Asbestos Sampling & UKAS Testing in South Yorkshire

We suppress the surface first using a specialist surfactant spray so dry dust cannot escape into the air. A small, discrete piece of the coating is cut cleanly down to the plasterboard substrate using hand tools. The material goes straight into a double-lined polythene sample bag, and we immediately seal the exposed edge with a clear sealant or filler before packing away.

Yes, both layers must be tested because they are treated as two separate materials under UKAS laboratory analysis. Thermoplastic floor tiles often contain chrysotile asbestos, while the black bitumen adhesive beneath them can have an entirely different asbestos content or none at all. We take a complete core sample down to the concrete or timber floor base so the lab can analyse both components independently.

Standard certificate turnaround from the independent UKAS-accredited testing laboratory is usually two to three working days from collection. We bag, seal, and log every sample on site before dispatching it directly for polarised light microscopy analysis. As soon as the laboratory confirms the fibre type or returns a negative result, we issue your formal certificate along with straightforward practical advice on what to do next.

The laboratory only needs a piece roughly the size of a thumbnail, approximately one to two square centimetres, to identify any asbestos fibres. We always choose an out-of-the-way spot wherever possible, such as behind door frames, in ceiling corners, or under edge trims. Once extracted, we seal the sample point immediately with sealant to lock down the edges and prevent fibre release.

We advise against taking samples yourself without proper RPE, wetting agents, and containment gear. Scraping dry textured coatings, snapping cement sheets, or chiselling floor tiles releases respirable fibres straight into your living space. Having a trained surveyor collect the bulk sample ensures the material is extracted down to the substrate without contaminating your property, double-bagged correctly, and tracked with a proper chain of custody.