Asbestos Wet Seal

This moisture tolerant transparent sealer is designed to soak into, bond to and encapsulate asbestos.

Asbestos, from the Greek word for unquenchable or inextinguishable, is actually a set of naturally occurring silicate minerals which all contain thin fibrous crystals, with each visible fibre itself composed of millions of microscopic “fibrils” that can be released by, for example, abrasion. They are commonly known by their colours: blue asbestos, brown asbestos, white asbestos and green asbestos.

Asbestos was extensively used by the UK railway industry from the 1950s, primarily for fireproofing and insulation of roofs. And although asbestos use was made illegal in 1999, any building or structure built before 2000 is potentially at risk.

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) say that asbestos materials in good condition are considered safe unless asbestos fibres become airborne, which happens when materials become damaged. And it is the fibres that have been proven over the years to present a health risk, with asbestos being linked to diseases such as lung cancer and asbestosis – over time the fibres essentially build a restrictive coating within the lung. Individuals and companies responsible for maintaining and repairing premises have a duty to manage asbestos as part of the 2012 Control of Asbestos Regulations.

Blocksil offer an easily applied encapsulation coating, but why opt for encapsulation over removal?

Whilst asbestos removal may seem like the obvious choice, it is often complicated, expensive, can result in extensive downtime and dramatically increases the risk of fibres becoming airborne. In contrast, asbestos encapsulation within a Blocksil coating is possibly the safest and most cost effective method of asbestos management. Because the asbestos is not disturbed, the risk of creating airborne fibres is minimised. But there are other, perhaps less obvious benefits to encapsulation with a Blocksil coating over asbestos removal.

Waste disposal of the asbestos is eliminated, which reduces risk and cost to all concerned.

The coating process is much quicker and more efficient, so less costly to the building owner.

Aside from the very obvious health and safety benefits on having the asbestos fibres encapsulated, the now sealed asbestos will give a much better finish to any coating applied on top of the sealer. Less of the top coat will be needed as well.

For advice on which top coats will bond to our sealer, please contact us. But please note that we are not asbestos cleaning experts or contractors.