Fillers
Asbestos in filler – analysis €39.90
Older wall, ceiling and floor fillers may contain asbestos. Filler is a high-risk material because sanding and chipping release fine dust very quickly.
Short answer
Can filler contain asbestos?
Yes. Fillers applied before 1994 may contain asbestos, particularly in buildings from the 1960s to the 1980s. The sample should be taken from the actual filler layer, not just from the paint or the wallpaper. Onelab tests a filler sample for €39.90 + VAT.
Identifying the material
What do you need to know about this material?
Why is filler a high-risk material?
Asbestos was added to filler to improve its strength, workability and crack resistance. When filler is sanded or broken up, any fibres present can be released as an extremely fine dust.
Where should the filler sample be taken from?
A good spot is the bottom edge of a wall, a corner, a door jamb or any other place where a small mark does not matter. If the surface is wallpapered or painted, try to include the actual filler layer.
When should the sample be taken?
Take the sample before sanding walls, removing tiles, stripping wallpaper, working on ceiling filler or carrying out any other job that breaks up old filler.
Sampling
How to take a representative sample
- Take a small piece of the filler, not just the surface paint.
- If there are several layers, note exactly where the sample was taken.
- Avoid sanding before the result arrives, because filler dust spreads easily.
If the material crumbles, gives off dust or sits somewhere awkward, do not force it loose. Ask a professional how to take the sample safely if you are unsure.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about asbestos in filler
Check for asbestos in filler before demolition
Order the analysis online, post the sample to us and receive the result by email on the day the sample reaches the laboratory.