Another asbestos thread - dealing with it.

[David W.E. Roberts]

Hi,

having read all the wild optimism and crazy doom predicitons, I am seeking a balanced view :-)

We are in the process of purchasing a property.

The survey shows possible 'bad' asbestos - ceiling insulating boards in the garage. We are waiting for the results of analysis.

The 'leave alone' advice doesn't seem appropriate because the boards are extensively damaged.

Fron Googling and talking to the local council there seem two options (ignoring the total DIY solutions).

(1) Employ specialist contractors (£ OUCH!)

(2) Employ a knowledgable builder who knows how to take the correct precautions, and dispose of the waste at the local tip (£ ouch!)

We are told the local tip will take 3 sheets (3x2) double bagged for £25.

Has anyone recently dealt with a similar problem?

We also have quite a lot of white asbestos cement products, but allegedly they are easy to deal with compared to the brown/blue variants.

If anyone has had blue/brown asbestos removed, we would welcome feedback on the cost and methods.

We will shortly have to negotiate over the costs of the removal with the vendor - always assuming that the analysis does show 'bad' asbestos.

TIA

Dave R

[Peter Crosland]

Make it a condition of purchase that the material is removed safely before you buy.

[s--p--o--n--i--x]

Basically, they seal the room in which the asbestos is located with polythene and tape and install a filtered extraction fan. This creates a negative pressure meaning any dust and fibres can't escape.

People in overalls and breathing apparatus then soak the asbestos in water (to reduce fibres) and strip it carefully, double bagging it as they go.

[Peter Parry]

They will probably be asbestos cement - 10% Chrysotile (white asbestos,90%cement).

It is an increasing problem with building societies demanding inappropriate treatment to avoid claims decades in the future. The asbestos fraud/litigation industry is growing apace.

You are extremely unlikely to have Amphibole (brown or blue) asbestos anywhere in the house.

Amphibole removal can only be done by licensed contractors at vast expense. If there really is any significant amount of Amphibole material you would be better off looking for another house. Almost the only form of asbestos found in domestic houses is Chrysotile and the "double bag and take to the tip" advise applies only to asbestos cement products.

Councils are so concerned about asbestos that they charge for dumping it safely - so ensuring most ends up on the side of the road or in old industrial areas where it is left for years.

Try

for some good advice.

[Chris Bacon]

You can't know what to do until you get this, but:

Perhaps they could be sealed and covered (e.g. plasterboard).

"Local tips" will take asbestos of the type used in asbestos cement. I have never been charged money for disposal from domestic premesis. You should check whether they need it bagged, some have closed skips for the purpose.

See above, wait for the survey results.

I'd be surprised if a garage roof had that in it. Do you mean sheet materials, or lagging-type stuff?

[bigcat]

surely you want the one that makes sense, and is backed by valid science, regardless of whether its one extreme, the other, or somewhere between the 2.

Here it is:

We are in the process of purchasing a property.

this means nothing. Surveys list possible everything to avoid being sued. The only real question is is there asbestos or not? Maybe isnt a useful answer.

you seem to be jumping the gun a bit. Why not let us know if you find asbestos. What colour are these sheets?

yes, blue and brown are a genuine risk, white isnt so doesnt need dealing with.

NT