Quote for replacement boiler and possible asbestos removal

Ishtar

Hi
We're looking to upgrade our boiler and have been given a quote which includes £1000 exc VAT to a subcontractor to deal with the suspected asbestos within our existing boiler.

Is this a fair quote given that neither the plumber or the manufacturer know for certain that the boiler contains asbestos? Is there any way it can be assessed before it's ripped apart. Are there cheaper contractors that we could contract separately?

We had the boiler serviced six months ago by a different firm of plumbers and they were absolutely sure that there was no asbestos contained within the unit.

Obviously, I wouldn't want to pay £1k on something that isn't needed...but wouldn't want to cut corners either.

Thanks a lot!
D

ormus

ill come and remove your boiler for 500 quid any day!

gas4you

What boiler do you have?

Ishtar

gas4you wrote: »

What boiler do you have?

It's a pretty old (ie. 30 years +) floor-standing Potterton - don't know the model, but I found a number on the Gas Council plate if that's any help? Number is: [FONT=&quot]C40/12/BE[/FONT].

Thanks for your help.
D

new_home_owner_3

i have the same boiler its a floor standing boiler, and it has a asbestos cement flue, but these can be removed by anyone i think has long as they are double wrapped.

The boiler flue is most likely to be asbestos cement - same stuff was used to make gutters, downpipes, flat & corrugated roof sheets for sheds, garages and the old heat resisting pads for the ends of ironing boards and school chemistry labs. It generally contains around 2% asbestos fibre - the rest is made up of cement. Worst case it's 10% asbestos. As the asbestos fibres are bound up by the cement - just like horsehair in old ceiling plaster - it's quite safe as long as it isn't cut, broken, drilled or sanded when fibres can be released.

So most people are paranoid about it when they shouldn't be. Get paranoid about the asbestos sprayed onto metal beams (about 90% asbestos) and the asbestos wall boards used alot in 1960-1970's building that are 40% asbestos. Let's get real about asbestos cement.

For a one off DIY type job as long as you spray it with water and keep it wet there will be hardly any measurable fibre release when it's wrapped up. You are more at risk from the asbestos fibre levels down London Underground taking the tube.

Most local council tips will take it if it's well wrapped up in polythene. Some have special locked skips for it; some don't. Hunt around - I'm on teh border of four different Councils each with a different policy.

If you don't really fancy DIY and are feeling rich then Google an asbestos removal contractor thats a member of ARCA Asbestos Removal Contractors Association and make sure they are licensed by HSE.