What to Do If You Find Asbestos

What Should You Do If You Find Asbestos During a Refurbishment Project?

Discovering asbestos during a refurbishment or redevelopment project can feel like a major setback. However, the most important thing is not to disturb it. Taking the right action immediately protects the health of everyone on site, helps you comply with UK legislation and prevents unnecessary delays to your project.

Whether you're planning a school refurbishment, converting commercial premises or redeveloping an industrial building, knowing what to do if you find asbestos can save significant time, money and risk.

At Pacy & Wheatley, we've safely managed asbestos removal as part of refurbishment projects across multiple sectors, allowing clients to continue with confidence while ensuring full compliance with health and safety regulations.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is the name given to a group of naturally occurring minerals that were widely used in UK construction between the 1950s and late 1990s. It was valued for its fire resistance, insulation properties and durability, making it common in thousands of commercial, public and residential buildings.

You may find asbestos in:

• Ceiling and floor tiles
• Pipe lagging and insulation
• Textured coatings
• Roofing sheets and panels
• Cement products
• Fire doors
• Boiler insulation
• Wall partitions
• Sprayed coatings
• Soffits and gutters

Although asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, many existing buildings still contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).

Why Is Asbestos Dangerous?

Asbestos only becomes hazardous when fibres are released into the air and breathed in. This can happen during demolition, refurbishment, drilling, cutting or accidental damage.

Exposure can lead to serious illnesses including:

• Mesothelioma
• Asbestos-related lung cancer
• Asbestosis
• Pleural thickening

These diseases often develop decades after exposure, which is why asbestos must always be treated seriously.

What to Do If You Find Asbestos

If you suspect you've found asbestos, resist the temptation to investigate further yourself.

Instead, follow these steps:

1. Stop Work Immediately

Any work that could disturb the material should cease straight away. Continuing work increases the likelihood of releasing dangerous fibres into the air.

This applies whether you're:

• Refurbishing offices
• Extending a school
• Renovating healthcare facilities
• Converting retail units
• Redeveloping industrial premises

Pausing work early is always preferable to creating a larger health and compliance issue.

2. Keep People Away

Restrict access to the affected area immediately.

If possible:

• Close doors
• Prevent unnecessary movement nearby
• Inform staff and contractors
• Avoid creating dust

The fewer people entering the area, the lower the risk of exposure.

3. Don't Disturb the Material

A common mistake is attempting to check whether a material contains asbestos by breaking or scraping it.

Never:

• Drill into it
• Cut it
• Sand it
• Sweep debris
• Vacuum dust using standard equipment

Even small disturbances can release microscopic fibres.

4. Arrange a Professional Asbestos Survey

Only a qualified asbestos survey can confirm whether a material contains asbestos.

The survey will identify:

• Whether asbestos is present
• The type of asbestos-containing material
• Its condition
• The level of risk
• Whether removal or management is the most appropriate option

This information allows informed decisions before work continues.

5. Follow the Recommended Action

Not all asbestos automatically requires removal.

In some situations, asbestos in good condition can be safely managed and monitored.

However, if refurbishment or demolition will disturb it, removal is usually required before construction can proceed safely.

An experienced contractor can coordinate this process while minimising disruption to your programme.

Why Early Planning Saves Time and Money

One of the biggest causes of refurbishment delays isn't finding asbestos—it's discovering it unexpectedly after work has already started.

Building owners who commission refurbishment and demolition surveys before works begin often benefit from:

• More accurate project costs
• Fewer programme delays
• Better contractor coordination
• Reduced health and safety risks
• Improved legal compliance

This proactive approach helps keep projects moving rather than reacting to unexpected discoveries halfway through construction.

Asbestos Removal as Part of a Complete Refurbishment Project

At Pacy & Wheatley, asbestos removal isn't treated as an isolated service.

It's integrated into wider refurbishment and construction programmes, allowing projects to progress safely and efficiently with one experienced team coordinating every stage.

This joined-up approach reduces delays, improves communication and gives clients confidence that compliance and construction are being managed together.

We've delivered asbestos removal within complex live environments, including:

• Minsthorpe Community College, South Elmsall, where asbestos removal formed part of a wider refurbishment programme designed to improve educational facilities while maintaining safe project delivery.
• A care home in Staffordshire, where asbestos removal was carefully coordinated as part of refurbishment works, ensuring safety remained the priority for residents, staff and contractors throughout the project.

These projects demonstrate the importance of careful planning, clear communication and experienced project management when asbestos is discovered.

Who Is Responsible for Managing Asbestos?

For non-domestic buildings, the legal responsibility usually sits with the person who manages or controls the premises.

This may include:

• Building owners
• Landlords
• Facility managers
• Managing agents
• Employers
• Duty holders under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

Understanding these responsibilities is essential before any refurbishment or maintenance work begins.

Signs Your Building May Contain Asbestos

Your property may require further investigation if:

• It was built or refurbished before 2000.
• Original insulation or ceiling materials remain.
• You're planning demolition or structural alterations.
• Previous asbestos records are unavailable.
• Building materials appear damaged or deteriorating.

If you're unsure, professional advice is always the safest option.

Why Experience Matters

Managing asbestos requires far more than simply removing hazardous materials.

Successful projects depend on careful planning, regulatory compliance, effective communication and seamless integration with the wider construction programme.

At Pacy & Wheatley, our experience across healthcare, education, commercial, industrial and residential projects means we understand how to deliver refurbishment works safely while keeping disruption to a minimum. By managing asbestos removal alongside broader construction activities, we help clients maintain momentum, reduce risk and achieve successful project outcomes.

Speak to Pacy & Wheatley Before Your Project Begins

If you're planning a refurbishment, redevelopment or fit-out and are unsure whether asbestos may be present, don't wait until work has started.

The earlier asbestos is identified and managed, the safer, more efficient and more cost-effective your project will be.

Contact Pacy & Wheatley today to discuss your project with our experienced team. We'll help you assess the risks, plan the safest approach and deliver your refurbishment with confidence from start to finish.