Asbestos removal in Vilvoorde

In Vilvoorde and the surrounding Brussels periphery, there are still many houses from the 1950s to the 1980s. That very period is notorious for asbestos. It is not always where you expect it: around central heating pipes in the cellar, under a vinyl sheet in the utility room, or in the corrugated sheets of the garden shed roof. As long as the material is intact, there is little to worry about. But as soon as you start drilling, breaking or grinding, fibres are released. And then you want it to be dealt with safely.

Recognisable by the crumbly white layer

A typical job in Vilvoorde is removing asbestos around heating pipes. This insulation is often seen in cellars of houses built before the 1980s: a white or grey, crumbly plaster layer around the pipes, usually wrapped in jute cloth. Many people think it is just plaster. That may be the case, but you only know for sure after a sample is taken. As long as you do not scratch or sand it, the risk is limited. During a renovation or a leak, that changes. Then it is time to call in an asbestos expert for pipe insulation removal.

Another silent killer: the vinyl floor

We also often come across old vinyl floors. Especially the sheets and tiles from the period 1955-1985 often have an asbestos-containing backing. Underneath that is the black, brittle bituminous adhesive, the so-called cutback adhesive. It is precisely that adhesive layer that is the risk: it breaks quickly and can spread fibres. Pulling up an old vinyl floor yourself is therefore not a good idea. We remove the floor including the adhesive layer and ensure everything is disposed of in an airtight manner. You can read more about this approach on our page about asbestos in vinyl floors.

Asbestos roofs and facades: a common job

Outside, we often see asbestos corrugated sheets on sheds, garages or canopies. Sometimes they are painted, sometimes they have been there for years. Asbestos cement cladding also occurs. In such applications, the material is usually firmly bonded, meaning the fibres are firmly embedded in the cement. But that does not mean you can do it yourself just like that. For roofs larger than 35 m² or if the sheets are damaged, a licensed company is mandatory. We work according to the legal techniques, depending on the situation: a simple operation, a glove bag or an airtight zone with negative pressure. Also see what removing an asbestos roof entails.

Why you should not start this yourself

It is tempting to tackle that old pipe insulation or that corrugated roof yourself. But the rules are strict, and for good reason. For firmly bonded asbestos up to 35 m², you can do it yourself as a private individual, but only if the material is undamaged and screwed, not glued or nailed. Moreover, you must file a demolition notification. As soon as the material is damaged, or if it concerns friable asbestos such as pipe insulation, a licensed remover is mandatory. And disposal is also regulated: asbestos must be packaged airtight in foil of at least 100 microns. At the recycling centre, you can bring up to 200 kg per year for free as a private individual, but you may not transport friable asbestos yourself. We arrange all of that for you, from airtight packaging to transport to a licensed processor.

Our approach on site

As a licensed asbestos removal company, we work according to the rules of the Flemish government. We come by, assess the situation and determine which technique is needed. Sometimes a simple operation suffices, for example with a few corrugated sheets in good condition. In the case of damaged or friable asbestos, we build an airtight zone with negative pressure. We work neatly and quickly.

Do you live in Vilvoorde or the surrounding area and suspect asbestos in your home? Then ask a licensed asbestos removal company to come by. We would be happy to schedule a free site visit in Vilvoorde so that we can see together what needs to be done.