Well known for lurking in places such as roof tiles or under Artex, asbestos is one thing all homeowners want to avoid uncovering during a renovation.
Dangerous, often costly to remove and adding potential delays to plans, dealing with it usually involves calling in the professionals, throwing a spanner in the works for many homeowners.
And, just to add insult to injury, it can even be hiding in your home in unexpected locations too, meaning it can come as a shock when it's uncovered. Find out where it might have been used in your home, and what to do if you discover it.
Article continues belowPlaces where you might uncover asbestos on the exterior of your home
Asbestos can be found both inside and outside your home, and it's often uncovered during a survey, something that Homebuilding & Renovating's brand director, Laura Crombie experienced when purchasing her property.
"We were told that there was asbestos in a number of locations when we bought our most recent renovation," she explains. "It was discovered in a chimney liner, and the survey also revealed asbestos boards had been used for the soffits and fascias."
Along with asbestos roof tiles, it's not uncommon to discover it in the roof construction of older properties. But, where else could you uncover it?
"There are several areas in the outside of a project that may be an asbestos risk," says Jamie Gatley, owner of JG Asbestos Services and recipient of the ‘Trade Champion’ Award at the Checkatrade Awards 2025.
"As well as in soffits and fascias, where Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB) or asbestos cement can be discovered in the eaves, roofing materials including corrugated asbestos cement sheets (often found on garages and sheds), roofing felt, and tiles are often likely candidates," he says.
In addition, Jamie says it can also be found in the following places:
- External window panels: AIB or asbestos cement around windows
- Gutters and downpipes: Asbestos cement rainwater systems
- External wall cladding: External cement siding or panelling
What to do if you find, or suspect it, on the exterior of your home
“As an overarching rule, consumers should always engage a professional to carry out a survey and UKAS Accredited testing if they suspect any asbestos," says Jamie Gatley. "Attempting amateur removal is unsafe as any broken asbestos material proves a serious health risk.
“There are a few ways to recognise asbestos in certain situations, but it’s important to remember that you must engage a professional once you spot it," he emphasises.
"It’s worth remembering that most asbestos materials can’t be identified by sight - especially if you’re inexperienced. For example, asbestos insulation boards and modern fire boards can look identical. Proper analysis is always recommended.”
And, if you've found it in one location, it doesn't mean you've solved the problem, continues Jamie.
“As an example, corrugated asbestos cement sheeting, commonly used on garage roofing and outbuildings, is one of the most typical forms of asbestos, but it may be present in various roofing materials," he says.
"While some tiles may include manufacturer markings indicating asbestos content, these are not always visible or present," he warns. "A professional survey is key when it comes to identification.”
It's the accreditation of the company that is key too in order to avoid employing the services of rogue companies who may claim asbestos exists when it doesn't as a means of making money.
Cement pipes are also another example where you may miss the fact asbestos exists in your renovation, continues Jamie.
“Asbestos cement pipes have some characteristics that identify it as such," explains Jamie. "These include a grey appearance, rough or slightly fibrous texture (more visible on damaged edges), they 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 happen. Asbestos cement and modern fibre cement can look identical to the untrained eye," he warns. "If you suspect asbestos due to one of these characteristics, or are 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 in a professional for help and advice doesn't always mean you will end up having to pay the full costs for removal however.
“If removal is too costly, asbestos can often be safely managed in place using methods like sealing, or enclosure," confirms Jamie Gatley. "Sealing involves applying a specialist coating to lock in fibres, while enclosure means covering or boxing in the material to prevent damage or disturbance.
"This is only suitable if the asbestos is in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed," he adds, "otherwise, removal may be necessary.”
In Laura Crombie's case, while she did pay for an asbestos chimney liner to be removed she was able to avoid this with the roof. "We had a quote of £6,500 to safely remove it from the soffits and fascias with licensed disposal. However, a roofer recommended we clad over it instead with plastic sheeting. We followed this advice which cost us around £2,000, saving us time and a substantial 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 Checkatrade member for 3 years, and has previously won two awards, including the 2025 Trade Champion award.
