glazing putties
- Application, products: sealing of windows
- Types of asbestos: predominantly chrysotile, rarely amosite; asbestos content: traces up to a few percent
You want to repair, restore or replace your old windows? Be careful with windows that were installed before 1990! There is a risk of asbestos in the window putty here.
When old window caulking is worked on or removed, carcinogenic asbestos fibers can become airborne. These fibers settle in the lungs and can lead to fatal diseases. To protect yourself, always have the building materials being worked on tested for asbestos and take the necessary safety precautions before renovating or refurbishing.
As an accredited asbestos laboratory with many years of experience, CRB reliably tests your window putty for asbestos. Simply send in a sample and quickly have certainty as to whether your building material contains asbestos.
Our services for you
- analysis for asbestos carried out by qualified scientists in our own accredited laboratory
- short processing time, as a rule 3 days after sample receipt
- court-proof analysis
- regular participation in collaborative studies in the field of asbestos analysis
Costs for the analysis for asbestos in glazing putties
Analysis as material sample according to VDI guideline 3866, page 5 for
€ 85.00 net or € 101.15 VAT incl.
More examples in our asbestos house....
Frequently asked questions about asbestos in window putty
Until when was asbestos used in old window putty?
There was not a Germany-wide ban on asbestos until 1993, although the dangers of asbestos had been known for much longer. However, the use of asbestos in window putty was discontinued around 1990. Therefore, caution is advised with all windows that were installed or refurbished earlier.
For which types of windows was asbestos-containing mastic used?
Many types of old window and sash putty contain asbestos. For example, window putty containing asbestos is often found in historic homes, such as half-timbered houses, but also in greenhouses. The putty was used to insulate and seal the glass panes.
Window putty is usually suitable for wood or metal windows. Therefore, there is a risk of asbestos release when you do work on old wood windows or metal windows.
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What types of asbestos can be found in window putty?
Chrysotile is predominantly found in window putty, amosite more rarely.
What is the possible asbestos content of asbestos in window putty?
Asbestos can be found in window putty in trace amounts up to a few percent.
What are the dangers of asbestos in window putty?
When you renovate or restore windows, damage to the old window putty can release previously bonded asbestos fibers. If these fibers are inhaled, they become permanently lodged in the lungs and can lead to serious to fatal diseases. And they often do so decades after exposure to asbestos.
One possible consequence of asbestos exposure is so-called asbestosis (asbestos lung). It can lead to scarring of the lung tissue, severe breathing problems, and even fatal diseases such as lung cancer or pleural cancer.
Even if you don't plan to remove your old windows, you should always have asbestos-containing window putty removed by a professional company. Since the material can become brittle and porous over the years, the release of the carcinogenic fibers cannot be ruled out.
More examples in our asbestos house....
How do I know if a window putty contains asbestos?
The very first thing you should look for is the year the house was built: If your house was built after 1993, there should be no asbestos there. Not even in the putty.
If the house was built before 1990, you should definitely expect to find asbestos in your window putty and should not do any work on the windows without an asbestos test. Since asbestos cannot be seen with the naked eye, analysis in a testing laboratory is the only sure way to detect or rule out the presence of the contaminant in putty.
What to do with window putty containing asbestos?
As long as the old putty is not damaged and the asbestos is bound, there is no danger. However, it becomes dangerous when window putty containing asbestos dries out or becomes brittle and releases asbestos fibers.
So if you are planning to renovate or rebuild, you should definitely call in a specialized glazier who will take care of the professional removal of the asbestos-containing window putty.
What should be done when disposing of window putty with asbestos?
Caution is required not only during the refurbishment. Certain measures and guidelines must also be observed when disposing of the mastics. Under no circumstances should materials containing asbestos be disposed of normally in residual waste, as there is still a risk of asbestos fiber release.
Incorrect handling of window putty and its improper disposal are punishable by law. Therefore, if you hire specialized craftsmen to remove the asbestos-containing materials, they can also dispose of the window putty properly. It is important that the company can show the necessary certifications according to TRGS 519 (small asbestos certificate). Without this certificate, companies are not authorized to work with asbestos-containing materials.
If you want to dispose of an asbestos-containing window yourself, then you should check with your local recycling center.
Identification of asbestos in glazing putties by means of SEM images and energy-dispersive element-spectra
Archive for the provision of preparations for asbestos analysis
Scanning electron micrograph of chrysotile asbestos in window putty.
Energy dispersive element spectrum of chrysotile - asbestos in window putty
