Asbestos in old brick mortar?

Ryan DIY

New Member
I’m preparing my garden for some new decking and I have been digging up some old paving slabs and a small raised (brick) flower bed. I came across these fibre like strands attached to the rubble, under the cement. I noticed it on another area too.

the house was built approximately 1993. The development was built on an old school that was demolished in the late 1980’s.
 

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Does it melt if you apply a flame? It could be deliberately added (glass fibre, plastic), or just something that's got into the mix by mistake (fabric, somethimng organic, whatever). My bet's on the latter, it does not look like normal reinforcing material, too long.
 
I’m preparing my garden for some new decking and I have been digging up some old paving slabs and a small raised (brick) flower bed. I came across these fibre like strands attached to the rubble, under the cement. I noticed it on another area too.

the house was built approximately 1993. The development was built on an old school that was demolished in the late 1980’s.
 
Hi there,
Those "fibres" look rather like horse hair. It was used quite often as a means to reinforce plaster. Have seen it in older victorian properties especially old lathe and plaster internal walls and ceilings where some movement was expected and to help prevent cracking. Can't say as I've seen it used in in mortar or concrete though.
If in doubt there are DIY kits available to send suspect materials to a lab for testing if you want.
 
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