House with asbestos roof tiles

modelreject

I'm looking for some advice on a house I wish to purchase, which may be impossible since you can't view it yourselves.

I love everything about this house, the only thing is that it has asbestos roof tiles. I have read that it's okay if they haven't broken up or have been disturbed, but it still plays on my mind and I need some reassurance and possible costs for removal.

A bit more info. The house was built in the 1930's, but has been renovated 7 years ago (the living room wall has been knocked down to form a large living/dining area), oil has been changed to gas, and an extension has been added to the rear. Do you think there will be asbestos in the house.
I'm unsure because I have heard that the internal plaster, could have asbestos in it, but if there has been all that work, surely it would have been cleared of asbestos if it existed?

Any help welcomed.

Many thanks in advance.

C

Mr_Warren_2

Commmon roofing material for that time. Many houses worldwide have this kind of roof covering. You are not eating cheese from it, it is just protecting your house from the elements and doing the job well.

ankspon

Your house will be swimming in asbestos,but if undisturbed it is safe,think twice before doing any work on it.

keith969

We had a shed in the garden when I was a kid, my dad lined the inside walls with asbestos sheet. He cut it with an ordinary saw and we helped; surprisingly we all survived. Be more scared about crossing the road than asbestos...

Owain_Moneysaver

Asbestos-cement which is probably what your tiles are made from (along with soffits and some internal 'plasterboard') is usually considered safe provided it's not disintegrating or cut.

Be careful with any packing or insulation around pipework.

Here's something that's fun for all the family at Christmastime!

modelreject

My main concern is internal plaster on the walls. Would that contain asbestos? All the walls are solid. No plasterboard.

vegasvisitor

Hi

I'd like to know what they look like, I'm now worrying that the house we're buying could have them!!!

modelreject

I don't think they have a distinct look. I only know this because people on the same street said they had them and the houses were built at the same time. It's a Semi and the next door neighbour had theirs removed, not that it was a health issue, just for cosmetic reasons.

I don't know if a full survey would even pick up on this, so best to ask about. I've learnt so much about the house and also gained the knowledge that the people in the area are very nice!

Your main concern should be the internals. For example, if I want to do some DIY and drill into a wall, am I at risk?

margaretclare

Our bungalow was built in 1932. Asbestos roof tiles were common at that time because they were cheap and light, easy to install.

We've had various work done over the years, kitchen wall knocked down to make a kitchen/diner, old fireplaces removed, bathroom and kitchen re-done, and none of this ever gave rise to worry about asbestos internally. However, the nails that hold the asbestos tiles in place will eventually corrode and in that case, you can't have the asbestos tiles replaced. It needs replacing with a modern roof of concrete tiles, which in turn means that the internal joists and supports of the roof have to be strengthened with new timbers.

The other half of the semi changed hands some years ago, and the then buyers found that their building society insisted that the roof was replaced before they'd grant a mortgage. Others have changed hands and no such condition laid down.

The roof will be fine so long as the nails don't corrode and weaken, and the tiles don't start slipping. Once that happens the whole roof has to be replaced.

modelreject

Really useful information. Many thanks.

So there was no asbestos pipe insulation etc?

margaretclare

No asbestos pipe insulation, none at all.

In fact the 'asbestos' roof tiles only contain a percentage of asbestos, and it's white asbestos, not the blue kind which is the most dangerous.