Asbestos in a 1980s house is a topic where many owners come to the wrong conclusion. The assumption that asbestos was no longer used in the 80s is wrong. The use decreased significantly and there were more restrictions, but asbestos-containing materials were sold and installed in Finland until 1994. That's why there is still a realistic asbestos risk in the building stock from the 80s, and a survey is required by law before renovation.
The turn of the 1980s in the use of asbestos
The 1980s was a turning point in the use of asbestos in Finland. Information about the health risks spread, and the authorities began to limit the use of the most dangerous types of asbestos. The main milestones were:
- 1976, when sprayed asbestos was already prohibited under a previous decision.
- 1988, whereby crocidolite and amosite, the two most dangerous types of asbestos, were banned.
- 1.1.1994, when the import, manufacture, sale and use of all asbestos-containing materials was completely prohibited.
At the beginning of the 80s, asbestos was still widely used, but the use clearly decreased as the decade progressed. However, asbestos-containing products that were in storage were still used for a long time, and therefore, even in buildings from the end of the decade, asbestos can be found in surprising places.
Typical asbestos findings from a 1980s house
The same findings are repeated in the survey reports of the 80s:
- Remains of old pipe insulation, especially if the building is connected to an older district heating network or the heat distribution room has not been renovated.
- Tile adhesives in bathrooms and splash guards in kitchens, especially in properties from the beginning of the decade.
- Fillers, which were still widely used before the early 1990s.
- Waterproofing in old bathrooms.
- Air conditioning gaskets and fire penetration compounds.
- Fire doors structural layers.
- vinyl flooring and flooring adhesives in common areas and stairwells.
- Old putties in the windows, if the building represents the early 80s.
In almost all of the points mentioned above, the risk depends on whether old stock items or residual installations from previously removed sources were still used during construction.
Why is surveying still legal?
The legislation does not look at the building's typical risk profile, but at the year of construction. An asbestos survey is mandatory in all sites built before 1994 where demolition or renovation of the original structures is carried out. That is why all houses from the 80s are automatically covered by the survey obligation. The limit is clear and applies to detached houses, townhouses and apartment buildings.
Supervisory authorities, such as the Regional Administration Office and the Occupational Safety and Health Authority, do not make exceptions based on the year of construction. In practice, every contractor requires a survey report before starting work, and without it demolition is against the law.
What does surveying in an 80s house usually reveal
The final result of a survey in an 80s building varies. About half of the surveys contain something containing asbestos, and the findings focus on screeds, tile adhesives and small sealants in technical spaces in bathrooms. In buildings from the end of the decade, finds are rarer, but not non-existent. Even a negative result is valuable information, as it frees up renovation planning and keeps the contract price predictable.
Plan the renovation correctly from the first step
If you live in a 1980 building and are considering renovation, order an asbestos survey right at the beginning of the planning phase. This way you get a clear picture of the structures, the contract calculation remains accurate and no surprising additional work is created on the site. Asbesti.pro quickly forwards the survey to a qualified professional and provides you with a report that is acceptable to the authorities. Order an asbestos survey for your 1980s house and make sure that the renovation proceeds according to the law without unnecessary risks.