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Building an extension for my mother-in-law

I love my mother-in-law but I never planned on living with her permanently. I have been enjoying her living with us now that we have kids but I feel like we all need some extra space so I am getting a granny flat built at the back of our block. This should allow us to have some extra space to make sure everyone has the privacy that they need whilst we can still be a family. This block has some tip on the process of building a granny flat including how to choose a contractor and how to get the council approval for the build.

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Building an extension for my mother-in-law

What to Do If You Find Asbestos in Your Home

by Chloe Cooper

Asbestos is a dangerous material that can cause serious health problems if you breathe in fibres that flake away from it. Due to its fire resistance and highly insulating nature, asbestos once was used heavily in the construction of homes and other buildings, long before its negative health effects came to light. If you live in an older home, it is possible that it contains asbestos. Read on to find out what you should do if you discover asbestos during a home renovation project.

1. Do Not Disturb the Asbestos

If you think you have found asbestos, it is important not to touch or otherwise disturb it. Leave it alone and call an asbestos removal service right away. They can send someone out to inspect the material you have found to confirm whether it is asbestos. Never try to remove asbestos yourself, as trying to cut or detach it can cause fibres to break loose, which puts you at risk of breathing them in.

2. See Your Doctor if You Have Inhaled Asbestos

If you think you might have breathed in asbestos fibres, then you should see your regular doctor and ask them to make a note in your file of a possible asbestos exposure. Try not to worry too much — most cases of people developing asbestos-related conditions occur after they have been exposed repeatedly over a number of years. However, it is important to get the exposure recorded so doctors can take it into account if you ever develop symptoms.

3. Choose Between Asbestos Removal or Management

Asbestos is relatively safe as long as it is never disturbed. If you have it in your home, then you can choose between asbestos removal, which means removing it from your home completely, and asbestos management, which means sealing it away so that it cannot do you any harm. Whichever option you choose, it is important to work with a professional asbestos service. They can advise you on your options and let you know the costs, risks and benefits of each choice.

4. Know Where Asbestos Is Located in Your Home

If you find asbestos in one location in your home, then it is possible that it is present in other areas too. Asbestos can be found in ceiling tiles, floor tiles, roof shingles, cement, insulation, and even textured paint. Contact an asbestos testing service to find out whether asbestos is present in your home before you start doing major renovation works.

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