Asbestos?

[thebadger7]

Hi guys

Doing some decorating on a late 1800s property, Victorian red brick and concerned over absestos.

Chimney breast in dining room is boxed in with plasterboard so pulling this down. Behind skirting, noticed dark matetial between brick work that looks like it has some big fibres in it - see photo.

I know i could get it tested, but also don't want to disturb it in case it is asbestos...

Any thoughts?

Cheers

 

[footprints]

Looks like bitumen DPC which is like heavy duty roofing felt and normally contains asbestos. Strange though in a Victorian house (London) they usually had slate DPC's might have been a later addition or perhaps it was common in your area.

Looking again it looks too high for a DPC may have been used to block damp, still looks like felt and that age asbestos is very likely.

At least it does not normally spread fibres if left alone as they are encased in bitumen.