Swimming pools should offer a safe, refreshing escape, but for older properties, especially those constructed before the 1980s, an invisible threat may be lurking beneath the surface. Materials like pool tiles, pipe insulation, or filtration linings may contain asbestos. If these elements degrade or are disturbed, asbestos fibres can release into the water or surrounding air, posing a risk to anyone using the pool.
While airborne exposure is widely known, asbestos in swimming pool water is a growing concern, particularly in ageing residential pools, leisure centres, or schools where older construction materials are still in place. From hidden hazards to serious health concerns, this guide outlines the signs, health risks, and asbestos removal process every pool owner should understand.
If you’re unsure whether your swimming pool or spa system is safe, our specialists at All About Asbestos are here to help. We provide expert asbestos surveys, testing, and management services across London and the South East, helping homeowners and leisure facilities stay compliant and protected.
Call us on 01843 600765 or email info@allaboutasbestos.co.uk to arrange your property survey or asbestos quote.
Don’t take chances with asbestos in water. Trust All About Asbestos for reliable, regulated asbestos removal and testing solutions.
What Are The Health Risks Of Asbestos In Swimming Pool Water?
While most people associate asbestos with old roofing or insulation, it can also pose serious dangers when present in swimming pool water. Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) around older pools, like tiles, grouting, insulation, or filtration systems, can deteriorate over time, releasing microscopic fibres into the water or air.
Key Health Risks Of Exposure:
- Mesothelioma: A rare but aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs or abdomen. It’s directly linked to asbestos exposure and has no known cure.
- Asbestosis: A chronic lung condition caused by the build-up of scar tissue from inhaled asbestos fibres. It leads to shortness of breath and long-term breathing difficulties.
- Lung cancer: Prolonged exposure to airborne asbestos, even in small doses, can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer, especially for smokers.
- Respiratory irritation: Even short-term exposure to disturbed asbestos fibres can cause coughing, wheezing, and discomfort, particularly around unsealed filters or during pool renovation.
- Risks to children and pets: Young children and animals are especially vulnerable. Their smaller bodies and faster breathing rates can result in deeper fibre penetration and higher health risks over time.
- Environmental contamination: Once fibres enter the pool water, they can travel into surrounding soil, garden drains, or groundwater systems, posing broader risks beyond the immediate pool area.
Important Tip: The health impact of asbestos is cumulative. Even a few disturbances around an old pool can lead to fibre release, so any suspected contamination should be professionally assessed.
How To Safely Remove Asbestos From A Swimming Pool
Managing asbestos in swimming pool water or surrounding materials is a highly specialised process that must follow strict safety regulations. Whether you’re renovating an old domestic pool or managing a leisure centre, professional detection and removal are critical to protecting health and avoiding legal consequences.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how certified professionals approach the process:
1. Detection And Identification
Before any work begins, a certified asbestos inspection is carried out. This involves a complete visual survey and material sampling in areas known to contain ACMs (asbestos-containing materials), such as:
- Decorative pool tiles and older cement finishes (e.g. Marblesheen)
- Pipe lagging, pump insulation, and filtration components
- External render or plaster near the pool
Samples are sent to an accredited lab for asbestos testing to confirm contamination.
Did You Know? Many pools built before 1985 were finished using asbestos-based coatings that now pose a hidden hazard.
2. Risk Assessment And Safety Planning
Once asbestos is identified, a thorough risk assessment is required to evaluate:
- The condition and accessibility of asbestos-containing materials
- The likelihood of fibre release during removal
- Required containment and PPE levels for safety
This plan must comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and be approved by a qualified project supervisor. For residential or leisure centre environments, this step is legally mandatory.
3. Recognising The Warning Signs
Before starting any repairs or renovation work, it’s crucial to understand the warning signs of asbestos in swimming pool areas, especially in older constructions. Disturbing these materials without testing can release dangerous fibres into the water or air.
Common signs to watch for include:
- Crumbling tiles, broken grouting, or peeling finishes
- Fine dust near filters, pumps, or skimmers
- Strange particles or discolouration in the water
- Breathing discomfort or irritation near the pool
- Recent plumbing or structural work done on an older pool
If you spot any of these signs, stop all maintenance immediately and arrange for a professional asbestos survey and water testing for the pool.
4. Area Containment And PPE Setup
To prevent asbestos fibres from spreading through the water or air, the pool area must be sealed using:
- Industrial-grade plastic sheeting and airtight seals
- Negative air pressure systems and HEPA-filtered air units
- Warning signs and restricted access points
All personnel must wear appropriate PPE, including:
- HEPA-filtered respirator
- Disposable coveralls
- Safety goggles, gloves, and sealed footwear
5. Safe Removal Of Asbestos Pool Materials
Only licensed asbestos removal specialists should carry out this stage. It includes:
- Wetting down materials to prevent dust release
- Gently removing tiles or cement using hand tools only
- Avoiding breakage or fragmentation of asbestos materials
- Placing all waste in labelled, double-sealed containers ready for regulated asbestos disposal
This step is carefully monitored to avoid contaminating pool water or surrounding structures.
6. Cleaning, HEPA Vacuuming And Decontamination
Once all ACMs are removed, the area must be thoroughly cleaned using:
- Class-H HEPA-filtered vacuum systems
- Wet-wiping methods to remove residual fibres from surfaces
- Sealed bagging of all waste materials, filters, and disposables
No dry sweeping or standard vacuuming is allowed during this stage.
7. Air Quality Testing And Certification
After the clean-up, a third-party expert will perform air monitoring to ensure the site is safe for re-entry. If no airborne fibres are detected, a clearance certificate is issued.
This certificate is essential before the pool can be reused, whether in a domestic property, a hotel, or a public leisure centre.
Trust All About Asbestos For Safe Pool Renovation And Removal
Dealing with asbestos in swimming pool water or its surrounding structure is a matter of safety and health. Whether you’re renovating a domestic pool or managing a public leisure centre, professional expertise is essential to ensure full compliance and long-term protection.
At All About Asbestos, we specialise in asbestos surveys, testing, removal, and disposal services tailored for pool environments. With over 30 years of hands-on industry experience, our certified team helps homeowners, businesses, and facility managers navigate complex regulations and safely remove asbestos.
Why Choose All About Asbestos?
- HSE-Compliant and Fully Certified
- Comprehensive Asbestos Services
- Trusted Across London and the South East
- Specialists in Pool Environments
- Strict Safety Protocols
Contact us today by calling 01843 600765 or emailing info@allaboutasbestos.co.uk to book your free consultation or request an asbestos quote.
