Survey results and Asbestos
Discussion
Chaps gone round, says it is safe in its current form and is asbestos cement. Its like corragated boarding. He stated as long as not disturbed would not present a problem, and that ventilation gaps and tiling could be done without moving it.
He quoted £4200 to remove it but said it would need a full roof lift and it goes through to the neighbouring property so it would not be a straightforward job. Therefore, just leave as is and monitor.
Interestingly he said the ceilings may contain asbestos, and that he could sample it. If so to remove the ceilings and leave an empty space would be cicra £2000. To plaster over again would be whatever that cost, no idea what plaster boarding cost but for 3 rooms I was thinking around £500 ish?
So all in all it's ok. Question now is do I try and subtract the cost of re plastering the ceilings or should I just forget about it and move on.
He quoted £4200 to remove it but said it would need a full roof lift and it goes through to the neighbouring property so it would not be a straightforward job. Therefore, just leave as is and monitor.
Interestingly he said the ceilings may contain asbestos, and that he could sample it. If so to remove the ceilings and leave an empty space would be cicra £2000. To plaster over again would be whatever that cost, no idea what plaster boarding cost but for 3 rooms I was thinking around £500 ish?
So all in all it's ok. Question now is do I try and subtract the cost of re plastering the ceilings or should I just forget about it and move on.
Dizeee said:
Forgot to mention, he said that he recommends a hoover off of the material followed by a spray to conceal it all and quoted £550 to do that. Probably going to go down that route, might get the vendor to do it.
NO!!!!Please don't vacuum suspected asbestos. There is a good chance asbestos will pass through the filter and just be circulated.
If you feel you must do anything, spray with an airless spray and even then, wear the right dust mask.
Pistom said:
Dizeee said:
Forgot to mention, he said that he recommends a hoover off of the material followed by a spray to conceal it all and quoted £550 to do that. Probably going to go down that route, might get the vendor to do it.
NO!!!!Please don't vacuum suspected asbestos. There is a good chance asbestos will pass through the filter and just be circulated.
If you feel you must do anything, spray with an airless spray and even then, wear the right dust mask.
Although personally I would save £550 and just Unibond it .
Edited by roofer on Tuesday 23 June 17:49
I've seen this a few times (my business is Asbestos Surveying)
My usual advice is pretty much as per the guy who has been out and checked it, i.e. seal using a PVA solution or specialist barrier type paint such as
ET150 - (http://www.safetyindustries.co.uk/acatalog/IDENDEN-ET150-10LTR-SPRAY-I10015X.html.)
With it being under the tiles there will be little of no degradation of the cement so the material will still be sufficiently bonded.
It is relatively safe to drill or work with with the correct control measures in place (http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/#a1) - see under working with Asbestos Cement
I wouldn't worry about it if it was my house, but I would use it as a bargaining tool for getting the price down.
My usual advice is pretty much as per the guy who has been out and checked it, i.e. seal using a PVA solution or specialist barrier type paint such as
ET150 - (http://www.safetyindustries.co.uk/acatalog/IDENDEN-ET150-10LTR-SPRAY-I10015X.html.)
With it being under the tiles there will be little of no degradation of the cement so the material will still be sufficiently bonded.
It is relatively safe to drill or work with with the correct control measures in place (http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/#a1) - see under working with Asbestos Cement
I wouldn't worry about it if it was my house, but I would use it as a bargaining tool for getting the price down.
Dizeee said:
When you say Unibond it, what do you mean exactly? Spray it with Unibond myself?
PVA, available by the gallon for peanuts, Us. Old timers still call it Unibond, or as recommended by Silva.Water it down, put it in one of those garden spray bottle things, and give it a couple of coats.
Get a white paper suit with a hood as you will get misted with it.
Did your man air test the loft, or did he just confirm sheet content ?
That's going to bug me how they fixed the tile battens, those sheets are definitely acting as cross bracing for the rafters though.
Keep the loft well insulated, any warm air hitting the underside of those sheets will condensate badly. Saying that, the timbers look good.
Edited by roofer on Tuesday 23 June 20:33
You don't know how much that lining was disturbed when they tiled the roof. The loft could be full of fibres. It also is suggested that you have 1960's art ex ceilings which contain asbestos. Replasterboarding will release those fibres. Personally I wouldn't want to bring up my family in that place and how would you feel if someone were to be made I'll by it in years to come. if I were you I'd walk away - plenty more asbestos free properties about.
elanfan said:
You don't know how much that lining was disturbed when they tiled the roof. The loft could be full of fibres. It also is suggested that you have 1960's art ex ceilings which contain asbestos. Replasterboarding will release those fibres. Personally I wouldn't want to bring up my family in that place and how would you feel if someone were to be made I'll by it in years to come. if I were you I'd walk away - plenty more asbestos free properties about.
Yet a survey and an asbestos specialist has deemed it perfectly safe and even workable for the most part. I think id be a fool to ealk away. We spent months looking at everything in our price range and trust me this house is a one off.Result, chatted with my vendor today and he has agreed to have the loft work done by the azzy specialist, the vacuum and ET150 spray, and pay for it all e.t.c. at a cost of around £850 so that's that issue sorted. Also had a chat with a local roofer who said the sheets have a very small proportion of asbestos in them anyway, and that they are fairly easy to work around.
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