Bathroom renovation - What you should consider in advance
Whether in fillers, tile adhesives, plasters, floor coverings or insulation materials - the renovation of an old bathroom involves many potential risks. One of them: asbestos!
Especially in buildings built before the end of 1992, you should assume that construction materials containing asbestos were used. Because many people don't know any better, tackling a renovation without professional help often leads to the unintentional release of asbestos fibers into the air during renovation work. Inhaled, these can lead to serious lung diseases and even cancer. Unfortunately, due to the long incubation period, this usually only becomes apparent after many decades.
However, the risk can be significantly reduced if you take appropriate precautions.
In the following section you will find a useful 3-point plan on how to reduce the risk of the release of asbestos fibers.
3-point plan - How to recognize possible risks through asbestos:
1. Find out when the house was built
This is the first and probably the easiest and fastest way to exclude the risk of a possible asbestos exposure. From 1993 on, the use of asbestos in construction was prohibited in Germany. EU-wide the use of asbestos was banned as of January 2005. So, if you live in a newer building, you are on the safe side.
Also, make sure to check when and if asbestos was banned in your country. If you live in an older house, the next steps are essential:
2. Know which materials in the bathroom can contain asbestos
The list of materials in the bathroom possibly containing asbestos is manageable, but nevertheless not negligible:
- Insulating elements of bathtubs and showers
- Tile adhesives
- Joint sealants
- floor coverings
- Levelling compounds under the floor covering
- Filler on wall and ceiling
- Insulation of heating pipes
- Insulation behind radiators
- Insulation under PVC floors
You can get more detailed insights and information in our virtual asbestos house.
3. In case of doubt commission an asbestos analysis
You can’t rule out the possibility that materials containing asbestos were used in your bathroom? Then we urgently suggest a commission of an asbestos analysis for the corresponding contruction material.
Why is an asbestos analysis so important?
- Asbestos fibers are usually not visible as they are often tied to other materials.
- Asbestos can not be recognized by a specific smell.
- Your health will thank you for it! Especially the late effects of asbestos are dangerous, as they can often only be recognized several decades later. Just a few fibers of asbestos can be enough to cause long-term damage to your lungs. If you know what you are dealing with, you can take appropriate protective measures.
- To reliably detect asbestos, precise analysis technology is required. Tips from the Internet - such as burning the material at home - do not provide any information about the composition. They also put you at additional risk due to the fumes generated.
- Unknowingly incorrect disposal of the waste does not protect you from severe fines. If you know your waste, you should know the right way of disposal: Asbestos is hazardous waste.
No asbestos test is not a solution either
You have read through our arguments and are still undecided whether an asbestos analysis is really necessary for your upcoming renovation? After all, you have survived a stay in your bathroom unharmed so far, would like to start the renovation immediately and would also like to save costs?
That would not be a good idea! Especially with asbestos cement and other building materials with bound asbestos, the danger lurks in silence. Often the dangerous fibers are only released during mechanical processing. The sooner you identify the pollutant, the better you can adapt your saftey measures.
In addition, you will receive your reliable analysis result within three to four days - even faster if necessary! With the idea of having no more hazardous substances in the bathroom in the future, the thought of a short waiting period is not so bad after all, is it?
Consider the costs in relation to the total renovation costs. You'll pay less for the analysis than for a good fitting sink faucet - with the bonus that you will be doing something good for yourself and your loved ones and get down to work with a clear conscience. That is a great perspective.
Our services at a glance
CRB Analysis Service is the contract laboratory for analyses of asbestos and artificial mineral fibers - your first point of contact in case of a suspected asbestos contamination.
We work at the highest level and offer you:
- Over 30 years of experience in asbestos testing
- Accredited test quality & standard-compliant test reports
- Precise measurement results thanks to experienced scientists and state-of-the-art analysis technology
- All common test methods for the analysis of material and dust samples as well as air samples from room air measurements
The path to asbestos testing has never been easier: register your sample online, bag the sample and send it off. Within three to four days after arrival, you will receive your reliable test result.
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