Filler and skim coat
Asbestos in filler and skim coat – analysis €49.99
Older fillers and skim coats on walls, ceilings and floors can contain asbestos. Filler is a risk material because sanding and chiselling it quickly produces fine dust.
In short
Can filler contain asbestos?
Yes. Filler in buildings built or renovated before asbestos was banned can contain asbestos, particularly in buildings from the 1960s to the 1980s. Take the sample from the filler layer itself, not just from the paint or wallpaper. Semlab analyses a filler sample for €49.99 incl. VAT.
Identify the material
What should you know about this material?
Why is filler a risk material?
Asbestos was added to fillers to make them stronger, easier to work and less prone to cracking. When the filler is sanded or broken up, any fibres it contains can be released as very fine dust.
Where should I take the filler sample?
Good places are the lower part of a wall, a corner, a door reveal or another spot where a small patch of damage does not matter. If the surface is wallpapered or painted, make sure the filler layer itself is in the sample.
When should the sample be taken?
Take the sample before you sand walls, knock off tiles, strip wallpaper, work on ceiling filler or do any other work that damages the old filler.
Sampling
How to take a representative sample
- Take a small piece of the filler, not just the layer of paint.
- If there are several layers, note where the sample was taken.
- Do not sand anything until you have the result – filler dust spreads easily.
If the material crumbles, is dusty or is hard to reach, do not force it loose. Only firmly bound materials may be sent by post, never dusty insulation. If you are unsure how to take the sample safely, ask a professional.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about asbestos in filler and skim coat
Test for asbestos in filler and skim coat before demolition
Order the analysis online and pay by card, send the sample to our laboratory with your national postal service, and receive the result by email on the day the sample arrives.