HSE says asbestos may be found in any building built or refurbished before the year 2000, including in asbestos cement flues and in lagging on pipes and boilers, so tell your installer about any you know of or suspect before work starts.

Why the age of the property matters

HSE says asbestos was widely used in commercial buildings, homes and machinery until it was banned in 1999. It advises that asbestos may be part of any commercial or domestic building built or refurbished before the year 2000. The guidance below is from HSE, which regulates in Great Britain, and refers to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012; if you live in Northern Ireland, check the position there separately.

HSE notes that asbestos is common in the general environment, but that working directly with asbestos-containing materials can give personal exposures to airborne asbestos much higher than normal environmental levels, which is why disturbance during building work is the concern.

Where it may be found near a boiler

HSE lists places asbestos can typically still be found, including asbestos cement products such as pipes, flues and roofs; lagging on pipes and boilers; water tanks and toilet cisterns; asbestos insulating board, which closely resembles typical plasterboard; loose asbestos in ceiling and wall cavities; sprayed coatings; textured decorative coatings such as Artex; and floor tiles. Of these, flues and lagging on pipes and boilers are the items most directly relevant to a boiler replacement.

What HSE says householders should do

HSE says not to try to repair or remove asbestos materials yourself if you have not had training for non-licensed asbestos work, and suggests seeking advice from an environmental health officer at the local council. GOV.UK’s page on asbestos in your home also points you to your local council for information about asbestos and its disposal. If you are sure or strongly suspect your home contains asbestos, HSE says it is often best to leave materials where they are, especially if they are in good condition and unlikely to be damaged, and to check them from time to time. Sprayed coatings, lagging or insulation and asbestos insulating board should only be removed by a contractor licensed by HSE.

HSE adds that slightly damaged asbestos-containing materials can sometimes be repaired by sealing or enclosing them, but only by someone with the necessary training, and that badly damaged material likely to be damaged further should be removed if it cannot be protected.

Telling your installer

If you bring in builders, maintenance workers or contractors, HSE says you should tell them about any asbestos materials in your home before they start. This helps reduce the risk that they disturb it, and HSE strongly encourages the use of trained professionals to repair or remove asbestos-containing materials. It says tradespeople and maintenance workers who disturb the fabric of buildings are those considered most at risk of exposure. Consider asking the quote to say who will deal with asbestos if it is found, and what happens to your timetable and costs if work has to stop.

The legal position, waste and second-hand items

HSE explains that the general duties in section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 apply to protect householders from risks from work activities carried out in their homes, and that where work involves asbestos-containing materials, the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 also apply, in particular regulations 11, 15 and 16. In owner-occupied homes, it says owners are not legally responsible for risks to contractors from asbestos, because owners are not themselves engaged in a work activity. Asbestos-containing materials must be legally disposed of as hazardous waste and not mixed with ordinary household waste, so contact your local authority about collection or facilities. HSE also says it is illegal to supply any article containing asbestos, whether for money or free of charge.

FAQs

Does having asbestos in my home mean I must have it removed?

Not necessarily. In its guidance on asbestos in buildings, HSE says the presence of asbestos alone should not be a cause for concern and that it only becomes a risk to health when released into the air and breathed in. Materials in good condition and unlikely to be damaged can often be left in place and monitored.

Can I remove an asbestos flue myself?

HSE advises against repairing or removing asbestos materials yourself if you are untrained, and says some materials must only be removed by an HSE-licensed contractor. Ask your local council for advice.

Does this apply in Northern Ireland?

HSE’s guidance and the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 apply in Great Britain. If you live in Northern Ireland, check the position with the relevant authority there.

Bottom line

If your home was built or refurbished before 2000, assume asbestos may be present in materials near your boiler and flue, tell your installer before work begins and let a trained or licensed professional handle anything you cannot rule out. This is general safety information; ask your local council or HSE for advice on your situation.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 20 September 2026:

• Health and Safety Executive, “Asbestos: frequently asked questions”
• GOV.UK, “Asbestos in your home”

Related guides

Best Boiler Deals is an independent guide. We may earn a fee from some links; this never affects what we write. This article is general information, not regulated advice on any specific installation — always confirm the details with a Gas Safe registered engineer.