Is this asbestos?

When was it built? Asbestos was banned in new buildings in the mid 1980s.

Colin Bignell

Just don't breathe in the dust.

Bill

Lots of google hits on *asbestolux* and certainly likely to be used for the OPs application.

worried it might be asbestos:

Just tap it, if it sounds hard most likey some form of fibre cement stroke asbestos, if it sounds dull it could be plaster board or a wood fibre board .

It looks like it could be asbestos cement, but I expect whatever asbestos free substitute was used once asbestos was banned looks similar.

When I sold my previous house the buyer insisted on me getting the garage ceiling tested for asbestos, which meant posting a small sample off to a specialist asbestos service.

Then I had to persuade someone at the local council advice service to put it in writing that good condition asbestos cement of that type isn't a health hazard if you don't disturb it.

I was considering just holding my breath and going for it. Judging by the images on asbestoswathdog.co.uk (e.g. [1]) it appears to be asbestos cement. How much risk is there if I screw into this directly without any drilling?

Alex

My favourite is this charming gem:

It sounds hard. More a thwang than a thump.

sigh JFGI on here and read up on the "at least annual" discussions/opinions/ panics/ etc?

Jim K

To your temper? A lot. Asbestos cement, like any cement, isn't really a material you can screw directly into. Asbestos cement poses a very small but finite risk. There is a strong dose/effect relationship with asbestos products and the vast majority of harm is caused by extensive exposure in industrial settings for many years. The single exposure risk is tiny, but does exist.

It is worth investing in a mask and, to drill the holes without dust spreading , some plastic drinking cups. Drill through the base of the plastic mug and use a blob of Plasticine or putty to hold it onto the drill so the drill protrudes the drilling depth from the top of the mug. Wet the ceiling area with a spray and drill slowly. The dust will be collected by the drinking mug. You can use wet newspaper on the floor to catch any residue if you wish,

Same age as me. The wife says I'm irritating.

Priceless.

Almost certainly asbestos cement in that case. Peter Parry has given advice on how to deal with drilling that. However, if you are planning to hang things, hang them from the timbers holding the ceiling up, not from the ceiling itself.

Colin Bignell

As you have no doubt gathered it is impossible to identify asbestos (especially the type of asbestos) from a photograph.

If you want to be sure, have it analysed.

If you want to sell your house, hope the surveyor doesn't pick up on it.

If it needs removing consider DIY (using correct procedure) because the Health and Safety requirements for a contractor are so over stated that you probably couldn't afford it.

Cheers

Dave R

This one's a keeper. Thanks.

Alex

Lies. You're a beauty, if in need of some work. Oh .. wait .. er ..