Could it have asbestos?
Discussion
Hi all,
We recently purchased a property (our first place) and today the Home Buyers Report came back.
The property was built in 1988 and has Artex on the walls that are structual, so the outside walls in each room.
The Home Buyers report has said it may be Asbestos in the artex but couldnt check just visually.
Now as the property is only 24 years old what is the likely hood it does have Asbestos?
Im planning to get my solicitor to speak to the Sellers solicitor about it. Would I have to pay to have it checked and possibley removed or would that fall on the seller to sort out?
Any help would be great.
Thanks
We recently purchased a property (our first place) and today the Home Buyers Report came back.
The property was built in 1988 and has Artex on the walls that are structual, so the outside walls in each room.
The Home Buyers report has said it may be Asbestos in the artex but couldnt check just visually.
Now as the property is only 24 years old what is the likely hood it does have Asbestos?
Im planning to get my solicitor to speak to the Sellers solicitor about it. Would I have to pay to have it checked and possibley removed or would that fall on the seller to sort out?
Any help would be great.
Thanks
It's possible, but most likely surveyor covering himself.
It's only certain types that are dangerous, and even then, they're only dangerous in the form of dust.
Just plaster over them, that's the easiest and cheapest solution.
As it's safe as it is undisturbed, I'd say it's your responsibility to pay to sort it once you've bought the house, not quite sure what the solicitors are going to do about it, it's not against any law, and asking for money off might piss the sellers off.
It's only certain types that are dangerous, and even then, they're only dangerous in the form of dust.
Just plaster over them, that's the easiest and cheapest solution.
As it's safe as it is undisturbed, I'd say it's your responsibility to pay to sort it once you've bought the house, not quite sure what the solicitors are going to do about it, it's not against any law, and asking for money off might piss the sellers off.
Slagathore said:
It's only certain types that are dangerous, and even then, they're only dangerous in the form of dust.
All asbestos is carcinogenic and its the fibre that does the damage and it only takes one fibre, best err on the safe side but as said if its undesturbed it will be safe.From memory non-asbestos Artex type products were available from the 1970s and all supposedly ceased using it by mid 1980s.
It doesn't cost much to send a sample for analysis, it is at the very low risk end of the spectrum if present, and DIY removal is legal. Most surveys suggest the risk of the presence of asbestos to avoid come back.
It doesn't cost much to send a sample for analysis, it is at the very low risk end of the spectrum if present, and DIY removal is legal. Most surveys suggest the risk of the presence of asbestos to avoid come back.
grayr said:
All asbestos is carcinogenic and its the fibre that does the damage and it only takes one fibre, best err on the safe side but as said if its undesturbed it will be safe.
True, perhaps not dangerous wasn't the best wording, but certainly not the most dangerous of the asbestos types.Defcon5 said:
As kids/delinquents/promising footballers we made a lot of bonfires, plenty of which contained that corrugated asbestos sheeting used in garages, which we used to break up and throw on (I think it burned green!)
Just how soon will I be dead?
Don't think asbestos burns mate. It used to be used in safes as a fireproof barrier for example.Just how soon will I be dead?
Gingerbread Man said:
Don't think asbestos burns mate. It used to be used in safes as a fireproof barrier for example.
The whole point of asbestos is that it doesn't burn. They didn't use it to give people cancer, they used it to stop buildings burning down!There is blue and white asbestos; one is far worse than the other. But really, this 'OMG it's asbestos we're all going to die' is just another symptom of the fear + over-information + ignorance age we live in.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma
Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 17th June 22:34
Simpo Two said:
The whole point of asbestos is that it doesn't burn. They didn't use it to give people cancer, they used it to stop buildings burning down!
There is blue and white asbestos; one is far worse than the other. But really, this 'OMG it's asbestos we're all going to die' is just another symptom of the fear + over-information + ignorance age we live in.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma
I know that, it was said in a sarcy kind of way. Hence the fire proof safe back up comment.There is blue and white asbestos; one is far worse than the other. But really, this 'OMG it's asbestos we're all going to die' is just another symptom of the fear + over-information + ignorance age we live in.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesothelioma
Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 17th June 22:34
Shouldn't burn as it was used as an insulater against heat in boilers fires etc.
It was used in varying quantities in loads of materials from asbestos cement roofing (the grey corrugated stuff) and similar walls for garages etc, it is found in sime roofing tiles, bitumen coatings and loads more. I lost a good friend many years ago to asbestosis, he died in his early fifties, having worked for about 4 years in the ship yards dimantling & repairing ships boilers.
As has been said, it is all carcinogenic to a lesser or greater extent and yes one fibre is all it takes. The blue asbestos was considered the worst, there were also grey and white.
I remember the asbestos roof on the old garage I dismantled in the early 80's, -- smashed it in to the floor then swept it up and put it into a skip--- wouldn't be allowed now. Didn't wear a mask or anything cos it was just not really consideered dangerous then.
Now it is a specialist job to remove and dispose of.
As said above the stuff is only risky if broken up, sanded or similar. If damp then the fibres stay together more. AS far as the artex walls are concerned the best way of dealing with it is skimming over with a fresh layer of plaster.
ps many refuse tips won't take plasterboard now either incase it contains asbestos or other carcinogenic materials
pps I was told in an asbestos lecture that the "snow" in 1930's & 40's Hollywood films was neat asbestos, it was blown around all over as it looked so real........
It was used in varying quantities in loads of materials from asbestos cement roofing (the grey corrugated stuff) and similar walls for garages etc, it is found in sime roofing tiles, bitumen coatings and loads more. I lost a good friend many years ago to asbestosis, he died in his early fifties, having worked for about 4 years in the ship yards dimantling & repairing ships boilers.
As has been said, it is all carcinogenic to a lesser or greater extent and yes one fibre is all it takes. The blue asbestos was considered the worst, there were also grey and white.
I remember the asbestos roof on the old garage I dismantled in the early 80's, -- smashed it in to the floor then swept it up and put it into a skip--- wouldn't be allowed now. Didn't wear a mask or anything cos it was just not really consideered dangerous then.
Now it is a specialist job to remove and dispose of.
As said above the stuff is only risky if broken up, sanded or similar. If damp then the fibres stay together more. AS far as the artex walls are concerned the best way of dealing with it is skimming over with a fresh layer of plaster.
ps many refuse tips won't take plasterboard now either incase it contains asbestos or other carcinogenic materials
pps I was told in an asbestos lecture that the "snow" in 1930's & 40's Hollywood films was neat asbestos, it was blown around all over as it looked so real........
Simpo Two said:
But really, this 'OMG it's asbestos we're all going to die' is just another symptom of the fear + over-information + ignorance age we live in.
I'll remember to quote that to my old man, my Grandfather and a couple of dozen of their friends & colleagues if i ever meet them when i shuffle off this Earth.To the OP. If you suspect it is in the Artex (most likely Chrysotile) get it tested then you can decide what, if anything, to do about it.
grayr said:
All asbestos is carcinogenic and its the fibre that does the damage and it only takes one fibre, best err on the safe side but as said if its undesturbed it will be safe.
There are two types of asbestos. The one you breathe in every breath, which isn't actually harmful. The other type is quite nasty, and does you no good at all.The latter type was used in HP steam systems, rather than houses, so you are probably safe from asbestos but at risk from being scaread out of money.
you breathe in at least 1,000,000 fibres a day, as did your ancestors. Be sure you know what sort you are dealing with.
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