removal unless you are certain it is legal, appropriate, and you have the necessary knowledge and safety precautions in place.
How to identify the material
Before asbestos can be removed or disposed of, it first needs to be identified. Unfortunately, asbestos cannot usually be confirmed by appearance alone, as many asbestos containing materials look almost identical to modern alternatives.
A professional asbestos survey or sampling service can determine:
- Whether asbestos is present
- The type of asbestos-containing material
- Its condition
- The level of risk
- Whether removal is actually necessary
This prevents unnecessary disturbance and ensures the most appropriate management plan is put in place.
How is asbestos removed?
Professional asbestos removal follows carefully controlled procedures designed to minimise the release of fibres. The exact process varies depending on the type of asbestos involved, but the overall objective is always the same: to remove the material safely while protecting people and the surrounding environment.
Before work begins, the area must be isolated to prevent unauthorised access. Contractors will wear specialist personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE), and use techniques that minimise dust generation. Rather than breaking asbestos materials apart, they are removed as carefully and intact as possible wherever practical.
Throughout the removal process, contaminated materials are carefully packaged, sealed, and labelled before being transported to an authorised disposal facility.
For higher risk asbestos work, additional safety controls such as sealed enclosures and air monitoring may also be required. You can read a full step-by-step breakdown in our dedicated guide on how asbestos is removed.
How do you dispose of asbestos?
Removing asbestos is only part of the process. Once it has been taken out of a property, it must also be disposed of safely and legally.
Because asbestos is classified as hazardous waste, it cannot be placed in household bins, general skips, or mixed with ordinary construction waste. Improper disposal can create serious health risks.
Some local councils accept small amounts of bonded asbestos from householders, while others require residents to book dedicated collection services or use designated waste sites. Policies vary between local authorities, so it is always advisable to check local requirements before attempting to dispose of any asbestos waste.
Depending on the type and quantity of asbestos involved, disposal may include:
- Transport to a licensed hazardous waste facility
- Disposal through authorised local authority services
- Collection by a licensed asbestos contractor
How is asbestos packaged for disposal?
To reduce the risk of fibres escaping during transport, asbestos waste must be packaged carefully.
Typically, asbestos materials are:
- Wrapped or bagged using heavy duty approved packaging
- Sealed securely to prevent fibre release
- Clearly labelled as hazardous asbestos waste
- Transported separately from general waste
Damaged or broken asbestos requires particularly careful handling, as it is more likely to release fibres if moved incorrectly.
What happens if asbestos is illegally dumped?
Unfortunately, asbestos illegal dumping remains a problem across the UK. Roofing sheets, insulation boards, insulation fibres, and other asbestos containing materials are sometimes abandoned in fields, lay bys, woodland, or industrial areas to avoid disposal costs.
Illegal dumping creates risks for anyone who comes into contact with the waste and can result in significant clean up costs and legal penalties. Our guide on how to report illegal asbestos removal explains who to contact and how to protect yourself if you come across dumped material.
If you discover suspected dumped asbestos, you should:
- Avoid touching or moving the material
- Keep other people away from the area if possible
- Report it to your local authority or the relevant environmental body
- Never attempt to remove it yourself unless you are appropriately trained and authorised
Why professional asbestos removal is the safest option
Although some lower risk asbestos work may legally be carried out without a licence, professional removal provides several important advantages.
Qualified asbestos contractors have the training, equipment, and experience needed to minimise fibre release throughout the removal process. They also understand the legal requirements surrounding waste transport and disposal, helping property owners remain compliant with UK regulations.
Professional services can also reduce the likelihood of accidental contamination and provide reassurance that the work has been completed safely.
How much does it cost to get rid of asbestos?
The cost of getting rid of asbestos can vary considerably depending on the type of ACM and how complex the removal process will be. Because every property is different, there is no standard price for asbestos removal. As a general guide, small domestic jobs, such as removing a few asbestos floor tiles or a garage roof, often start from around £300 to £600, while larger non-licensed work like artex ceilings or loft insulation typically costs between £500 and £1,500. Bigger or licensed removal projects, such as extensive insulating board or sprayed coatings, can range from £2,000 to £10,000 or more depending on scale and complexity.
The most accurate way to understand potential costs is to arrange a professional asbestos survey or inspection. This allows the material to be identified and an appropriate removal plan to be prepared before any work begins.
What should you do if you discover asbestos?
If you suspect a material contains asbestos, avoid disturbing it until its identity has been confirmed. Drilling, sanding, cutting, or breaking suspect materials can release fibres into the air, increasing the risk of exposure.
Instead, you should:
1. Don’t disturb it: Asbestos is most dangerous when it is disturbed. Don’t attempt to remove or repair the material yourself.
2. Hire a professional: Get in touch with a licensed asbestos removal specialist who can safely assess, test, and remove any ACMs.
3. Get an asbestos survey: If you live in an older property, having a professional asbestos survey conducted can help you identify hidden asbestos risks.
4. Ensure safe disposal: Asbestos should only be removed and disposed of by certified professionals to ensure it is handled and disposed of safely.
Knowing how to get rid of asbestos starts with understanding that removal is not always the answer. In many cases, asbestos can be managed safely if it is in good condition and left undisturbed. However, when removal is necessary, it should always be carried out using appropriate safety procedures and disposed of through authorised waste facilities.
Whether you’re renovating an older property, managing a commercial building, or have simply discovered a material you suspect may contain asbestos, the safest first step is always professional assessment.
At Cordtape, we can assist you with locating and identifying Asbestos Containing Materials on your commercial premises with our Asbestos Survey and Sampling service. If we do locate the presence of asbestos, our Asbestos Removal team will extract it from your premises in accordance with Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Our team is fully qualified to manage all aspects of asbestos assessment, removal, refurbishment and waste management so you don’t need to live in fear of the risk this dangerous material poses.
Contact us today.
Email: info@cordtape.co.uk
Phone: 0114 243 1239
