Asbestos Removal in Romford

Romford, situated in the London borough of Havering, disposed of approximately 82,000 tonnes of hazardous waste last year. We often do not think of hazardous waste, we see it as something that we do not need to worry about, however, one of the most common types of hazardous waste in the workplace and in and around the home is asbestos. Asbestos is a material made of microscopic fibres and had been used extensively in construction until it was banned in 1999. Commercial buildings and houses constructed before 2000 are the most likely places to find asbestos, as construction workers used it for insulation, flooring, roofing and in a number of other places like pipes and boilers.

Prolonged exposure to asbestos that has been disturbed can cause serious long-term illnesses and diseases. However, as asbestos was used mainly in insulation, many people do not know that there is asbestos in their house. Havering does not have its own asbestos collection service, however, due to its threat to public health, it is essential that the council provide a service that will remove asbestos. For this reason, Havering Council encourages its residents to use the City of London asbestos collection service. Asbestos removal shall always be left to professionals. The Havering borough council website provides a link to a list of some registered specialists in and around the Romford area, and the Gerpin’s Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre does accept small amounts of asbestos for disposal. Remember always to call ahead if you plan to dispose of asbestos at a public recycling site.

Here at Wayst, we help residents and business owners in Romford dispose of their asbestos by connecting them with our network of expertly trained asbestos removal teams. We always suggest using a professional service when it comes to removing hazardous material like asbestos from your home or business, due to the duty of care laws and regulations. Wayst also ensures that our partners dispose of asbestos in an environmentally friendly way that is in accordance with our company ethos of preserving our environment and creating a more sustainable waste industry.

It is estimated that around 13 people a day die of an asbestos-related illness in the UK, it’s vital to treat asbestos with care and always check that an area is asbestos free before having construction work carried out in your home or business. The danger of asbestos is rarely an immediate one, as most illnesses related to it stem from periods of long term exposure. If asbestos is undisturbed, it is usually harmless.

The danger from asbestos comes when it is broken or damaged, and the tiny fibres escape into the air. Once breathed in, these fibres can cause damage and scarring to the throat and lungs. This can result in lung cancers similar to those caused by smoking, as well as asbestosis, a painful respiratory issue that worsens over many years and causes shortness of breath. These illnesses are most common in tradespeople who work on houses that contain asbestos, so you must conduct thorough checks and research on your home or business before hiring someone to work on it.

Estimates suggest that almost 50% of all UK homes have some form of asbestos inside. The older the house or building is, the more likely it is to contain some asbestos due to its wide use over many years and relatively recent ban. If you wish to conduct renovations on your home or business, or if you suspect that it may contain asbestos, it is essential to do an asbestos check. Asbestos was most commonly used in insulation, roofing, boilers and pipes. Still, it is also important to check other areas of your property like a shed or garage, especially if you plan on having it removed.

If you suspect that asbestos may be present in insulation material, for example, it is difficult to confirm visually. Havering council suggests that you have the materials tested before attempting to interact with them. This can be done by conducting a test through a licensed asbestos surveyor. There are not many of these surveyors or specialised testing facilities in Romford, but most offer their services across the city. An asbestos testing lab must be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act.

If you need to have asbestos removed from your home or business, the method of removal may depend on the condition of the asbestos. If the material is in good condition, then it may be possible to encase it to prevent any future damage or dust escaping, reducing the potential risks significantly compared to disturbing it during removal. An unlicensed contractor could also legally help with removing asbestos cement or similar asbestos product as long as the condition is not too bad.

At Wayst, we strongly advise leaving any work with asbestos to our licenced asbestos removal partners. Not only are they trained extensively in the correct procedures of asbestos removal, but they also come equipped with the correct PPE, like respirators and other useful tools for the job. Our asbestos removal teams use specialised vacuum tools to ensure that none of the potentially deadly dust is left behind, along with mopping and wiping down areas that have come into contact with the asbestos. Our partners then transport the asbestos to a removal site to be safely disposed of.

The prices for asbestos removal will vary depending on the amount of asbestos that must be removed. Removal of asbestos can range from £350+VAT up to £1000+VAT. For example, removing a garage roof starts at just under £400+VAT. Conversely, removal of asbestos Artex (a decorative surface coating) from the ceiling of two rooms can cost up to £2000+VAT.