Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in UK buildings in the 1900s, popular due to its strength, heat resistance, and insulating properties. By the early 1900s, the dangers of asbestos started becoming known, but it wasn’t until 1999 when all types of asbestos were banned in the UK. This was due to the hazardous nature of asbestos fibres when disturbed and inhaled, as they can lead to serious health conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
If you own or manage a property built before the year 2000, there is a chance that asbestos could be present. That's where an asbestos testing kit comes in. Our DIY home asbestos testing kit provides a safe, simple, and cost-effective way to check if suspicious materials contain asbestos, with all analysis carried out in our UKAS-accredited laboratory for complete peace of mind.
Order your asbestos testing kit today and have it delivered straight to your door.
In this blog, we answer the most common questions about asbestos and asbestos testing kits, so you know when and how to use them.
A: A home asbestos testing kit is a carefully designed pack that enables you to collect a small sample of a material you suspect may contain asbestos. Once collected, the sample is sent to our professional UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis. Upon receiving the sample, we will email you a pdf results file, detailing your samples findings within 2-3 days.
Your kit will include:
All you need to provide is a simple hand tool (such as a screwdriver or Stanley knife), a spray bottle to dampen the area before sampling, and gaffer tape to enclose the sample point.
A: There are several situations where an asbestos test can provide you with reassurance that your property is safe, including:
Common places where asbestos is found include artex ceilings, cement roofing sheets, vinyl floor tiles, textured coatings, soffits, and garage roofs.
A: If your property was built before 2000, and you are planning works or have spotted suspicious materials, it is wise to carry out a test. Asbestos cannot be identified by sight alone, only laboratory analysis can confirm its presence.
A: Yes, our step-by-step instructions included in the kit and instruction video available here will show you everything you need to know to take your sample safely. Our asbestos testing kit includes PPE and safety guidance to help minimise disturbance. However, the kit must not be used for loose asbestos, sprayed coatings, or pipe insulation.
If you have any doubts about taking the sample yourself, get in touch with our team who can arrange an Asbestos Survey to be conducted by an accredited and experienced professional.
A: Our kits provide the same level of accuracy as a professional survey, because all analysis is performed in a UKAS-accredited laboratory using our standard methods.
A: Once your sample arrives at our laboratory, you will receive a clear report confirming whether asbestos is present within 2-3 days.
While you wait for your results, it is important that you do not disturb the area. Do not drill, cut, sand, or move any materials you suspect to contain asbestos.
A: Materials include:
A: Do not attempt to use the kit on:
A: Yes, you will need a basic screwdriver or Stanley knife to take the sample, a small spray bottle of water to dampen the material before cutting, and gaffer tape to enclose the sample point.
Do NOT use power tools to collect your sample.
A: If we identify that the sample is asbestos, we recommend the following:
A: Yes, our asbestos testing kits are available directly from our website and via Amazon with free standard delivery, making them quick and easy to order.
Order your DIY asbestos testing kit here.
* Please read the Asbestos Testing Kit Terms and Conditions carefully before purchasing. By proceeding with the purchase, you confirm that you have read and accepted these terms.