Asbestos removal in Flanders

Asbestos in the home. It sounds worse than it is, but ignoring it is not an option. Whether it's an old roof, a vinyl floor, or that white crumbly layer around your central heating pipes in the cellar, eventually it has to go. Especially if you're planning to renovate, sell, or simply because you know it's there. And then the question quickly arises: can I do it myself, or do I need a licensed asbestos removal contractor?

The answer depends on what exactly you have. At Credim, we get this question often. That's why we briefly explain here how it works and what we can do for you.

What can you do yourself, and what not?

For bonded asbestos that is undamaged and screwed in place, there is an exception. As a private individual, you may remove it yourself, but only if it concerns less than 35 square metres and you submit a demolition notification via the Environmental Desk (Omgevingsloket). Think, for example, of a corrugated roof or cladding that is still in good condition.

But as soon as the asbestos is damaged, glued, or nailed, or if it concerns non-bonded material such as pipe insulation, then doing it yourself stops. An old vinyl floor with a bituminous adhesive layer is also a case for a licensed company. The law is clear about that. And that's a good thing, because that kind of work involves much more than just unscrewing a sheet.

Are you unsure whether your situation falls under that exception? Then take a look at the page about asbestos removal for private individuals. It explains it step by step.

Why a licensed asbestos removal contractor?

Asbestos fibres are only dangerous when they are released. And that happens precisely when you start working with it: sawing, breaking, sanding. A licensed asbestos removal contractor like Credim knows exactly how to approach this. We use the right techniques so that as few fibres as possible are released.

In addition, we are obliged to dispose of the asbestos correctly and have the waste processed. That is also something you can't easily arrange as a private individual. For example, it is not permitted to take friable asbestos to the recycling centre yourself. A licensed company arranges that for you.

On the page about the licensed asbestos removal contractor, you can read more about what that licence entails and what it means for you as a client.

Which technique suits your asbestos?

Not every asbestos removal is the same. That's why we distinguish three techniques. We use the simple handling for bonded material with a low risk, such as a screwed sheet. Pipe insulation in the open air, mainly on industrial sites, we remove with a glovebag if the pipe meets the legal conditions. And for indoor pipe insulation and for damaged or friable asbestos, we build a hermetic zone with negative pressure.

Which technique is needed for your project depends on the material, the condition, and the location. An overview of the techniques can be found on our website. This way you know in advance what to expect.

What does Credim remove?

We specialise in removing asbestos applications that commonly occur in Flemish homes. Think of:

• asbestos roofs and facades
• pipe insulation around central heating pipes
• asbestos plaster on walls and ceilings
• asbestos-containing vinyl floors and adhesive layers
• asbestos cement sheets, pipes, and flower pots

Do you have a specific application in mind? Then read more about removing an asbestos roof, removing pipe insulation, or removing an asbestos vinyl floor. Each of those pages goes into more detail about the specific points of attention.

How does a request to Credim proceed?

You contact us with what you have found or what you want to tackle. Based on photos and a short description, we can usually quickly assess whether it concerns asbestos and which approach we propose. After that, we schedule a site visit or prepare a tailored quote.

The price depends on various factors, such as the surface area, accessibility, and the technique used. You always receive a transparent quote in advance. More explanation about the cost of asbestos removal can be found on our page about that.

We come to you, throughout Flanders. No messing about afterwards, but a clean and safe removal, with disposal to a licensed processor.

For companies and professionals, we also have a specific offering, with an approach that takes their obligations into account.