Asbestos Removal in Leatherhead

Many homes across Leatherhead, Fetcham, Bookham, Ashtead, and Cobham, particularly those built between the 1950s and 1970s, contain asbestos-cement garage roofs. These large detached and semi-detached properties, characteristic of the affluent commuter belt, often feature double garages where such materials were commonly used. Over time, exposure to the elements can cause these roofs to degrade, releasing harmful fibres.

In Fetcham and Bookham, a high density of 1960s bungalows frequently feature asbestos shed cladding. When this cladding becomes brittle, cracks, or is damaged during garden work or minor repairs, it can easily release microscopic asbestos fibres into the air around your home. This silent release often goes unnoticed, yet poses a significant health risk to residents.

Beyond external structures, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are also found internally. Artex ceilings, vinyl floor tiles, and asbestos insulation board (AIB) in boiler cupboards were once common. Disturbing these materials during routine maintenance, redecoration, or renovation can inadvertently release fibres, contaminating your living spaces and creating a hazardous environment.

When asbestos-containing materials like chrysotile (white asbestos) or amosite (brown asbestos) are disturbed, they release tiny, needle-like fibres into the air. These fibres are invisible to the naked eye and can remain suspended for hours. Once inhaled, they become lodged in the lungs, where they can cause severe and often fatal diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (Regulation 8) sets a Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) of 0.1 fibres per cubic centimetre of air (0.1 f/cm³) over a four-hour period, highlighting the extreme danger even low levels of exposure pose.

The long latency period of asbestos-related diseases means symptoms may not appear for 20 to 50 years after exposure. This makes early detection and proactive removal critical. In the UK, approximately 5,000 people die each year from asbestos-related diseases, according to HSE data. This stark figure underscores the ongoing public health crisis caused by legacy asbestos in our built environment, particularly in areas like Leatherhead with a significant stock of older properties.