What may you do yourself when it comes to asbestos, and what is better left to us?

If you live in a house built before 2001, you will have to deal with asbestos sooner or later. Sometimes during a renovation, sometimes during a sale. The good news: you don't have to have everything done by a licensed company. For some applications, you can do it yourself. But the line is not always clear. That's why we've summarised it for you.

What you can remove yourself

The legislation allows private individuals to remove a limited amount of asbestos themselves. This concerns bonded asbestos that is undamaged and screwed in place, not glued or nailed. Think of a corrugated roof on a shed or a fence. The surface area may not exceed 35 m². In addition, you must submit a demolition notification in advance via the Omgevingsloket. Sounds like a simple job? For those who approach it correctly, it can be.

However, there are many situations where it is better not to start yourself. Asbestos is only dangerous when fibres are released. And those fibres are released when you damage, saw, drill or sand the material. A damaged sheet or one that you accidentally drop is no longer safe. In that case, a licensed removal company must do the work. You can read more about the rules and conditions on our page can I remove asbestos myself?.

When it is mandatory: pipe insulation and vinyl floors

There are two applications that we often encounter in practice and that you should leave alone. The first is asbestos pipe insulation. You can recognise it by a crumbly, white or grey layer around old heating pipes, often in the basement of houses from the 1950s to the 1980s. This layer is usually still wrapped in white jute cloth. As long as you don't touch it, the risk is limited. But in the event of a leak or renovation, dangerous dust is released. This material is friable and therefore falls under the strictest rules. Only a licensed company may remove it. On our page about removing asbestos pipe insulation we explain how we do this safely.

Old vinyl floors are also an often underestimated risk. Vinyl sheets and tiles from the period 1955-1985 often have an asbestos-containing backing. Underneath that is a black, bituminous adhesive, also called cutback. That adhesive is brittle and can release fibres when pulled up. A licensed removal company must remove the floor and adhesive. You can find more about this on the page about removing asbestos vinyl flooring.

Why you should not experiment

We understand the temptation to do it yourself. It saves time and money. But asbestos fibres are invisible and remain in the lungs for years. A wrong move can cause serious health problems. In addition, you risk a fine if you dispose of or process asbestos incorrectly. The government wants to make Flanders asbestos-safe by 2040. That is why strict rules apply, and those rules are there for a reason.

If you are unsure whether a material contains asbestos, have a sample taken first. An asbestos certificate from a certified expert provides clarity. The certificate is actually mandatory when selling a home built before 2001. There is also a deadline for co-owned properties. The certificate indicates where asbestos is present, but it does not remove it. For that, you need to hire a licensed removal company.

At Credim, we specialise in the safe removal of asbestos. We use the three legal techniques: simple handling, glove bag and hermetic zone. Feel free to take a look at our page about asbestos removal to see how we work.

Are you unsure whether you can tackle a piece of asbestos yourself? Then schedule a free site visit. We will come by, assess the situation and honestly tell you whether you can do it yourself or whether it is better to let us come. That way you know where you stand.