Asbestos Panels

[Russ]

I have a fibre cement roof on my garage. I dont know how old it is but i am wondering if the roof is asbestos ( it looks like cement 'wriggly tin') how can I tell if it is.

Thanks

Russ

[BigWallop]

The only sure way to know if it is asbestos, but even that can be dubious, is to have the fibres analysed by your local university chemistry lab. Don't go breaking bits off it though without using protection to yourself and to the surrounding area.

[Woodspoiler]

There are many companies offering tests for not too much money (bearing in mind the potential consequences). Check the Yellow Pages. I recently used this place:

sent a sample by post and it cost £18.80. I'm glad I did - the test proved positive. There was a scary story about asbestos on the BBC News site the other day. The featured bloke who is dying horribly is the same age as me, so the money seems well spent.

W.

[BAH]

But I seem to recall reading article in Telegraph (I think) recently about the great Asbestos rip-off. It argued that more than 95% of corrugated asbestos roof sheets were absolutely safe and the recovery companies were scare-mongering to keep the work and the price high.

I have a garage roof to remove and, on advice from the local civic waste people (I've bought some red, thick plastic bags off them - £1 each and that covers collection and disposal) I will be removing the roof in the rain, with mask and gauntlets, standing on a scaffold tower so as to be above the dust. Private contractors quoted £1000 to take down, and another £400 to take away. BAH

[Peter Parry]

Its probably asbestos cement and quite harmless if left alone and simple to remove safely if you wish to.

[Martin]

Most local authorities will conduct an asbestos inspection for a small (about £25) fee.

[Harry Bloomfield]

Russ wrote on Saturday (31/01/2004) :

It will most likely be white asbestos, which is not a serious problem. It is perfectly safe if left in place and undisturbed.

If you intend drilling, cutting or removing it then it is worth taking a little care. Damp it down so the particles don't fly about, wear a basic face mask, gloves and overalls. If you decide to remove it, get an enclosed skip or special bags in which to place the material. Your local council will be able to advise on disposal. Don't call in a specialist asbestos company, they will likely over react and over charge.

[Ragnar]

Basically if it is indeed asbestos it is bonded by loads of cement and will be perfectly safe as long as it is left alone. AFAIK some European countries widely used asbestos cement wallboard as a cheap tile substitute in bathrooms and kitchens and I've never heard of any problems associated with that. Most cases of people who died of asbestos involved workers who dealt with that stuff every day in their life, usually with insufficient or without any precautions at all. If you have to take it down anyway, better be safe than sorry and have it checked, otherwise leave it alone.

greetinx Ranger

[ng_abuse-subscribe]

Harry Bloomfield retched Asbestos Panels onto my recliner:

Don't listen., Harry wants you to die of cancer, the bastard. It's the only way he can be sure you won't troll his beloved newsgroups (yes

*his*, he owns them you see).

[Steven Briggs]

In message , Russ writes

I am in the same situation. Large (22 x 18ft) prefab garage @ mums place. She wants it reducing in size, probably take about 4 panels out to reduce to 22x10.

Seeing this thread made me think about the corrugated cement roof.

When did they stop using asbestos for this application? 70's, 80's ???

If it is asbestos, and I take the roof off, can I re-use the panels (at least the ones I don't break), or will the busy-bodies from the council descend like a plague?

Cheers