Asbestos is a natural mineral that was widely used until the 1990s. Read here what it exactly is, which types exist, and why the policy aims for an asbestos-safe Flanders.
Asbestos is a natural mineral that was used in thousands of building materials until the late 1990s. It is strong, insulating and resistant to fire, acid and wear. That is why it was so popular in construction. But we now know that asbestos fibres are dangerous for your lungs if they are released and inhaled. That makes it important to know where asbestos is and how to handle it. On this page we explain what asbestos is, which types exist and how Flanders is working towards an asbestos-safe future.
Asbestos is divided into three categories, based on how the fibres are bound in the material. This classification also determines how great the risk is and which removal technique is needed.
In bonded asbestos, the fibres are firmly embedded in a hard binder, such as cement. Think of corrugated roof sheets, cladding panels, flower pots or sewer pipes. As long as the material is undamaged, hardly any fibres are released. It is the most common type of asbestos in homes.
In friable asbestos, the fibres are loose or weakly bound. Think of pipe insulation around central heating pipes, sprayed asbestos on steel structures or cords in a stove. This material is crumbly and releases fibres quickly. It is therefore the most dangerous and may only be handled by a licensed removal contractor.
Semi-bound asbestos falls between the other two. The fibres are bound, but less firmly than in cement-bound materials. Examples include some vinyl floors and bituminous roof tiles. Caution is also required here, especially if the material is damaged or weathered.
Would you like to know how to recognise asbestos in your home? Then take a look at our page on recognising asbestos.
Asbestos was the wonder material of the 20th century. It is fire-resistant, sound-insulating, strong and cheap. It was therefore used everywhere: in roofs, facades, floors, insulation, brake linings, you name it. In Flanders, asbestos is therefore present in a large proportion of homes built before 2001. So it is not unusual to come across it during a renovation or when buying an older home.
As long as asbestos remains intact, the risk is limited. It only becomes dangerous when the fibres are released, for example through breaking, sawing, sanding or burning. These fibres are microscopically small and can cause lung diseases when inhaled. It is therefore important to treat asbestos with respect. More information about the health risks can be found on the page about the dangers of asbestos.
Flanders wants to make all buildings from before 2001 asbestos-safe by 2040. This is set out in the Asbestos Reduction Action Plan. The aim is to significantly reduce exposure to asbestos fibres and thus prevent health damage. The plan first focuses on the most high-risk applications, such as asbestos roofs and friable asbestos in poor condition. In addition, there is the asbestos certificate, which has been mandatory since 23 November 2022 when selling a home or building built before 2001. By 2032, every owner of such a building must have a certificate. For co-owned properties, an earlier deadline applies: the common parts must have a certificate by 31 December 2026 at the latest.
That certificate is drawn up by a certified asbestos expert and issued by OVAM. It is therefore not something that a contractor or asbestos removal company may draw up themselves. As an asbestos removal company, we do carry out what the certificate recommends.
Do you have a home built before 2001? Then there is a good chance that asbestos is present somewhere. That does not have to be an immediate problem, as long as the material is in good condition and you do not disturb it. But during a renovation, a roof replacement or a sale, you will need to deal with it. The regulations require you to have asbestos removed correctly, and that is not always something you can do yourself.
A private individual may only remove bonded, undamaged asbestos up to 35 square metres themselves, and only if it is screwed (not glued or nailed) and after a demolition notification via the Environmental Counter. All other asbestos applications, such as friable material or damaged sheets, must be removed by a licensed company.
Are you unsure whether there is asbestos in your home? Or do you know for sure and want to have it removed? Then contact a licensed asbestos removal company such as Credim. We work throughout Flanders and master all legal techniques to remove asbestos safely.
A certified expert visits, assesses the situation and gives you a clear, no-obligation proposal.
