Asbestos in Lath and Plaster?

joeedwards909

Hi I was hoping someone could help basically I have lived in this house for the past 20 years or so. The house I think is between 60-90 years old. It uses Lath and Plaster, does this contain asbestos at all? I never thought until recently that perhaps it might, and if it does what on earth to do about it, there are no doubt hole and cracks in it, and in the gap under the airing cupboard there are parts of the plaster that have fallen down. I guess I need to get it tested for a definitive answer or am I just being stupid? I had always heard that it could potentially be in plaster board and ceiling panels but not lath and plaster itself?? The house is in the UK if that makes any difference.

Suzy_M

Lath and plaster is just that. Shouldn't be and extremely unlikely that there is asbestos in it. - You might be getting confused with artex ceiling coverings which did at some time have asbestos incorporated in to it.

angelavdavis

Fairly unlikely. Lath and Plaster is just plaster covering wooden laths (strips) for strength. Some might contain horsehair within the plaster.

Usually asbestos was used as fire-proofing, so is more commonly found in sheds, possibly kitchens and in/around fireplaces. It was used a lot in public buildings in the 50s, 60s and early 70s because of its fire-proofing qualities.

I would have thought your house was too old to contain it as it didn't become popular until much later (although of course, it could be added later).

What type of house is it?

joeedwards909

Hi, thanks for the replies.

It used to be a bungalow, with a converted attic. Used to have a couple of fireplaces but they were taken out I believe in the 80s or early 90s. Also had a extention put on the side in the mid 90s. The outside walls have been done in a bubble looking style.

joeedwards909

Ok, found out part of the plaster I am concerned about was actually done in 1987, so probably not lath and plaster anyway. Where they still using asbestos insulation board in 87? But the other stuff I think everything downstairs is from the original building of the house.

Maybe I am being a bit overly concerned? I'm just convinced there is asbestos somewhere in this house and there's an awful lot of 'half assed' completed jobs around here with cracks and holes in the walls.

Vibrant

I wouldn't worry too much. If you leave it alone, asbestos is harmless, it's only if you start knocking it about that you need to worry.
We have it as sofit board in our bungalows and get the occasional cowboy company coming around, trying to convince us to have it ripped out and replaced with plastic, as it's dangerous. It can be dangerous, but only when you start ripping it out and spreading the fibers about!

Sirbendy

agreed. When we built our 2 new IT suites in the school I work at, we found asbestos...about 16ft in the air, surrounding a pipe. Asbestos inspection concluded "stuff it, it's out of the way and won't ever be disturbed".

We've had a few panic merchants since trying to get in to "remove it as it's a hazard". My bum it is. it's above a brand new suspended ceiling..heh..

joeedwards909

yeah, the problem, as i see it, is if it is asbestos being a wall many holes are in it, from putting up pictures and less then perfect finishing off of work and such like. So I would imagine the state it's in would be categorised as damaged.