Laura Crombie is Content Director for Homebuilding & Renovating and has been a homes journalist for more than 17 years. She’s DIY-renovated three properties and written about decorating and design for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Metro.
Places where asbestos can be hiding inside your home
The use of asbestos in homes is more recent than you might think, with a ban not taking place until in 2000. And, in 2024, it was estimated to still be located in more than 1.5 million buildings across the UK, with lots of those being residential properties.
As it was considered a general building material, it's therefore not uncommon for it to be found in several places inside your home, some of which you might not expect.
Asbestos in Artex ceilings is widely documented, but it can also be well hidden elsewhere as Laura Crombie also discovered – by accident.
"I posted a video on Instagram of us ripping up a vinyl floor in our utility room and discovering a hidden safe sunk in the floor beneath. Somebody commented about the flooring having asbestos which surprised us as we had no idea, and had already ripped it up.
"It turns out lots 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 get it removed in the correct way, and not to rip it up," says Laura. "It was a bit late for us, but it could be worth considering having some further investigations if you're renovating an older house with vinyl or lino flooring."
Jamie Gatley adds that bitumen adhesives under flooring can also contain asbestos, and AIB panels have been known to be found underneath flooring when it's lifted.
Where else asbestos can hide inside your home?
So where else could be potential asbestos hotspots in older homes? Jamie Gatley says the following locations can all be risk factors.
1. Locations where AIB might be used
- Around boilers
- Partition walls
- Ceiling cupboards
- Bath panels
- Behind fuse boxes
- Under floors
2. Asbestos cement
- Water tanks (lofts/airing cupboards)
- Bath panels
3. In electrical components
If your home renovation requires rewiring, which most do in order to adhere to current building regulations, you could end up uncovering asbestos in the process too.
It certainly came as a shock to me when I was showing a builder where to find the mains electricity meter in a property, and when he saw it, he told me to open the cupboard as little as possible as it was mounted on an asbestos board.
"One place people might not expect asbestos is electrical components," confirms Jamie Gatley. "It was widely used when it came to fuse boxes and wiring. Fuse boxes and switchgear can be mounted on AIB backing panels, and old wiring may have cable insulation containing asbestos.”
It can also be found in old electric storage heaters, so be sure to check with your electrician beforehand if he is capable of identifying it, and understands the necessary measures for dealing with it. Or, consider an asbestos survey across your whole home for peace of mind.
4. In loose fill insulation
Upgrading your home insulation is common practice for home renovators, whether you're switching to a more energy efficient heat source such as an air source heat pump, or simply looking to make your home as toasty as possible.
Loose fill insulation can also contain asbestos, according to the guidelines found on the HSE website, where you can also find this handy diagram and guide to potential asbestos locations in your home. It's worth taking a look at this prior to any major renovation project, even if your survey hasn't revealed asbestos. As experts and experienced renovators, like Laura Crombie know, it's not always as obvious as you may think.
FAQ
Can I remove asbestos myself?
“Although it’s technically legal for homeowners to remove asbestos themselves, it’s actively discouraged," warns Jamie Gatley. "This is because uncontrolled removal techniques and disposal could result in a breach of the control of asbestos regulations, even in domestic settings.
"Generally, only specialist asbestos contractors have the correct insurance, training and licenses to carry out asbestos removal works, even on materials classed as non-licensed.
"Alongside the safety risks of removing asbestos itself, the process can involve additional risks where pipes are located at height or within confined spaces (e.g. lofts, service ducts, or external walls). This is important to bear in mind if you suspect you have any asbestos, or if you are investigating or renovating an older property. It’s always best to commission a full, accredited asbestos survey before beginning such projects," 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 as much knowledge in advance generally makes the process smoother.
With that in mind, take some time to look at the renovation truths every homeowner needs to know, and for the best results, make sure you avoid the 5 things that can make a renovation look cheap and discover what you should do instead.
