Neighbour's wisteria growing over my asbestos garage roof...and other woes. Advice?

EpsomOldie

Hello. I've re-posted this from the DIY / Home forum as my query is predominantly about the garden rather than the house. Id be grateful for any suggestions about the way forward.

My neighbour's very large, untended wisteria has grown up and over my detatched garage. It's two-thirds of the way over the garage's corrugated asbestos roof.

The way the garage is positioned means I can't access the side where the wisteria is to cut it back. If I turn a blind eye, it's only going to get bigger and heavier. I understand that asbestos is "inert" / harmless unless it's cut or broken - might the wisteria's habit eventually damage the garage roof?

I also understand that any work with / near asbestos needs to be done by specialists, and I'm rather pee'd off that I will probably have to stump up money I haven't got.

The garage is the tip of the iceberg really.


Apart from the garden, I get on with my neighbour. I actually don't care what her garden looks like: it's always been "wild", i.e. neglected. I've even come to accept that I can't grow anything on that side because of lack of light and moisture caused by (starting at the houses and leading down to the garage) the following:

• 18' lilac
• 20' rambling rose
• 10' box tree
• 60'+ ash tree c 15m from the house
• 60'+ conifer
• 15' philadelphus
• numerous ivys
• humungous growth of bindweed growing over and under the fence
• a patch of bamboo that's getting nearer the fence

Oh, and an ivy seedling that found a home in neighbour's blocked drain is now established and growing up her house - and down into the drain which is shared between our two houses!

I've already talked to the neighbour re the proximity of the ash tree to the houses. I'm most concerned about the foundations being affected, as well as the light issue. I explained this some years ago and suggested that the ash tree be felled with me paying half the costs. At that time I spoke to the husband who was at that time still with her and he wasn't at all happy. He very reluctantly cut back some of the branches, but predictably the tree simply sprouted bigger and better branches.

After the husband left, I broached the subject again and this time offered to pay for all of the costs of felling. Still no.

It's now come to the stage where the neighbour's shrubs and trees are leaning against (her) boundary fence so that it's leaning into my garden.

I don't really know where to go from here. I don't want to fall out with my neighbour by keeping on - she's very nice in other respects - however the situation isn't going to get better on its own.

Sorry - this has turned into a rant. Am I over-reacting re the wisteria / roof and the proximity of the ash to the house? Any ideas re the best way forward?

Thank you

cyclonebri1

Actually I think your post was better placed in the homeowners section where you originally put it, , but;

You have a whole list of issues, and my 1st advice is just ensure the insurance is fully paid up because if damage is caused even by a neighbours trees etc, the claim will be against your insurer:eek:

I would only really like to comment on the wisteria issue. mainly because I have 1 growing up the back of my garage and have had to replace the guttering and brackets twice in the last 3 years due to it's rapid growth.

You are correct about the cement asbestos being relatively inert until disturbed but the wisteria will disturb it I'm afraid, mine seeks every crevice and untill I took it in hand had grown both into the garage and along the full 24ft length of the drainage channel alongside it :eek::eek:
You have a legal right to cut it back at the point it crosses your boundary and then if you can give back the cut off bits to the neighbour.
The bit I would be unsure of is if you actually have the legal right to enter the neighbours garden to do this. I think you can but have to give notice. Someone better aquainted with your rights will be along to clarify I'm sure.

But the point is do it now, the insurance would take a dim view if you simply allowed it to grow and grow until it collapsed the roof.:(:(

Mallotum_X

Have you asked your neighbour if you can go into her garden to cut it back from your garage roof? Maybe offer to sort the drain too.

Whilst it may be her responsibility its easier and less stressful sometimes to just get things done. If shes happy to let you then I'd get the work done myself.

In terms of access re the roof. you will need to check this but my understanding was you do have a right to go onto someone elses land for the point of view of essential maintenance. But have a chat with her first and say you want to cut it back. If you start off friendly then chances are she will be happy to let you just do it.

Start with the stuff on the roof and maybe you can work up to some of the other things. Can you brace the fence or add a concrete post to stop it falling into your garden.

cyclonebri1

Think I said that????

EpsomOldie

Thank you. Yes, I guess the best start will be to speak to her about getting in to cut back the wisteria. I can't just leave it.

tim_n

Asbestos is a tricky subject. If it is common white asbestos then no, specialists aren't required - you can remove it yourself fairly easily, but you need to take into account proper PPE. Best to get a body suit, disposable tough gloves and a decent asbestos mask and glasses.

You have to wet both sides of the asbestos, remove the nails without damaging it, then lift each panel carefully.

Many councils do free curb side removal of white as long as it isn't broken.

It's pretty tough stuff - I've had heavy branches fall on it with no problems, then again if it hits it wrong, it can shatter.

I'd explain yourself carefully to your neighbour, odds are, they're growing it to hide a nasty looking asbestos roof and might not be keen on it being hacked down. You can always offer to have a proffessional in to trim it if they're not comfortable doing themselves or don't want you to do it. £50 to a 3rd party is cheaper than a new roof or damaged neighbour relations...

cyclonebri1

Tim, it is pretty fragile, impact wrecks it, and constant load will cause it to fail.

With limited diy skills, the opinion to the OP has to be "get help",
me? roof of and modernised, wisteria mysteriously disappeared. cab anyone?