Skip to main content Scroll Top
TTL PLC, National Control Centre. DN6 7HH

Asbestos Home Testing Kit

The Testing Lab PLC provides UK-wide asbestos home testing kits throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

Asbestos Home Testing Kit

The Testing Lab PLC provides UK-wide asbestos home testing kits throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

Asbestos Home Testing Kits Provided UK-wide

If your property was built or refurbished before 2000, asbestos may be present in some building materials. A home asbestos test kit gives you a simple way to confirm whether a specific suspect material contains asbestos, using independent laboratory analysis.

The Testing Lab PLC provides UK-wide asbestos home testing kits with analysis carried out in our UKAS ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory, giving you reliable results you can trust.

The UKAS Inspection logo features a white magnifying glass inside a circle, topped with a crown, on a blue background. UKAS INSPECTION is written below in bold white letters.

 7758

UKAS accredited asbestos home testing kits

All samples returned through our home testing service are analysed in our purpose-built UKAS accredited laboratory. UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation means the lab has been independently assessed for technical competence, validated methods and consistent quality control.

You receive:

  • A clear asbestos test certificate/report

  • Confirmation of asbestos detected / not detected

  • Identification of asbestos type(s) where present

  • Support from our technical team on next steps

What is asbestos home testing?

Asbestos home testing is the laboratory analysis of a small suspect material sample taken from your home. The purpose is to confirm whether asbestos is present in that specific material, such as a textured coating, board, tile or cement product.

Home testing is often used for peace of mind or to support safe decisions before DIY work or minor refurbishment. If you need a full picture of asbestos risks across a property, you may require an asbestos management survey instead.

When should you use a home asbestos testing kit?

A home test kit may be suitable if:

  • You’ve found a single suspect material and want confirmation

  • You’re planning minor DIY (e.g. drilling, removing a panel, lifting tiles) and want to know if asbestos could be disturbed

  • You’re buying/selling a house and need a quick, reliable result for a particular material

  • You want to check leftover debris from previous works that has already broken off

If you suspect widespread asbestos in a pre-2000 property (multiple rooms/materials), a professional survey is usually the safest and most reliable route.

What materials can you test?

Our home kits are typically used for common domestic materials such as:

Insulating Board:

Gaskets, Rope, Seals, Paper, Felt and Textiles

Asbestos Cement

Textured Coating

Floor Coverings

Ceiling tiles and wall panels should be checked for existing damage as samples are more easily obtained from this type of location.  Ensure any paper on both sides is included.  Recommended size of sample 5cm2.

A representative portion of the material should be taken for analysis.

Due to the high density of the cement matrix, it is preferable to take a sample from an area of existing damage. Recommended size of sample 5cm2.

Due to the irregular distribution of asbestos within this material (1 sample is recommended for each occurrence and each surface/pattern type).  Samples taken from the same room can be placed in one bag to form a composite sample of the material.

Using a sharp knife cut out small sections of floor tiles to full depth and taking care to obtain any adhesive material below (it is recommended 1 sample should be taken for each colour of floor tile).  Asbestos content is low and any fibre release is likely to be negligible.

If you’re unsure whether your material is suitable, contact us and we’ll advise.

How our asbestos home testing service works

  • 1. Order your kit
    Your kit is delivered anywhere in the UK and includes the necessary protective equipment, sealable sample bags, instructions, and return packaging.

    2. Take a small sample (only if safe to do so)
    Follow the safety guidance provided. If sampling isn’t safe or you’re unsure, stop and contact us — we can arrange sampling by a trained surveyor.

    3. Return the sample to our lab
    Use the supplied packaging to return your sample via the approved return method.

    4. UKAS laboratory analysis
    Samples are analysed by qualified analysts using HSE-aligned methods for bulk identification.

    5. Receive your results and advice
    We send your certificate/report securely by email and can explain what the result means for your next steps.

A collection of medical or laboratory kit components, including gloves, bags, pouches, and instructions, each laid out individually on a wooden surface and displayed in a grid format.
Order an asbestos home test kit

To order a kit or ask whether your material is suitable for home testing, contact our team:

Telephone: 0800 177 7264
Email: info@thetestinglab.eu

Or please complete our online request a call back form by clicking the “Call Me” button, and we’ll respond promptly.

Important safety advice for taking samples

Asbestos is only dangerous when fibres become airborne and are inhaled. Disturbing suspect materials can release fibres.

HSE advice is clear that sampling should be carried out by competent persons, and that you should only take your own sample if it can be done without creating dust or spreading debris — for example, if a piece has already broken off.

So:

  • Do not sand, drill, break or aggressively scrape suspect materials.

  • If a material looks damaged or friable, or you’re not confident, do not sample it yourself.

  • We can arrange safe sampling by trained asbestos surveyors if needed.

