small cracks in asbestos artex

street_spirit

Hi, getting a little worried, probably to much time to think...hopefully.

Basically recently I found out the place I'm renting a room in has asbestos in the living room artex. It seemed in pretty good nick to me so didn't think about it much until the last couple of days I have noticed it has a few small cracks in it. Is this something to get worried about?

Would simply painting the ceiling without doing anything else make it totally safe or would more need to be done to seal it up? Not so worried what it looks like, just if it's safe or not.

If it was to be removed by professionals what would that cost, like ball park figure for one small room (sorry don't know measurements).

Making me really not want to stay here knowing that nasty stuff is in the house and I'm increasing concerned with my landlords relaxed nature over it all. He mentioned he'd paint it but he says he'll do a lot of things. I could ring the council I imagine but he's a friend so really don't wana do that.

Anyway hopefully i'm just getting worked up over nothing...

street_spirit

also just to add it has been painted i believe once in the last ten years

artha

street_spirit wrote: »

Hi, getting a little worried, probably to much time to think...hopefully.

Basically recently I found out the place I'm renting a room in has asbestos in the living room artex. It seemed in pretty good nick to me so didn't think about it much until the last couple of days I have noticed it has a few small cracks in it. Is this something to get worried about?

Would simply painting the ceiling without doing anything else make it totally safe or would more need to be done to seal it up? Not so worried what it looks like, just if it's safe or not.

If it was to be removed by professionals what would that cost, like ball park figure for one small room (sorry don't know measurements).

Making me really not want to stay here knowing that nasty stuff is in the house and I'm increasing concerned with my landlords relaxed nature over it all. He mentioned he'd paint it but he says he'll do a lot of things. I could ring the council I imagine but he's a friend so really don't wana do that.

Anyway hopefully i'm just getting worked up over nothing...

How did you find out that the artex has asbestos in it?

street_spirit

I took a sample to a lab.

Just spoke to my landlord, he seemed to say he might 'skim it'. Is that where you plaster over it all completely, guessing that would totally seal it if that was done?

jason_nevin

1st let me put you at rest. The amount of asbestos in artex is very small (typically less than 1%) and the fibres are chrysotile which is commonly regarded as the safest type. As an asbestos material it is safer than all but plastic floor tiles and bitumastics. So, unless its badly damaged and actively flaking you are in little danger.

Removal is expensive because it needs a great deal of control and you'd be looking at £1k+ per room. Skimming is by far the cheapest option although it hides the hazard from future owners. There are specialist products available although I'm not sure if they are any more effective than plaster.

eco-friendly_2

street_spirit wrote: »

it has a few small cracks in it. Is this something to get worried about?

No! it's likely the joints of the ceiling above the artex have opened up, artex is not a flexible material, hence the cracks.

Dry_Rot

Don't worry, the fibres are only dangerous when released into the air.

A coat of paint should be fine for slight cracks, but do not sand the surface for preparation - this would be dangerous. Skimming over is fine, but by law, the landlord would have to tell any new tenants or would need to declare the hazard if he sold the property. I'd say just paint over it.

Dry Rot.

keith969

Dry_Rot wrote: »

Don't worry, the fibres are only dangerous when released into the air.

Careful Dry Rot, thousands of asbestos removal experts will lose their lucrative jobs if you even question the view that a single asbestos fibre can kill at 50 metres in a nanosecond.

keystone

keith969 wrote: »

Careful Dry Rot, thousands of asbestos removal experts will lose their lucrative jobs if you even question the view that a single asbestos fibre can kill at 50 metres in a nanosecond.

Reaaaally? I thought it was 150 metres - perhaps I've been far too cautious in the past. :rotfl::rotfl:

Cheers