Asbestos window putty and window replacement
Have the putty and materials affected by removal assessed before replacing old windows. Define any asbestos removal and the window installer’s next steps before the existing frame is dismantled.
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Glazing putty, seals and the window surround
Brussels Environment lists window joints and mastics among possible asbestos applications. This does not mean that every old sealant contains asbestos. Distinguish glazing putty, the seal between the frame and masonry, the sill and surrounding plaster. These may have been replaced at different times. The report needs to locate the material actually examined; a result for adjacent plaster does not automatically describe the putty.
Coordinate removal with window replacement
Locate each opening before comparing quotes
Use simple references on a plan: street elevation, first floor, left window, for example. Match analysis references to those locations. Mention windows renewed at another time and areas not examined. Ask the removal quote to cover the same openings as the window installer’s quote.
Plan the gap between contractors
Who closes and protects the opening if installation does not immediately follow removal? Who checks the usable dimensions afterwards? Agree these points, access and handover before booking dates. Rain protection, securing the home and internal finishes each need an assigned contractor.
Prepare your quote
List the windows by floor and elevation, dimensions already known, outside access and occupied rooms. State whether only the glass or the complete frame will be replaced. Separate removal, waste, temporary closure, new windows and plaster repairs in the quotes.
- Windows located with report references
- Glass replacement or complete frame removal
- Access by elevation and floor, occupied rooms
- Temporary closure and making good after removal
Before work starts
The removal method depends on the product, its condition and the planned work. Have the required competence and procedures checked for your site. Demotek prepares asbestos removal based on identified materials; explicitly assign supply and installation of new windows to the window contractor.
Demotek SRL (enterprise number 0783.397.239) appears on the official FPS Employment list. Approval covers glove-bag removal and hermetically sealed enclosures. The method suited to your site is defined after assessment.
Asbestos rules and official sourcesYour questions
Can asbestos window putty be identified by its colour?
No. Grey, brown or black colouring cannot identify asbestos. Have the product compared with the report descriptions. If further analysis is needed, have a professional arrange sampling without removing a piece yourself.
Official sources
Does the putty need checking if I replace only the glass?
Yes. Explain exactly what the glazier needs to remove. Keeping the frame does not mean the putty or seals will remain intact. Have the affected materials assessed before work and identify previously replaced panes, which may have different products around them.
Does a plaster analysis around the frame cover the sealant?
Not automatically. Plaster, the perimeter seal and glazing putty are separate elements. Ask the professional to compare the report’s coverage with the planned removal. Plaster repairs should also be specified separately from asbestos removal.
What should an asbestos window putty removal quote include?
The window count alone is insufficient: specify identified products, affected openings, height and access. Ask which frames or panes are removed with the material, how waste is handled and the condition in which the opening is handed over to the window installer.
The new frame meets old facade cladding: who coordinates the work?
Flag the junction to the window installer and removal contractor. Ask which panels, fixings and finishes around the opening will be affected. A putty assessment does not automatically cover cladding. Agree the work sequence, temporary closure and junctions with planned insulation.