Medway · England
Asbestos Testing for Chatham
Asbestos testing in Chatham and across Medway: asbestos sampling and testing, with written paperwork.
- Soffits and porch canopies before replacement
- Floor tiles and black adhesive
- Corrugated roof sheets
Asbestos testing near Chatham
Questions from Chatham
Could my house in Chatham contain asbestos?
It depends on its age and history: asbestos was used until the 1999 ban, so older homes and older alterations in Chatham can contain it. Common places include garage roofs, textured ceilings, floor tiles, soffits and flues.
Can you deal with asbestos on rural buildings in the Kent Downs National Landscape?
Yes, the same rules apply there, though access to rural buildings may need planning.
What if the weather’s bad?
Indoor jobs go ahead in any weather. Outdoor roof work can be delayed by strong wind or heavy rain.
Do you do air testing?
Air testing is a different job from material testing, and not one we do: after licensed work, an independent analyst accredited by UKAS does the clearance. We’ll tell you if your job needs it.
Do you need to see it before quoting?
Many jobs can be quoted from photos, though some need a visit first.
Do you cover Chatham?
Yes, we do: Chatham is within the area we cover in Medway. Share the postcode and a short description for a quote.
Do I need more than one sample?
Usually one for each different material, sometimes more. We will recommend a number once we know more.
Should I use a home testing kit?
Sampling is best left to a competent person, according to HSE, because the material has to be disturbed. We can do it for you.
About our asbestos testing in Chatham
Testing suits one or two specific materials. If you are planning bigger work in Chatham, a survey of the areas affected is generally better, and we will tell you honestly which you need. People often contact us about soffit boards and Artex ceilings before plastering, sanding or drilling, involving panels behind heaters, garage roof sheets and flue pipes.
In a large place like Chatham, we test materials in houses, flats, shops and offices. Every quote is in writing and spells out what’s covered, so there are no surprises.
More for properties in Chatham
Limits to be aware of
To be clear about the scope:
- Clearance testing is a separate, independent job
- We can’t confirm asbestos from a picture
- Identifying the material is the first step; removal is planned separately
If you are unsure, describe the job and send photos, and we will advise.
Materials in Chatham
- Water tanks
- Flue pipes
- Bitumen adhesive
- Floor tiles
- Garage roof sheets
- Soffit boards
- Panels behind heaters
- Artex and textured ceilings
- Roof felt
- Pipe lagging
Asbestos testing in Chatham: local notes
Chatham is about 29 miles east of London, in Medway. If your test is in Chatham, let us know about access. Chatham is one of 68 towns and villages in Medway where we work. You can also see our page for Canterbury, about 24 miles away.
For older homes anywhere in Chatham, from near Christ the King outwards, it’s worth testing suspect materials before work. For rented homes around Chatham station, you can test a material while the property is empty. The Kent Downs National Landscape is within about 8 miles, and rural properties nearby often have outbuildings with roofs worth testing.
This part of Medway takes in ME5, ME4, ME7 and ME1, and your test can be anywhere in it. From Luton High Street, Market Place and High Street or a nearby road, we can help. Being close to the A2 and A229, Chatham is simple for us to get to. For properties just outside Chatham, we cover Luton (1 mile north), Hale (1 mile north-east), Darland (1 mile east), Capstone (1 mile east) and Walderslade (1 mile south). We also cover nearby towns such as Rochester (3 miles north-west), Rainham (3 miles east), Strood (3 miles north-west), Park Wood (3 miles east), Twydall (3 miles north-east) and Hoo St Werburgh (5 miles north). Being one of Medway’s larger places, Chatham has buildings from every era.
A little further out are Medway Maritime Hospital (1.7 miles north) and Six Poor Travellers House (2.5 miles north-west). Open spaces near Chatham include Blue Bell Hill and Burham Down.
- Local schools include Walderslade Girls' School (less than half a mile south-west) and Walderslade Girls' School (less than half a mile south-west)
- Pubs nearby include The Huntsman pub (0.9 miles north-west)
- Other local spots include Chatham Free Library (1.6 miles north) and City of Rochester-upon-Medway (2.9 miles north-west)
After the job
A negative result means the material can be treated as normal.
Staying safe afterwards:
- Group several materials into one visit
- Make the area easy to reach
- Tell us what work you are planning
- File the result with your property paperwork
What to avoid
Leave the material alone until the result is back.
Please do not take your own sample.
Why people call us in Chatham
HSE advises that samples are best taken by a competent person, because taking a sample disturbs the material.
These are some of the things we deal with in Chatham:
- One-off checks in rented property
- Garage roofs before replacement
- Results builders ask for before work
- Boards and panels before a kitchen or bathroom refit
Parents and staff at schools such as Wayfield Primary School can ask about the school’s asbestos management.
What your quote should include
- VAT, clearly stated
- That the survey follows HSE’s guide HSG264
- Whether they’re insured for asbestos work
- How many samples are included
For landlords, agents and businesses
If you are responsible for a non-domestic building or the common parts of flats in Chatham, you have a duty to manage asbestos under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. In practice: find it, assess it, record it and manage it.
Contractors working for you need asbestos information before they start. HSE regularly reminds owners and trades of it.
A closer look at the materials
Boards and panels
Boards in boiler cupboards, behind heaters or as soffits can be asbestos insulating board. A test tells you which.
Cement sheets
Grey corrugated sheets on garages and sheds are a common request. Testing confirms whether it’s asbestos cement.
What happens
The sample point is sealed, leaving the material safe while you wait for the result. It helps if we can park nearby, so let us know about any restrictions.
- Describe the material and send a picture
- You get a quote for the samples needed
- We take each sample safely and seal it
- An accredited lab analyses them
- You get the written result and our advice
Before we arrive
- Do not disturb the material before we get there
- Clear the way to the work area
- Tell us about parking and access
How to get a quote
Not sure what you need? Fill in the enquiry form or give us a call on 07833 053 749 and describe the problem, and we will advise.
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Prices and what affects them
Our quotes take into account:
- The building’s size and layout
- Roof spaces and outbuildings in scope
- The type of material and its condition
- Which survey type fits your plans
What you pay depends on the job itself: the materials, the amount, access and what paperwork is needed. We quote each job individually.
Helping us quote
Before you send photos, a few tips:
- An overall view
- An idea of size
- Where we could park
- Any labels or markings, if you can see them safely
Every job is quoted in writing. Just use our quote form or call 07833 053 749 with the details, including any survey or test you already have.
Choosing the right option
One sample or several? Each different material needs its own sample, and sometimes tiles and adhesive or coatings in different rooms need separate samples. Identifying asbestos early is cheaper than stopping work later, when everything has to stop.
Why us?
- Practical recommendations
- Paperwork you can show your buyer, landlord or builder
- Clear advice on your options
- Condition assessed for every material
- Identify it first: we test or survey before planning removal
- Work planned to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and HSE guidance
- Paperwork for your records: reports, lab results and consignment notes
- Legal disposal at a permitted site, with a consignment note