Asbestos removal in Genk

If you own an older home in Genk, there is a good chance that asbestos is present somewhere. Often it is not immediately visible. It can be found as insulation around heating pipes in the cellar, as an underlayer for vinyl flooring, or as corrugated sheets on a canopy or garage. In houses built before 2001, this material is regularly found. And it is not always easy to recognise.

Credim is a licensed asbestos removal contractor and also operates in Genk. We work from Stabroek but travel throughout Flanders, including Limburg. If you are unsure whether asbestos is present, or if you are planning a renovation and come across asbestos, we would be happy to take a look. We do this calmly and without rushing.

What we often come across in Genk homes

In practice, we regularly see three types of asbestos applications in houses in Genk.

Firstly, there is asbestos-containing pipe insulation, especially in homes built before the 1980s. This insulation is around the central heating pipes, usually in the cellar or under the stairs. It is a white or grey, crumbly layer that is sometimes still wrapped in jute cloth. Many people think it is just plaster, but that is not always the case.

Secondly, there are old vinyl floors. These were often laid between 1955 and 1985 with an asbestos-containing underlayer, and the black adhesive underneath, known as cutback adhesive, can also contain asbestos. You can still find these floors in many kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms.

And thirdly, there are asbestos roofs: corrugated sheets on a garage, shed, or canopy. Cladding can also contain asbestos. These sheets are weather-resistant, but if they weather or become damaged, they can release fibres.

Why it is better not to start yourself

It is tempting to remove a piece of asbestos yourself, but this is only permitted for firmly bonded material that is still completely intact and screwed in place. In practice, this is rarely the case. Damaged material, friable asbestos such as pipe insulation, or glued floor coverings must always be removed by a licensed company. This is not just a rule: it is mainly a matter of safety. As long as asbestos stays intact and you leave it alone, the risk is limited. But when it is broken, sawed, or sanded, fibres are released that you do not want in your lungs.

We work with the three legally required techniques: the simple handling for low risk, the glove bag for pipe insulation in the open air, and the hermetic zone with negative pressure for indoor pipe insulation and damaged applications. This keeps fibre release under control and everything is disposed of properly.

How we approach it

If you call us for asbestos removal in Genk, we first schedule a site visit. We look at what is present, in what condition it is, and which technique is most suitable. You will receive a clear explanation and an honest price.

On the day of the work, we arrive with the right equipment. We cordon off the area, use the necessary protection, and remove the asbestos. Everything is sealed airtight in foil of at least 100 microns. We also arrange disposal to a licensed processing facility. You do not need to go to the recycling centre, and that is just as well, because you are not even allowed to take friable asbestos there yourself.

No-obligation site visit in Genk

If you suspect asbestos, or are planning a renovation or sale, then contact Credim. We will come to Genk and the rest of Limburg for a no-obligation site visit. We will look at it together and give you honest advice. Call 09 396 64 56 or send an email to info@credim.be.