Domestic Asbestos Refurbishment Survey | Upminster

Location: Residential Property, Upminster, Essex
Survey Type: Asbestos Management Survey (CAR 2012 Compliance)
Survey Date: 25/09/2025

Objective:

Ahead of planned renovation works, the owner of this Upminster property required a domestic refurbishment asbestos survey. The aim was to identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that could be disturbed during refurbishment, ensuring the safety of contractors and compliance with asbestos regulations.

The Plan of Attack:

Our surveyors carried out an intrusive inspection of all areas due to be affected by the refurbishment. This included opening up wall voids, lifting floor coverings, and accessing ceiling spaces where necessary. Suspect materials were carefully sampled and sent to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis.

What We Found:

Our investigation uncovered a few ACMs that had been quietly minding their own business for decades:

• Ceiling Coatings: Chrysotile (white asbestos) was identified in textured ceiling coatings in the front lounge. These would be directly disturbed by the upcoming works.
• Partition Walls: Asbestos insulating board (AIB) was detected within internal wall partitions on the first floor. Some panels showed minor damage.
• Floor Tiles: Bitumen adhesive beneath vinyl tiles in the kitchen contained asbestos. While in stable condition, they would be disturbed by new flooring works.
• No asbestos found in plaster finishes, loft insulation, or decorative coving.

Recommendations:

The findings provided the client with a clear plan of action before work began:

1. Licensed Removal: AIB panels within the partitions must be removed by a licensed asbestos contractor before refurbishment proceeds.
2. Controlled Removal: The asbestos-containing floor adhesive should be removed or managed under controlled conditions prior to fitting new flooring.
3. Encapsulation/Removal: The asbestos-containing textured ceiling coatings should either be skimmed and sealed or removed, depending on the refurbishment scope.
4. Communication: Contractors must be provided with the asbestos survey and register before works commence to ensure safe working practices.

By completing this refurbishment asbestos survey, the client now has the confidence that their project can move forward safely and in full compliance with HSE guidance, reducing both health risks and costly delays.

Outcome

This refurbishment asbestos survey gave the homeowner in Upminster a clear plan for handling asbestos prior to their renovation project. With the risks identified and control measures in place, refurbishment can now move forward safely and in full compliance with HSE guidance.