Asbestos
A fibrous silicate mineral, asbestos was added to a huge number of buildings particularly in the 1960s and 70s because it was highly resistant to heat, weather, sound and chemicals making it the perfect insulation material. Except of course that it’s incredibly carcinogenic to humans, with over 5,000 deaths from asbestos exposure in the UK every year. Unsurprisingly it’s been banned in the UK since 1999, but it means that any property built before the year 2000 does have an increased risk of containing asbestos.
This is something we encounter quite a lot while doing building surveys. We will come across materials that we suspect contain asbestos, like textured coatings sometimes known as Artex, insulation products, cement products like roof slates, roof sheets, floor tiles, gutters, flue and soil pipes, and in older heating and electrical systems. In fact, one of our surveyors once inspected a kitchen where the actual cupboard doors and shelves were made from asbestos cement boards!
That’s why we make sure our survey reports always highlight any suspect materials that might be used in the property. The only way we can be completely sure of what the material is actually made of is to have it tested by a qualified person. This needs to be done very carefully, and there are many guidelines in place about how to handle suspected asbestos.
Lead Water Pipes
Before 1970 lead pipes were commonly used to connect properties to the mains water systems. Utilities workers also used lead to solder joints for copper pipes, and in some cases lead was used for storage tanks too. This isn’t a great thing because if there is any water standing in the pipes then lead will seep in, and over time lead can build up in the body.
Lead has been linked to health issues particularly in children, infants and unborn babies. If you’re worried, you can ask your water company to run tests on the water and if they find any lead contamination they will give you advice on what to do next. Usually this means replacing the supply pipe, which can be simple, or it could cost a lot depending on how complicated the work is. As part of a building survey, we’ll examine all visible parts of the system and let you know if there is any action you need to take.
Lead Paints
Up to the mid-1960s, lead was very commonly used in paints. While best practice is to remove old paint before you paint again, many people will just paint over it again instead. This is why older properties can have very thick paint layers on painted surfaces, and you can never be sure exactly what is under there. As we now know, lead can be harmful to the people living in the property, particularly young children. If there is any paint in the house containing lead it could get damaged or release dust into the house, which could have negative health impacts. Stripping the paint for redecoration will need to be done carefully, and this can add to the cost of works, so it’s worth bearing in mind.
Arsenic
This one is pretty rare nowadays, but it absolutely can happen, and is still found in much older properties. In 1775 Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele found a way to create the most vibrant and pigmented green paint using a special ingredient – Arsenic. By the 1800s wallpaper had become hugely popular, and any with bright green colours usually arsenic–based. Thankfully this was discontinued in the 1870s on health grounds, which means it would be incredibly rare to come across it now.
Anthrax
Another rare one! You might have heard of anthrax before – it’s a rare but serious illness that’s caused by a spore-forming bacteria called Bacillus Anthracis, and it’s been used in the past as a bio-weapon. It’s a bacteria found on livestock and wild animals, which is how it links into houses. You see, plasters, whittle and daub made before the 1900s were often made using binding agents that included animal hair. When demolishing buildings of this age or removing plasters that use animal hair, contractors can release spores that could carry the anthrax infection. The risk of this is very low, and we can usually predict it by sampling the materials before any work is done.
Glazing
The current Building Regulations set certain requirements for glazing in ‘critical locations. Which basically means anywhere people can come into contact with the glass, like doors, low level windows and so on. The glazing needs to break in a way that’s unlikely to cause any injury, will resist impact without breaking, or be protected from impact. Usually this means toughened glass.
However, a lot of older properties were built before these regulations were brought into place, which means the glass in these spots usually isn’t protected or toughened in any way. So it could easily break and cause serious injuries.
Other Safety Issues
Building Regulations are put in place to keep properties safe and make sure there are no dangers to the people living in them. However, Building Regulations do change, and sometimes older properties don’t get updated to meet the new regulations. These properties can pose multiple serious hazards to the people using the building, which is why our survey reports will highlight any particular risks. This could include staircases with unsafe balustrades, windows with low heights and no safety restrictors, decayed decking or floorboards, unguarded edges, hazardous electrical or gas installations. If found, we will also highlight pest issues like bird or rodent infestations, which can carry dangerous pathogens.
So what do you do if you’re buying an older property? Hire someone to help. At Harrison Clarke, our skilled chartered surveyors do thorough inspections of the property you’re looking to buy, so that you’re fully aware of what dangers we find, and what could be lurking within the property. We can also provide you with the best advice on how to deal with any potential issues. If you’d like some advice or support, just get in touch with the team today by calling 02381 550051 today.
We also have a range of videos talking through various aspects of Surveying. You can access them via our website or our YouTube channel.
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