Options for large asbestos cement structure

polophonic

Hi all, I will be buying a property that has a large workshop/shed constructued almost entirely out of asbestos cement board. The recommendation for asbestos cement is essentially 'leave it alone'. But given it's in the garden and pretty hard to avoid (especially with young children around) I'm looking it at getting it removed.

Before I do that I wondered if anyone has any experience or advice about cladding or painting or sealing asbestos cement board?

Ectophile

If you paint it, then you need to think how you're going to go about re-painting it when it eventually looks tatty. You don't want to be sandpapering asbestos cement.

olias

As long as you don't smash it up or do anything daft like use an angle grinder on it, then it's pretty safe to handle. Just undo the bolts holding it together, wrap the panels in plastic sheeting taped closed and dispose of at your nearest council facility. Have a look on your local council website and there should be a section about disposal. It really is not particularly dangerous in cement board form.

Olias

dampdaveski

polophonic,
The regulations concerning asbestos have changed very recently.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/632/contents/made

please have a read of the information at those links before considering any other advice given here

also you should be aware that there are different types of asbestos cement board, some have a low asbestos content and are relatively harmless WHEN LEFT UNDISTURBED! others which to the human eye look identical can have stupidly high levels AND be friable
Admittedly it is fairly unlikely your structure will be the more dangerous type.
but lets remember any asbestos containing product is dangerous!

My recommendation to you is to get an asbestos survey carried out before you commit to purchase, this will involve testing a sample of the structure and they will be able to tell you exactly what it is.
Depending where you are in the country and of course what you ask them to look at expect to pay between £200 - £500

sorry for the long post
Good luck
DD

olias

In reply to your OP:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a16.pdf

There are other advice sheets for dismantle/disposal.

Olias

Kiran

I'm sure this will erupt into another asbestos debate in no time at all. A good tip for removal of asbestos cement board is to PVA the surface to reduce fibre release during removal. Do this the day before so it has time to go off. Don't use the dampen down method as brown and blue asbestos are hydrophobic. Obviously you need to take the neccessary PPE precautions too and exercise common sense when dismantling the structure.

anotherbaldrick

From my reading the OP was, as a first option considering retaining the asbestos shed but enclosing or cladding it to encapsulate the asbestos. My initial thought is that this would be a bit difficult without drilling into the existing to get some fixings for the cladding, and this is where the hazard would be. If the surface is flaking from weathering painting with a sealant would be a good idea but I would also consider the damage aspect with rumbustious kids and if they are likely to start knocking bits off it I would opt for removal.

Ken68

I have a similar construction in my garden (built 1950 )and have been told not to disturb and not allowed to clad.

Wywth

polophonic wrote: »

Hi all, I will be buying a property that has a large workshop/shed constructued almost entirely out of asbestos cement board. The recommendation for asbestos cement is essentially 'leave it alone'. But given it's in the garden and pretty hard to avoid (especially with young children around) I'm looking it at getting it removed.

Before I do that I wondered if anyone has any experience or advice about cladding or painting or sealing asbestos cement board?

Put some plants around it to obscure it if you think it unsightly

Otherwise either follow the recommendation you have already received ... or get the whole thing professionally removed if that is what you prefer. (it won't be cheap)

latecomer

If you want it tested speak to your local council - we had a sample tested by them for about £40.

polophonic

Thanks for all the replies. I've been doing some further reading. Here are the options I have seen so far:

1 - removal. Not licenced and not notifiable work. HSE has advice for how best to do this. I've had quotes on the order of £500-£1000 to remove this large structure.

2 - encapsulation A. Apply a resin/rubber-type coating (Aquaflex, TBC, Rustoleum, Sealoflex) that bonds with the board making it more robust (and waterproof and so extends life of material). No specialised equipment required, but materials expensive and care required in preparing board.

3 - encapsulation B. Clad with another material. Really needs to be done by a professional. Potentially expensive.

4 - paint. Prepare with care, apply an alkali resistant primer then coat with emulsion. Cheap(ish), but not as robust as encapsulation.

I think the entire thing is going to go and that I will pay someone to do it.