Project Review: Domestic Asbestos Refurbishment Survey – Loughton, Essex
Location: Residential Property, Loughton, Essex
Survey Type: Asbestos Management Survey (CAR 2012 Compliance)
Survey Date: 13/08/2025
Objective:
When you’re giving your home a full-on makeover, there’s one thing you definitely don’t want on the guest list – asbestos. That’s why we headed over to this large, character-filled home in Loughton, Essex, to give it a thorough asbestos check before the big refurb kicked off.
The owners were planning a major transformation – new layouts, fresh finishes, the works. But before the builders could start swinging hammers and pulling down walls, they needed to know if there were any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) hiding in the background.
The Plan of Attack:
A refurbishment survey isn’t just a quick peek around – it’s more like a home version of CSI. We:
- Inspected all the areas affected by the planned works, including loft spaces, garage, and behind wall linings.
- Took samples of anything suspicious and sent them to a UKAS-accredited lab for testing.
- Documented our findings with photos, floor plans, and clear notes – so no one’s left guessing.
Fun fact: asbestos was once added to building materials to make them “tougher.” Now it’s just tough to deal with if you find it halfway through your renovation.
What We Found:
Our investigation uncovered a few ACMs that had been quietly minding their own business for decades:
- Asbestos insulating board (AIB) in part of the garage ceiling.
- Textured coating with chrysotile asbestos on a bedroom ceiling.
- Old vinyl floor tiles in a first-floor storage area.
Recommendations:
We gave the homeowners a simple plan to keep everything safe:
- Get a licensed removal team in to take out the AIB and floor tiles before the refurb begins.
- Encapsulate or remove the textured coating if the ceiling’s being disturbed.
- Carry out air monitoring after removal for peace of mind.
Now, with the asbestos properly dealt with, the only thing in the air during this renovation will be the smell of fresh paint and maybe a little sawdust.
Worried About Asbestos in Your Home? Contact Us Today!
If you live in Kent, Essex or any area around London, our team is here to provide reliable and professional asbestos surveys tailored to your needs. Get in touch today to arrange your survey and ensure your property is safe.
