Any heating engineers or tradesmen about pls?

bundance

Hi

I have applied for charitable funding to get my old 35year old central heating system replaced in my flat.

Something has just occured to me though.

In 2012 I had an asbestos survey done and asbestos was found in the artex and in a paper insulation layer which was put directly onto my concrete kitchen floor.
I had the asbestos contractors come round and try to remove the paper layer which was stuck to the concrete kitchen floor, but they could not remove it all, so they made it safe by putting a layer of special paint on to seal it all in.

I am worried, because it will be a big company doing the heating installation, and because there is asbestos present (albeit safe) I am worried they will refuse to do the work.

The asbestos contractors said that I would have to get the concrete floor taken out if I wanted rid of the asbestos 100% off the floor, but I was happy for them to just make it safe with that special paint they use.

I have no extra money for any charges incurred in getting the floor removed. Can you even remove a concrete floor from an upper floor flat?

I know the heating contractors can possibly put the pipes on the surface, rather than digging up the floor, but I am still worried they will refuse to do the work, as they may need to put a hole in the ceiling and the artex has asbestos in.

I'm not worried about the asbestos, as I know my flat is safe now, I am worried about being stuck with my 35 year old central heating system though.

Please can someone reassure or help me.

Thanks

jcb208

I Know for sure they will not be digging any floors up ,The pipe work will be surface clipped as you have concrete floors.I would not worry about the ceilings as artex has very small amounts of asbestos and with a small amount of caution this will not do any harm

bundance

jcb208 wrote: »

I Know for sure they will not be digging any floors up ,The pipe work will be surface clipped as you have concrete floors.I would not worry about the ceilings as artex has very small amounts of aspestos and with a small amount of caution this will not do any harm

Hi

Thanks for explaining about the surface clipping of the pipes.

I am not worried about the asbestos content in the artex, cos the asbestos people told me it was safe.

I am just worried about the heating engineers refusing to do the work, because of their pedantic safety rules.

I am being funded by charitable organisations and the funding has been really hard to get.
I am worried that extra charges will be incurred to keep the company happy about the asbestos, charges that I can't afford.

I am desperate for a new heating system, this one is costly and inefficient and on its last legs, but I am scared the company will refuse to do the work.

rustyboy21

They will most likely be made up that they don't have to dig up floors! As said above, they will skirting board clip the pipework in place. They wont have to touch the ceiling as you are in a flat.


Only issue would be, if they need to fit a new water main or gas pipe, if they are embedded into the floor, shouldn't really be a problem.


One CH co by me fits a new combi and 7 rads in 2 days for £2000. They clip all their pipes to the skirting, so they don't need to chisel out anywhere.

bundance

rustyboy21 wrote: »

They will most likely be made up that they don't have to dig up floors! As said above, they will skirting board clip the pipework in place. They wont have to touch the ceiling as you are in a flat.


Only issue would be, if they need to fit a new water main or gas pipe, if they are embedded into the floor, shouldn't really be a problem.


One CH co by me fits a new combi and 7 rads in 2 days for £2000. They clip all their pipes to the skirting, so they don't need to chisel out anywhere.

Hi

Thanks for your post.

I am in a top floor flat so they may need to go into the loft.

I am not worried myself if they would need to disturb the asbestos artex on the ceilings, as I know artex is extremely low risk, but I am worried they will refuse to do the job if they have to go through the ceiling.

I have no say in who the contractor is because a charity is funding the work.

Thahks

stebiz

Sadly I think your fears could be real. Not that the artex is high risk (it isn't) but because of the large heating engineers health and safety. I've just had my boiler replaced by a large company and I had to sign saying there was no asbestos present.

They said if they did go ahead it would cost £220 per hole drilled.

bundance

I rang the asbestos company who did my survey and they said it wouldn't be much of a charge.
I'm not worried now.

cyclonebri1

bundance wrote: »

Hi



I am just worried about the heating engineers refusing to do the work, because of their pedantic safety rules.

:eek::eek::eek::eek:Surprised that did't get a bite, it's probably best not to ask advice from trades and then suggest their H&S rules are "pedantic"? They are an easily offended bunch;);):D

southcoastrgi

HSE rules Cy not ours

bundance

Hi

It's ok, it's sorted.
The support organisation told me they need to have the flat surveyed by a specialist.

Thanks anyway

cyclonebri1

southcoastrgi wrote: »

HSE rules Cy not ours

That was the point chap, it's not the engineer who makes the rules;);)