Asbestos surveys and removal in Enfield

What are Enfield's homes like?

The north London borough grew fast between the wars, when long roads of semi-detached houses spread out from Enfield Town and along the Great Cambridge Road. EN1 and EN2 also hold Victorian and Edwardian streets near the town centre and Bush Hill Park, and larger detached homes on the roads towards the Ridgeway and Enfield Chase. Further east, EN3 has terraces, post-war council estates and blocks of flats around Enfield Highway, Ponders End and Enfield Lock.

Does an interwar semi contain asbestos?

Houses built in the 1920s and 1930s mostly predate the peak years of asbestos use, but very few have stayed untouched. Over the decades owners added garages, porches, extensions, new heating and new ceilings, often during the 1960s and 1970s. So the asbestos in an interwar house is more often in its later additions than in the original fabric. Look at:

• garage roofs and lean-to roofs
• textured ceiling coatings added over old plaster
• boards around old boilers and warm air heaters
• floor tiles laid in kitchens and back rooms
• cement flue pipes and water tanks in the loft

What about the industrial side of EN3?

The Lea Valley side of Enfield has long been industrial, with estates at Brimsdown, Ponders End and along the river and canal. The Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock made rifles for well over a century before its site was redeveloped as housing. Many units still in use were built or re-roofed in the decades when asbestos cement sheeting and insulating board were common. Whoever is responsible for maintaining such a unit has a duty to manage asbestos, and alterations need a refurbishment and demolition survey of the affected parts.

Who looks after flats and estates?

In blocks of flats, the freeholder, managing agent or housing provider is responsible for asbestos in shared areas such as stairwells, bin stores and roof spaces. Council tenants should contact their housing office rather than arranging work themselves.

How is household asbestos waste dealt with?

Enfield sits in London rather than Hertfordshire, so its own rules apply. The London Borough of Enfield publishes guidance on hazardous household waste, including asbestos, and recommends a licensed contractor for some materials. Read it before you bag or move anything.

What about council and housing association homes?

Many homes in the borough are rented from the council or a housing association. Tenants who spot damaged boards, tiles or coatings should report them to their landlord and avoid drilling or fixing anything into them until they hear back.