The bathroom is one of the most common places to find asbestos in older homes. A bathroom renovation is also one of the riskiest situations for asbestos exposure, because demolition creates a lot of dust in a small space with poor ventilation. In this article we go through which bathroom materials can contain asbestos.
Tile adhesive
The adhesive behind wall and floor tiles is the most common source of asbestos in the bathroom. Adhesive under tiles laid in the 1960s and 1970s in particular often contains asbestos. Asbestos was added to make the adhesive stronger, stickier and more heat-resistant.
Note that the tiles themselves usually do not contain asbestos – the risk lies in the adhesive behind them. When the tiles are knocked off, the adhesive breaks up and asbestos fibres can get into the air. That is why the adhesive should always be tested before tiles are removed in an older bathroom.
Tile grout
Old tile grout can also contain asbestos. The grout between the tiles can release asbestos fibres when it is removed. Dark, grey grout in older bathrooms in particular should be tested before demolition.
Wall filler
The filler on bathroom walls is another important source of asbestos. Filler was used to smooth the walls before tiling or painting. There may be several layers, and each layer may date from a different period. Sanding and chiselling release a particularly large amount of dust from filler.
Testing the filler in a bathroom is especially important because dust spreads easily in a small room and exposure can become significant in a short time.
Pipe insulation
The insulation on water and waste pipes running through the bathroom can contain asbestos. In older apartment buildings in particular, the pipes often run inside the bathroom walls or openly in the room. Before a pipe replacement or other work on the pipes, the insulation should be tested before it is touched.
Why is a bathroom renovation particularly risky?
A bathroom renovation combines several risk factors: several materials that may contain asbestos are demolished in a confined space, a lot of dust is produced and ventilation is often limited. On top of that, angle grinders, drills and demolition hammers are often used, and they produce very fine dust.
Without suitable protection, the person doing the demolition can be exposed to large amounts of asbestos fibres in a short time. People elsewhere in the home can also be exposed if dust from the bathroom spreads through doors and ventilation.
How do you find out whether there is asbestos in the bathroom?
The only reliable way to find out whether bathroom materials contain asbestos is a laboratory analysis. Take a sample of the material you want to check – for example tile adhesive, filler or grout – and send it to the laboratory. Samples of different materials should be taken separately, because each material is analysed as its own sample.
Taking a sample in the bathroom is simple: for example, carefully remove a tile and take a piece of the adhesive behind it. It is best to wear a respirator while doing this. Put the sample in a resealable plastic bag and send it to the laboratory.
Summary
If you are renovating the bathroom in an older home, always assume that asbestos may be present. Test the tile adhesive, grout, filler and any pipe insulation before you start demolition. That keeps the renovation safe and in line with the rules that apply to asbestos.