Asbestos Testing
Professional sampling and asbestos testing for residential, commercial and industrial properties. Get in touch for your free quote today.
Safe Sample Collection
Asbestos sampling that’s safe, clean and efficient.
UKAS Accredited Testing
All samples accurately tested in a UKAS accredited laboratory.
Qualified and Professional
Asbestos testing at affordable prices by a qualified professional.
Why use Guard for testing asbestos?
I offer a professional and friendly asbestos testing service as a qualified and experienced asbestos surveyor.
You can expect a clean and efficient process and accurate testing of all suspected asbestos materials.
Asbestos testing is suitable for all types of property and gives you peace of mind when it comes to determining the presence of asbestos in your home or commercial property.
All sample collections are carried out in accordance with the latest asbestos regulations and safety protocols. Suspected asbestos materials are tested in a UKAS accredited laboratory facility for the highest levels of accuracy.
Guard serves the Rochdale and Greater Manchester areas, carrying out asbestos testing for residential, commercial and industrial properties.
Asbestos testing for Greater Manchester
I pride myself on providing a local service to local people and businesses. Based in Rochdale, Guard services are available across all areas of Greater Manchester, including:
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Rochdale
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Oldham
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Bury
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Bolton
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Prestwich
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Middleton
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Littleborough
Asbestos Testing
What is asbestos testing?
Asbestos testing is a process which confirms the presence or absence of asbestos in suspected asbestos containing materials (ACMs).
Any suspected ACMs must be inspected immediately. Make sure you contact a professional about suspected asbestos in your home, workplace or industrial unit.
The sampling process
First, a sample of the suspected asbestos containing material must be taken and bagged up in a clear, resealable plastic bag. This could be a floor tile, textured coatings, pipe lagging or other item.
Your asbestos surveyor will take great care to ensure asbestos particles are not released by the material during the sampling process.
Analysis of samples
Collected samples are stored in a clear asbestos waste bag and sent to a UKAS accredited laboratory, where high-quality testing can be assured.
I then provide you with a detailed report on the sampling results and recommend a compliant asbestos management plan where appropriate.
What are we testing for?
There are three main types of asbestos that can be found in materials:
- Chrysotile (white asbestos): found in roofs, ceilings, floors, partition walls, gaskets, boiler seals, and insulation.
- Crocidolite (blue asbestos): found in some spray-on coatings, pipe insulation, plastic and asbestos cement products and some construction materials.
- Amosite (brown asbestos): found in cement sheets and insulation boards, ceiling tiles and thermal insulation products.
Blue and brown asbestos are considered more dangerous than white asbestos. Though asbestos of any kind is harmful.
Examples of asbestos containing materials
Asbestos containing materials are commonly found in properties built around the 1970s period. It is found in all sorts of products such as:
- Textured and sprayed coatings
- Insulation board
- Cement
- Pipes and lagging
- Artex ceilings
- Ceilings
- Floor tiles
- Damp-proof course
Should I do it myself?
Guard does not recommend dealing with asbestos yourself in any circumstance. Asbestos is an incredibly dangerous material, especially when you are not qualified.
Protocols, regulations, and specialist PPE and equipment are all considered by your surveyor when you employ Guard Environmental for your asbestos requirements.
Asbestos Testing: When and Why
When should I test for asbestos?
Asbestos testing and asbestos surveys go hand in hand. If you are having a survey done, your surveyor will recommend testing any suspected asbestos containing materials.
In general though, asbestos testing is crucial before carrying out:
- Remedial works
- Refurbishment or renovation
- Demolition of a building
If you are the duty holder of a property, such as a landlord or owner of your own business premises, asbestos testing may be part of your ongoing asbestos management plan.
Asbestos testing could also be requested by buyers if you are selling a property, as part of their building survey processes.
Why is asbestos testing important?
Health consequences
The release of fibres from asbestos containing materials leads to increased risk of respiratory issues.
Exposure to asbestos can be fatal, or cause serious conditions such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Suspected asbestos must be tested and treated as soon as possible.
Risk of structural damage
In addition to health risks, asbestos can cause significant damage to the integrity of a building.
Asbestos fibres can weaken the material they are present in, leading to structural instability and collapse. Testing for asbestos is essential.
What about at-home asbestos testing kits?
Using an asbestos testing kit at home or in your business property is not as reliable as using a professional service. From the initial sampling to the laboratory used (not always a UKAS accredited lab), there’s a lot of room for error with a DIY testing kit.
With the average asbestos testing kit costing anywhere from £20 to £100, plus the time you must put aside for taking a sample yourself, it’s well worth hiring a qualified professional to take care of the process as whole.
According the HSE website, taking samples yourself is only remotely safe if the suspect material has already broken off and does not pose a risk of spreading debris, fibres of particles. However, if you are not a trained professional, it may be difficult to judge.
Safety risks of asbestos testing kits:
In addition to accuracy, the main concern with a testing kit is the potential exposure to asbestos:
- Often, the PPE supplied is not sufficient to protect you against the asbestos present.
- Lack of suitable gloves and masks, in particular, increases risk of exposure and inhalation of fibres.
- Collecting samples without the proper equipment and sealants risks releasing asbestos fibres and particles into the environment.
- Microscopic asbestos fibres are incredibly hard to spot if you are not a qualified surveyor
Book your asbestos testing appointment with Guard
Asbestos testing is best carried out by a professional for the safest and most effective outcome. With Guard you receive a personal, quality service as well as useful guidance and instructions about the best way to manage asbestos in your property.
- 5-Star Rated Company
- Comprehensive Service
- Detailed Reports
- Friendly Service
- Competitive Pricing
- Serving Local Areas
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