Found asbestos in roof less than year after purchase - surveyor should have spotted

firely2327

Kermie wrote: »

Out of interest, what did the survey say about the utility room roof which is leaking. Did he spot that it might be an issue? Were there already several holes in the ceiling when you viewed it?

Survey didn't say anything about a leaky roof at all actually. There were two holes in the ceiling at the back of the room above the shelf, obviously man-made and I didn't expect anyone to look up there as there is a big shelf making it very difficult to negotiate. The other big one by the window is (or as of today, was ) easily accessible and I would think it was man-made also.


The leaking was mainly due to the missing mortar where the roof and the end wall meet. Looking up at it from the ground the slit, which was circa 12in long, had a corrugated/wavy shape, indicating a similar shaped material below (asbestos as it turns out).

firely2327

Thanks folks for the opinion on the quote by the way. I think the original company I contacted were taking the proverbial. I always get multiple quotes anyway but it was more difficult here as some companies wouldn't touch the layer of thick concrete above the asbestos. Thankfully a second company were much more reliable (£900) and have completed the work today in a very tidy and professional manner. New roof tomorrow


Still awaiting surveyors official response to the video and photographic evidence I've sent. I'm not counting on anything, but let's see.

Pete9501

Why is there a 3" hole? like someone took a core sample to have it tested for asbestos, the standard way to test for a contaminated ceiling?

Write a snotty letter asking for your fees back and hope they play ball. If not just move on life is too short and you have a damp room to concentrate on.

Corrugated asbestos board, why not double bag it and take it to a tip that takes asbestos yourself, problem solved, wear a mask and disposable suit.

Niv

Pete9501 wrote: »

Why is there a 3" hole? like someone took a core sample to have it tested for asbestos, the standard way to test for a contaminated ceiling?

Write a snotty letter asking for your fees back and hope they play ball. If not just move on life is too short and you have a damp room to concentrate on.

Corrugated asbestos board, why not double bag it and take it to a tip that takes asbestos yourself, problem solved, wear a mask and disposable suit.

To confirm, a 3" core sample is NOT the standard way to test for asbestos in a ceiling.

lincroft1710

firely2327 wrote: »

I'm a biologist, not a builder and I've never before seen asbestos.

As there are probably more than a million garages with corrugated asbestos cement sheet roofs as well as many farm and industrial buildings, the probability is that you have seen asbestos in this form.

macman

Corrugated sheet containing asbestos is not harmful unless it's disturbed. Removing it will release far more fibres than would otherwise escape, unless it's decayed or damaged.

firely2327

[QUOTE

Corrugated asbestos board, why not double bag it and take it to a tip that takes asbestos yourself, problem solved, wear a mask and disposable suit.[/QUOTE]


Asbestos was held in place by a 4inch concrete roof, which required professional removal. All done now, to much relief. Though bank balance looking sickly

firely2327

lincroft1710 wrote: »

As there are probably more than a million garages with corrugated asbestos cement sheet roofs as well as many farm and industrial buildings, the probability is that you have seen asbestos in this form.

Yep, and I spotted one out on a walk yesterday. I'm wiser now of course, I'd never had such a thing pointed out to me before. I've never encountered it in places I've lived before. Asbestos appears more prevalent over here in domestic premises

Davesnave

Have you had any response from the surveyors yet?

In Wales, and other places where incomes are lower, there's likely to be more asbestos, as people make do and mend with outbuildings for longer, and there are more small outbuildings too.

But not all corrugated sheet is asbestos. My barn has a roof which looks like it, but as it was only constructed 11 years ago, I know it isn't.

As someone who looks after agricultural land, I find pieces of the real thing frequently. All I do is put it in a plastic sack, and when I have enough, dispose of it at the council yard. It's no big deal.

kinger101

p00hsticks wrote: »

The OP didn't get a full survey, they got a Homebuyers report....

It makes little difference. I can assure you the same weasle-wording would be in there either way.