Known to hide under roof tiles or artex. Asbestos There is one thing that all homeowners want to avoid being exposed to during renovations.
Dangerous, often expensive to remove and adding potential delays to plans, usually involving calling in professionals to deal with them, throw a spanner in the works for many homeowners.
And, just to add insult to injury, it can also hide in unexpected places in your home, meaning it can be quite a shock when it’s discovered. Find out where it might have been used in your home and what to do if you find it.
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Places where you can uncover asbestos on the exterior of your home
Asbestos can be found both inside and outside your home, and it often comes up during a survey, which Laura Crombie, brand director of Homebuilding and Renovating, experienced when she bought her property.
“When we bought our most recent renovation we were told there was asbestos in a number of places,” she explains. “It was discovered in a Chimney linerAnd the survey also revealed that asbestos boards were used for soffits and fascias.”
with Asbestos roof tiles, it is not uncommon to find it in the roof construction of older properties. But, where can you uncover it?
“There are many areas outside the project that could be an asbestos hazard,” says Jamie Gately, owner of the company. JG Asbestos Services and recipient of the ‘Trade Champion’ award at Verified trade Awards 2025.
“Also in soffits and fascias, where asbestos can be found in insulating board (AIB) or asbestos cement eaves, roofing materials including corrugated asbestos cement sheets (often found on garages and sheds), roofing felt and tiles are possible candidates,” he says.
Additionally, Jamie says it can also be found in the following locations:
- External window panels: AIB or asbestos cement around windows
- Sewers and downpipes: Asbestos cement stormwater systems
- external wall cladding: Exterior cement siding or paneling
What to do if you find or suspect it outside your home
“As a general rule, customers should always engage a professional to carry out a survey and UKAS accredited testing if they suspect any asbestos,” says Jamie Gately. “Attempts to remove artefacts are unsafe as any broken asbestos material proves a serious health hazard.
“There are a few ways to identify asbestos in certain situations, but it’s important to remember that once you find it, you should engage a professional,” he emphasizes.
“It’s worth remembering that most asbestos materials can’t be identified visually – especially if you’re inexperienced. For example, asbestos insulation board and modern fire board can look the same. Proper analysis is always recommended.”
And, if you’ve got it in one place, that doesn’t mean you’ve solved the problem, Jamie continues.
“Corrugated asbestos cement sheeting, for example, is commonly used Garage roof and outbuildings, is one of the most common forms of asbestos, but it can be present in a variety of roofing materials,” he says.
“While some tiles may contain manufacturer’s markings indicating asbestos content, they are not always visible or present,” he warns. “Professional surveying is key when it comes to identification.”
It is the company’s credibility that is also important to avoid using its services Rogue companies that may claim asbestos exists when it doesn’t As a means of earning money.
Cement pipes are another example where you can miss the fact that asbestos exists in your renovation, Jamie continues.
“Asbestos cement pipes have certain characteristics that identify them,” Jamie explains. “These include a gray appearance, a rough or slightly fibrous texture (more visible on damaged edges), are heavier and more brittle than modern alternatives, and often have thick walls with a dull, chalky finish.
“However, and this is where confusion can arise. Asbestos cement and modern fiber cement can look the same to the untrained eye,” he warns. “If you suspect asbestos due to any of these symptoms, or you’re working in an older building, it’s really important to contact a professional for testing and removal.”
Does it always have to be removed?
Calling a professional for help and advice doesn’t always mean you have to pay the full cost of removal.
“If removal is too expensive, asbestos can often be managed safely using methods such as sealing or enclosure,” confirms Jamie Gately. “Sealing involves applying a specialist coating to lock the fibre, while enclosure means covering or boxing the material to prevent damage or disturbance.
“This is only appropriate if the asbestos is in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed,” he adds, “otherwise, removal may be required.”
In the case of Laura Crombie, she was able to avoid this with the roof when she paid to have the asbestos chimney liner removed. “We had a quote for £6,500 to safely remove it from the soffits and fascias with a licensed removalist. However, a roofer recommended we put on plastic sheeting instead. We followed this advice which cost us around £2,000, saving us time and a significant amount of money in the process.”
