Asbestos removal per TRGS 519
Asbestos found? We remove it safely.
Suspected or found asbestos during renovation or demolition? Important: don't remove it yourself. We are a certified specialist under TRGS 519, assess the situation quickly and remediate safely – from containment and clearance testing to disposal with documentation.
What you should do
- Stay calm – undisturbed asbestos isn't acutely dangerous
- Don't enter the area, don't disturb or sand it
- Contact a specialist with TRGS 519 certification
- Take photos and describe the location
What to avoid
- Don't remove, drill, break or sweep it yourself
- Don't dispose of it in household waste
- Don't hire unqualified helpers
How we remove asbestos
Immediate assessment
Describe the situation – we respond fast and assess the urgency.
Safe removal
Containment, negative pressure and protective equipment per TRGS 519.
Clearance testing
After removal the air is measured and cleared.
Disposal with proof
Proper disposal as hazardous waste incl. complete documentation.
Asbestos Found – the First Hours Matter Less Than You Think
The most important point first: undisturbed, bonded asbestos is not an acute danger. What is dangerous is released fibres, and those only appear when the material is drilled, broken, sawn, sanded, swept or pressure-washed. If you have found a suspicious panel and not worked on it, nothing has happened that cannot be resolved calmly.
The one wrong move now would be to pick the material up yourself in order to clear it away quickly. That is exactly how the damage is created.
Do not re-enter the area, do not sweep or vacuum – a household vacuum blows fibres back into the room through the filter. Close doors, take photos, check the building's construction year (asbestos is likely before 1993), stop any ongoing work, and contact a specialist.
How to Recognise It
| Component | Typical year | Binding |
|---|---|---|
| Corrugated roof sheets (Eternit) | 1950 – 1990 | bonded |
| Façade and balcony panels | 1950 – 1990 | bonded |
| Floor-Flex tiles, cushion vinyl | 1960 – 1985 | bonded |
| Black tile or floor adhesive | 1960 – 1985 | bonded |
| Night storage heaters | 1960 – 1977 | loose |
| Fire protection cladding | 1960 – 1990 | loose |
| Sprayed asbestos on steel beams | 1960 – 1979 | loose |
How Bad Is a Single Exposure?
Asbestos risk is a dose risk: it rises with fibre concentration and duration. A single brief contact with an intact panel is not comparable to years of work in contaminated air. If you have accidentally drilled into a panel, have the area wiped down wet rather than swept, do not shake out clothing, and keep the room out of use until it is clarified. Concerns about a specific exposure belong with your doctor, not with a demolition contractor.
Sampling and Analysis
A material sample costs €400 to €1,500 and is taken by an independent expert, not by the contractor doing the work. Without a reliable finding every bidder prices a different risk and the quotes are not comparable.
Notification and Execution
Asbestos work must be notified to the occupational safety authority at least seven days in advance and may only be carried out by firms with recognised competence under TRGS 519. See asbestos remediation and asbestos disposal in Berlin.
Common questions about asbestos
Is asbestos immediately dangerous?
Firmly bound, undisturbed asbestos is usually not acutely dangerous. It becomes dangerous when fibres are released – when drilling, breaking, sanding or demolishing. So: don't do it yourself, call a specialist.
May I remove asbestos myself?
For loosely bound asbestos, commercial properties and rented housing this is ruled out – only firms with recognised competence under TRGS 519 may work there. Small quantities of bonded material in owner-occupied homes are legally not the same case, but we strongly advise against it: approved packaging is not available at a DIY store, and breakage during removal contaminates the surface below.
How quickly can you help?
We usually respond within 24 hours and arrange a short-notice appointment. It's best to describe the situation to us by phone.
How do I know whether it really is asbestos?
Component and construction year narrow it down: for buildings from before 1993 asbestos is likely, typically corrugated Eternit sheets, Floor-Flex tiles, black tile adhesive, window putty and night storage heaters. Only a laboratory analysis gives certainty, at €400 to €1,500 for a sample.
I accidentally drilled into an asbestos panel – what now?
Do not sweep and do not use a household vacuum – it blows fibres back into the room through the filter. Have the area wiped down wet, do not shake out clothing and keep the room out of use until it is clarified. Asbestos risk is a dose risk: a single brief contact is not comparable to years of exposure. For concerns about a specific exposure, speak to your doctor.
What do I do as a tenant if I find asbestos?
Notify the landlord in writing and document the find with photographs. Removal is the owner's responsibility, not yours – do not work on it yourself. With intact bonded material there is usually no immediate need to act; with damaged components or loosely bound asbestos there is.
Your Project
Do you have a demolition project?
Contact us for a free consultation and a non-binding fixed-price quote. We will get back to you within 24 hours.