Can Removing a Tree Cause Foundation Problems?

Many homeowners plant or maintain trees in their gardens, but they don’t always realise the impact they can have on a property. If a tree grows too high, it can prevent light from entering your home, for example. However, planting a tree too close to a building can result in tree roots disrupting the foundations. Removing larger trees from your garden might seem like the obvious solution but this, in Read More…

How To Lay Foundations For An Extension

The foundations of a property may not be visible, but they’re one of the most important aspects of any structure. Built beneath the ground, they ensure the building is firmly in place and that the weight of the property is distributed evenly. If you decide to extend your property, you’ll need to lay new foundations, as well as building the additional structure. Regardless of whether you’re adding a one, two, Read More…

How Is Asbestos Made?

Used worldwide, asbestos was commonly used in the construction industry until the 1980s. Although it has been used for centuries, it wasn’t until relatively recently that the health hazards associated with asbestos become apparent. Despite this, asbestos continues to be produced, exported, and used in some areas of the world.   Where Does Asbestos Come From? Asbestos is a natural material and can be found on every continent. Typically, it’s Read More…

How Many Common Types of Asbestos Were Available?

Most people are familiar with the term ‘asbestos’, but few people realise that there are actually many different types of the mineral. In the UK, six types of asbestos were commonly used prior to the 1980s – chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. However, chrysotile, also known as ‘white asbestos’, was the most common. What Are Serpentine and Amphibole Asbestos? Amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite are referred to Read More…

What Buildings Have Asbestos?

Before the use of asbestos was banned, it was widely used throughout the construction industry. Although the health hazards of asbestos became well-known in the 1980s, it wasn’t until 1999 that chrysotile, or white asbestos, was banned in the UK. Due to this, any buildings constructed before the year 2000 are highly likely to contain some form of asbestos. The use of blue asbestos and brown asbestos was banned in Read More…

What Colour is Asbestos Insulation?

Prior to 2000, asbestos was widely used in the construction industry, which means it’s present in a significant number of buildings that were erected before this time. However, asbestos comes in many different forms, including white asbestos, brown asbestos, and blue asbestos. Both white and brown asbestos were commonly used as an insulation material within residential homes and commercial buildings, so you might want to look out for these coloured Read More…

What Is Asbestos Made From?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that’s found in rocks all over the world. It typically forms in the cracks in soft rock formations and consists of strands of fibrous materials. When asbestos was commonly used, however, it was processed before it could be applied in commercial settings. This means that it was often mixed with other materials so that it became more versatile and usable.         Read More…

What Is Asbestos Made Of?

Although many people are aware that asbestos is dangerous and is often found in buildings, they don’t always realise exactly what it is. In fact, many people assume that asbestos is a man-made material. However, asbestos is actually a natural mineral that’s found in rock formations all over the world. It consists of fibrous crystals that form in strands, with each one being made up of microscopic fibrils.     Read More…

What Type of Asbestos Is Found in Thermal Insulation?

Thermal insulation is commonly used in buildings to maintain a stable temperature. By adding insulation, builders and contractors can ensure that a structure doesn’t lose or gain an excessive amount of heat. The insulation in your home prevents it from getting too hot in the summer, for example, and helps to keep it warm during the colder months. Today, mineral wool, fibreglass, polystyrene, cellulose, and polyurethane foam are commonly used Read More…

What Year Was White Asbestos Banned in the UK?

You might be aware that asbestos is no longer used in the UK, but many people are surprised to learn just how recently it was banned. While some forms of asbestos, notably crocidolite and amosite, were banned in 1985, white asbestos continued to be used for some time after this. In fact, it wasn’t until 1999 that the importation, manufacture, and use of white asbestos was banned in the UK. Read More…