Asbestos slates on the roof of the house. Bad??

onedirection

Hello,

I am buying a 1900 terraced house.

The surveyors report states that the roof slates will contain 'asbestos fibres' and they are perfectly acceptable and safe so long as they are not disturbed. He also states that the slates are in 'reasonable condition'

I have asked the seller for more information on the roof such as when it was replaced and what material was used but she has no info and says she cannot access her survey from her purchase 10yrs ago.

This sounds o.k. but just the word asbestos makes me nervous.My Dad worked with white asbestos in the 60's and 70's and he died of lung cancer aged 60. I just hate the word let alone thinking of living undeneath it!

Would this affect the value if I res-sold in the future and should I be taking it into consideration on the purchase price?

Am I being OTT?

Thank you

sirmosh

It's not uncommon at all. Unless you plan on taking the tiles off the roof and smashing them up you won't have any problems. In most older houses you'll find a lot more asbestos than on the roof.

Dentoory

Have read that there won't be any issue unless it is disturbed. At the same time some asbestos specialists like Healthy Environmental say it will decay over time. Not sure which is true !!!

Rhino666

Asbestos roof tiles are made from grey asbestos which is a form of asbestos cement where the fibres are encapsulated. The same material is used for guttering, downpipes, soffits, water tanks, etc on 1960's/70's property. This material is not the same as the unstable blue asbestos that kills people after agonising suffering with cancer.
If you were to file the material into a fine dust and then snort it you may have a problem but other than that it is safe.
The misguided authorities and various money grabbing, self interested companies will tell you otherwise. It will also cost you an arm and a leg to get rid of this material officially if you decide to replace the roof.

27col

if you are so worried about the implications of the roof tiles, then why are you still considering buying the house.There are plenty of others for sale without the problem.

happycamel_2

Given that you don't like the thought of living underneath it I strongly suggest you choose another house.