Asbestos was once considered a question material for its insulating and fire-resistant properties. However, in the 1970s, it had been unearthed that exposure to asbestos could cause a selection of health issues, including cancer and respiratory diseases. This generated a ban on the usage of asbestos in many countries, including the US, UK, and Australia. However, many buildings constructed prior to the ban may still contain asbestos. For this reason, an asbestos survey is an important tool for everyone looking to purchase or renovate a house built before the ban. In this blog post, we'll cover all you need to learn about
asbestos testing.

What's an asbestos survey?
An asbestos survey is just a detailed inspection of a building to ascertain the presence and condition of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Asbestos surveys are usually carried out by trained asbestos surveyors. You can find two kinds of asbestos surveys: management surveys and refurbishment/demolition surveys.
A management survey is the standard survey required for many non-domestic properties. Its purpose is to discover the presence, extent and condition of asbestos-containing materials within the building that could be disturbed during normal occupancy or routine maintenance. On one other hand, a refurbishment/demolition survey is needed before any renovation or demolition work, as this may involve disturbing the building fabric, which may release asbestos fibers in the air.
Why do you want an asbestos survey?
If you're planning to purchase, renovate or demolish home built before the asbestos ban, you want to get an asbestos survey done. This is because if asbestos occurs and not managed properly, it may pose a substantial risk to the healthiness of those that live or work in the building. In addition, if you own a commercial property, it is really a legal requirement to have asbestos management survey done at regular intervals and keep a record of the findings.
What does an asbestos survey involve?
An asbestos survey involves a visible inspection of the building, including the fabric of the building, as well as any accessible voids and spaces that'll contain asbestos. The surveyor will even take examples of any suspected materials for analysis in a laboratory. The surveyor will provide you with a detailed report of these findings, including the positioning, extent, condition and any recommendations for managing or removing any identified ACMs.
What should you do if asbestos is located?
If asbestos is found, you shouldn't panic. It is very important to consider that asbestos-containing materials which are in good shape and left undisturbed should not pose a significant risk to health. However, if the asbestos is damaged, or you're planning renovation or demolition work, you might need to have the material removed. It is important to utilize a licensed asbestos removal contractor with this work.

Conclusion:
An asbestos survey is an important tool for everyone buying, renovating or demolishing home built ahead of the asbestos ban. It can also be a legal requirement for commercial property owners to own regular asbestos management surveys done. If asbestos is available, it will not be considered a cause for panic provided that it's not disturbed. However, if you need to eliminate the asbestos, it is essential to use a licensed contractor to guarantee the work is completed safely and in compliance with the relevant regulations.