Asbestos in my house?

MrShed

Hi all,

wonder if anyone can give me some advice.

I'm trying to find out if my house (which I recently bought) is likely to contain any asbestos - specifically (but not limited to) floor thermoplastic tiles, walls/stud partition (asbestos insulating board) and loft insulation.

The facts are:
- House was built in the 70s - cant find the exact year (title deed is confusing) but I believe it was 1977, as that was when the property first transferred from builder to first owner.
- House was built by Wimpey homes.
- House is of standard construction (i.e. brick and tiled roof).
- End terrace.
- House is in Kingston Park development in Newcastle.


Having no luck finding out whereever I look - I'm looking to renovate it and just being a bit wary - especially as I have been told that the floor tiles that I stripped out might have had asbestos in.

I am assuming that it wouldnt have been used in the walls and loft in that year to be honest, but just being a tad wary.

And please guys - I appreciate and respect all opinions, but I'd rather I didnt get replies either stating:

- Get an asbestos specialist to survey - I am aware of this option but trying to avoid if possible.
- "Asbestos - argh, stop, health etc" - again, aware of this - I just dont want to go to the other extreme where I'm clearly worrying about nothing at all (apart from anything else, much of the asbestos in your home, contrary to popular belief, can be removed by yourself when following appropriate precautions - but thats another story).

I've asked the original builder if they can shed any light - but as I am not a "current" customer, I am expecting this to be very much a brick wall!

Cheers in advance for any help!

moonrakerz

I would very much doubt if you have a problem. That is about the same age as my place - I took it back to bare walls to refurbish, absolutely no problems.

If you are a little worried - DO NOT go to any commercial organisation for advice, they will find all sorts of dangers and contamination.

The web is full of scare stories - I have just seen one with a huge red banner saying "93% of UK homes contain asbestos" !!!! Probably true - but unless you start mucking around with it - it is harmless - unless a very large lump of it falls on your head !

Ask your local Council for impartial advice, they have nothing to sell.

MrShed

moonrakerz wrote: »

I would very much doubt if you have a problem. That is about the same age as my place - I took it back to bare walls to refurbish, absolutely no problems.

If you are a little worried - DO NOT go to any commercial organisation for advice, they will find all sorts of dangers and contamination.

The web is full of scare stories - I have just seen one with a huge red banner saying "93% of UK homes contain asbestos" !!!! Probably true - but unless you start mucking around with it - it is harmless - unless a very large lump of it falls on your head !

Ask your local Council for impartial advice, they have nothing to sell.

Cheers moonrakerz - that was the realistic kinda response I was hoping for

Unfortunately - my local council has decided to completely wash its hands of anything to do with asbestos, and just tell me to speak to a private contractor!

I'm planning to knock a couple of walls out - so with that in mind, need to be sure before I do it...

But couldnt agree more about the not using commercial firms thing - there is so much misinformation about asbestos out there, its just milked by the many of the professionals unfortunately.

There is no doubt, at all, that it is a hazardous substance - but all of the studies show its nowhere near as hazardous as is made out (unless you work with it day in day out)!

Zazen999

Mr Shed

Do you know why asbestos is hazardous?

MrShed

Zazen - I assume that you are going to educate me on this?

This isnt what I want this thread to be with all due respect - I would like to get some realistic and pragmatic advice on the likelihood of my property containing asbestos, as opposed to entering into a debate regarding how harmful (or otherwise) asbestos is.

The answer is - yes I do (my grandfather died of an asbestos related disease), but please dont refer to the Single Fiber Theory which has no scientific basis (yet).

Bear in mind that you breathe in thousands of asbestos fibers a day, due to natural "background" level, and that theory falls down even more...

becs

I have had a very small amount of background training info on some asbestos. With regards to the thermoplastic tiles my understanding is that it is not actually the tiles that contain the asbestos fibres but actually the adhesive used to fix them.

MrShed

becs wrote: »

I have had a very small amount of background training info on some asbestos. With regards to the thermoplastic tiles my understanding is that it is not actually the tiles that contain the asbestos fibres but actually the adhesive used to fix them.

Cheers becs - its actually both apparently!

I'm not even 100% that the tiles had it in to be honest!

moonrakerz

I knew it was there somewhere - just took a while to find it !

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1877817&highlight=asbestos

Zazen999

MrShed wrote: »

Zazen - I assume that you are going to educate me on this?

This isnt what I want this thread to be with all due respect - I would like to get some realistic and pragmatic advice on the likelihood of my property containing asbestos, as opposed to entering into a debate regarding how harmful (or otherwise) asbestos is.

The answer is - yes I do (my grandfather died of an asbestos related disease), but please dont refer to the Single Fiber Theory which has no scientific basis (yet).

Bear in mind that you breathe in thousands of asbestos fibers a day, due to natural "background" level, and that theory falls down even more...

I wasn't - it was more about technique than content but you seem not to want any additional assistance so I'll leave it be.

edgex

ask your surveyor if they can recommend someone


yes its 'Get an asbestos specialist to survey'
but really, how on earth is someone on an internet forum supposed to know if your house contains asbestos

MrShed

edgex wrote: »

ask your surveyor if they can recommend someone


yes its 'Get an asbestos specialist to survey'
but really, how on earth is someone on an internet forum supposed to know if your house contains asbestos

Well edgex, wouldnt mind if you'd read the post!

I am not really asking if asbestos IS present - clearly you wont know.

I am asking if based upon the context of the situation, i.e. house age and builder and other house details, whether it is LIKELY that certain areas contain asbestos.

Its not dissimilar to saying that technically, you do not know that my 1995 house contains asbestos, but realistically its highly unlikely. If the builder voluntarily stopped using asbestos in the early 70s, say, (which some did I believe), then clearly I am not going to go into it as thoroughly.

Zazen - apologies if I misconstrued the context of your post - I just thought I could smell a "how harmful is asbestos" lecture coming - obviously not the case, so my apologies.