Jamie is a trained, vetted asbestos removal professional with experience in asbestos testing, surveys and safe removal services for domestic and commercial properties. He has been a valued CheckTrade member for 3 years, and has previously won two awards, including the 2025 Trade Champion Award.
Laura Crombie
Laura Crombie is the content director for Homebuilding & Renovating and a home journalist for over 17 years. She has renovated three properties through DIY and has written about decorating and design for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Metro.
Places where asbestos can hide inside your home
The use of asbestos in homes is more recent than you might think, not being banned until 2000. And, in 2024, it was estimated. Still located in over 1.5 million buildings across the UKIt has many residential properties.
As it was considered a common building material, it is not uncommon to find it in many places inside your home, some of which you might not expect.
Asbestos in Artex Ceilings is widely documented, but may also be well hidden elsewhere as Laura Crombie also discovered by accident.
“I posted a video on Instagram of us getting ripped off Vinyl floor Discovered a hidden safe in our utility room and downstairs. Someone made a comment about the flooring containing asbestos which surprised us because we had no idea, and we had already torn it up.
“A lot of vinyl in the 70s and 80s had asbestos, especially in the backing. It’s generally fine, although the recommended advice is of course to remove it properly and not rip it off,” says Laura. “It was a little late for us, but if you’re renovating an older home with vinyl or lino flooring it’s worth considering doing some more investigating.”
Jamie Gately adds that bitumen adhesives under flooring can also contain asbestos, and AIB panels can be found under flooring when lifted.
Where Can Asbestos Be Hiding Inside Your Home?
So where else could potential asbestos hotspots be in older homes? Jamie Gately says the following locations can be risk factors.
1. Places where AIB can be used
- around Boiler
- partition walls
- Ceiling closet
- Bath panels
- Behind the fuse box
- Under the floor
2. Asbestos cement
- Water tanks (lofts/airing cupboards)
- Bath panels
3. In electrical components
If your home needs renovation rewiring, Most of which do to stick to the present Building RegulationsYou can also release asbestos in the process.
It certainly came as a shock to me when I was showing a builder where to find the main electricity meter in a property, and when he saw it, he told me to open the asbestos boarded cupboard as little as possible.
“One place people might not expect asbestos is in electrical components,” confirms Jamie Gately. “It was widely used when it came to fuse boxes and wiring. Fuse boxes and switchgear could be mounted on AIB backing panels and old wiring could have asbestos-containing cable insulation.“
It can also be found in old Electric storage heaterSo be sure to check with your electrician beforehand to see if he is able to recognize it, and understands the steps needed to deal with it. Or, consider a whole-home asbestos survey for peace of mind.
4. In loose fill insulation
Upgrading your Home insulation It’s common practice for home renovators, whether you’re switching to a more energy efficient heat source eg Air source heat pumpOr just looking to make your home as tasteful as possible.
Loose fill insulation can also contain asbestos according to guidance found on the HSE website, where you can also find this handy diagram and guidance for potential asbestos locations in your home. It’s worth taking a look at before any major renovation project, even if your survey didn’t reveal asbestos. As experts and experienced renovators, Laura Crombie knows, it’s not always as obvious as you think.
FAQ
Can I remove asbestos myself?
“Although it is technically legal for homeowners to remove asbestos themselves, it is actively discouraged,” warns Jamie Gately. “This is because uncontrolled removal techniques and disposal can result in breaches of asbestos regulations, even in local settings.
“In general, only specialist asbestos contractors have the appropriate insurance, training and licenses to carry out asbestos removal works, even on materials classified as unlicensed.
“Along with the safety risks of asbestos removal, the process can involve additional risks where pipes are located at height or within confined spaces (eg lofts, service ducts or external walls). It’s important to keep that in mind if you suspect you have any asbestos, or if you’re inspecting an old property or renovating a project,” he advises.
Renovating a home can be an extremely rewarding experience, but not without its pitfalls, such as the risk of asbestos. However, arming yourself with more knowledge in advance usually makes the process easier.
With that in mind, take some time to look Renovation truths every homeowner needs to knowAnd for best results, make sure you avoid 5 Things That Can Make Renovations Look Cheap And find out what you should do instead.