This approach protects you and ensures your sample is representative.

Why choose The Testing Lab PLC asbestos home testing kit?

UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 accredited analysis
Independent assurance that results are reliable and produced under audited quality systems.

Purpose-built asbestos laboratory
Fast, consistent turnaround without outsourcing.

Clear reports and real support
Results explained in plain English, with practical advice on what to do next.

Nationwide service
Kits delivered and returned from anywhere in the UK.

End-to-end asbestos expertise
If asbestos is found, we can support you with surveys, re-inspections, air monitoring and removal planning.

Frequently asked questions about our asbestos home testing kits

  • Is it safe to take my own asbestos sample?
    It can be safe only in limited situations. HSE advises that you should not take samples if doing so would create dust or spread debris. If you’re unsure, stop and arrange professional sampling.

  • Can a home test kit tell me if my whole house has asbestos?
    No. Home kits test only the specific material you sample. A full asbestos picture needs a management survey carried out by a competent surveyor.

  • What happens if asbestos is detected?
    We’ll confirm the asbestos type and talk you through next steps. In many cases, materials in good condition can be managed in place. If disturbance is planned or the material is high-risk/damaged, professional removal may be required.

  • How quickly will I get results?
    Turnaround depends on service level and sample volumes. Because analysis is done in-house under UKAS accreditation, we can offer fast options and will confirm timescales at purchase/booking.

  • What if my sample is not suitable?
    If the lab can’t analyse your sample (too small, mixed, contaminated), we’ll tell you straight away and advise on next steps.

Our Accredited Testing Services

Asbestos Testing & Analysis
UKAS accredited for bulk materials, soils, and air.
Legionella & Water Compliance
LCA registered risk assessments, testing, and remedial works.
Geotechnical Laboratory Testing
UKAS accredited soil and material testing.
WAC & Radon Testing
Externally accredited testing for waste and radon safety.
Mundic Block Testing
Specialist testing for concrete degradation.
RAAC Testing
Identify and manage RAAC risks in buildings.
An icon of a person above three stars, all in a light grey colour on a white background, representing a user rating or profile review.
Douglas
Lothian Hotels Ltd

Dear The Testing Lab PLC,

Many thanks for your prompt and professional asbestos survey report service, I would not hesitate to recommend your company in this regard.

 

review-us-on-trustpilot-badge-logo2

An icon of a person above three stars, all in a light grey colour on a white background, representing a user rating or profile review.
Anonymous
Poole Housing Partnership

This must be an absolute record for getting a report back, considering the surveyor arrived around 3pm – very well done!
review-us-on-trustpilot-badge-logo2

An icon of a person above three stars, all in a light grey colour on a white background, representing a user rating or profile review.
Anonymous
ECORE Construction

Thank you for the very quick response for the quote and scheduling the survey. There’s never any fuss, and always straight forward. Thanks again.

 

review-us-on-trustpilot-badge-logo2

An icon of a person above three stars, all in a light grey colour on a white background, representing a user rating or profile review.
Stuart Meadowcroft
MRICS

Thank you for offering such a prompt turnaround for ACM testing and for your courteous service in doing so – I had a nervous client to placate and knowing the report would be back with them in such a short time was very reassuring to them, and for no more than a basic service from the competition!

 

review-us-on-trustpilot-badge-logo2

An icon of a person above three stars, all in a light grey colour on a white background, representing a user rating or profile review.
Anonymous
ARW Specialist Building Contractors Limited

Bradley, thank you for your efforts at short notice today, please pass on our gratitude to your surveyor Tim who did your company proud!

 

review-us-on-trustpilot-badge-logo2

An icon of a person above three stars, all in a light grey colour on a white background, representing a user rating or profile review.
Pawel Juraszczyk
British Pepper & Spice
H&S Manager

Thank you very much for the air sampling results – and please accept our grateful thanks for resolving this issue so quickly and for the promptness of the report.

Your analyst, Lee, was very helpful and his suggestions and advice appreciated.

We would have no hesitation in recommending The Testing Lab and will be in touch soon with regards arrangements for a full asbestos survey for the rest of the site.

 

review-us-on-trustpilot-badge-logo2

An icon of a person above three stars, all in a light grey colour on a white background, representing a user rating or profile review.
Gary Collinson MCIOB
Hull City Council
Programme Manager

TTL have been working directly as my analyst for the last 12 months on a very complex asbestos removal scheme, they have achieved all of their KPI’s without fail and on a number of occasions surpassed their SLA in acting for us on planning issues associated with the demolition in regard to contamination which cannot be removed as part of the normal sequence of operation.

 

There reports are always issued within timescales and they have policed the reports by the Licensed asbestos contractor faultlessly sometimes in very difficult circumstances.

 

review-us-on-trustpilot-badge-logo2