New house, rewire, heating and asbestos found all within months

Mrs_MumT

Hi there,

This is my first time posting but I need somewhere to get this all out my system and ask if anyone has any advice!

We bought and moved into our dream house a few months ago thinking all we had to do was move in and decorate as there were no major red flags in the home report (we're in Scotland). Since moving in we were advised to get a rewire as some aspects of the wiring were no longer allowed. We've carried out the work but only this week I had to call out the gas board as we could smell fumes - the gas had to be switched off s it was deemed unsafe. To top it all off I've had people out getting quotes for the heating system and down one had just informed me they think there is asbestos in the area around the boiler! I'm in a panic, unsure of where we stand and if we are even safe in the house. Surely the hoe report should have picked up some of these issues? I spoke to my lawyer when the gas was cut off but he said I'd have to had noticed a problem within 7 days for there to have been an issue with the previous owners. Worried about where to go from here with the asbestos in particular.:(:(

dexterwolf

Asbestos is normally ok unless it's broken . Normally if you leave it alone it will be ok. If they need to move it though due to repairs etc it can be prices as you need a licence to dispose of it.

Mrs_MumT

Thanks, the guy that spotted it mentioned that but he thought there was a crack in it. I've two young kids in the house and just freaking out a bit.

Levs01

First up, you don't know it's asbestos so stop freaking out.

Ok, what year was your house built?

What makes the gas man think it's asbestos?

Does any work need to be carried out on the wall it's potentially on?

Mrs_MumT

About 1906. The plumbers can't tell exactly how old the boiler is, I've had guesses ranging from 15 - 30 years. The boiler will be completely removed from its existing position as about four gas men have recommended a more suitable location. He thought it would be asbestos straight away when he saw how old the boiler was however he's the only one that's mentioned it.

Thanks by the way! I need to calm it.

davidmcn

Have you recently looked at the Home Report? The comments about gas, electricity and asbestos are normally quite clear about the limitations of the report - from an example I have to hand:

Electricity/gas: Accessible parts of the wiring/system were visually inspected without removing fittings. No tests whatsoever were carried out to the system or appliances. Visual inspection does not assess any services to make sure they work properly and efficiently and meet modern standards.

Asbestos: Properties built prior to 1999 may contain elements of asbestos materials however an asbestos survey has not been carried out...The Surveyor will not carry out an asbestos inspection, and will not be acting as an asbestos inspector in completing a Single Survey of properties that may fall within the Control of Asbestos in the Workplace Regulations.

Levs01

Mrs_MumT wrote: »

About 1906. The plumbers can't tell exactly how old the boiler is, I've had guesses ranging from 15 - 30 years. The boiler will be completely removed from its existing position as about four gas men have recommended a more suitable location. He thought it would be asbestos straight away when he saw how old the boiler was however he's the only one that's mentioned it.

Thanks by the way! I need to calm it.

It's blooming scary hearing asbestos and knowing the risks. We had it last year. One thing that was reiterated to us was that the people who got really sick worked with it day in and day out without protection for years. Yes, it does need dealing with if it's there but due to the way it's handled now the risks are minimal.

You can arrange for the wall to be tested, the actual testing isn't too expensive and the peace of mind is worth every penny.

If there is asbestos it can be safely disposed of. If the wall can be left alone then it's perfectly fine to bond and skim it be that will seal in any risks.

One thing it's not worth doing though is panicking as it won't change anything but will make it harder to get everything lined up and sorted.

Mrs_MumT

Thanks for the replies and for the reassurance Levs01. I've looked up a few numbers of companies in our area that deal with it ready to call tomorrow.

Fair one Davidmcn I'll have another read of the home report again tomorrow.

Chanes

Perfectly normal to get so anxious, it is a massive investment and a dream home sometimes has a few nightmares to deal with.

Mupette

Levs01 wrote: »

It's blooming scary hearing asbestos and knowing the risks. We had it last year. One thing that was reiterated to us was that the people who got really sick worked with it day in and day out without protection for years. Yes, it does need dealing with if it's there but due to the way it's handled now the risks are minimal.

You can arrange for the wall to be tested, the actual testing isn't too expensive and the peace of mind is worth every penny.

If there is asbestos it can be safely disposed of. If the wall can be left alone then it's perfectly fine to bond and skim it be that will seal in any risks.

One thing it's not worth doing though is panicking as it won't change anything but will make it harder to get everything lined up and sorted.

Yup my dad is one of them that as a young man worked with asbestos with no protective gear and then later again with asbestos but fully kitted out with protective gear.

And now he is a slow ticking time bomb, Mesothelioma and Asbestosis


There is different colour asbestos. White being the very bad one

Asbestos is ok if it's left alone, but if it needs removing say if you need a new boiler, then please don't go for a cheap quote, make sure who ever removes it is fully licenced to do so and dispose of it correctly and not dump it in a lane.

My mum and me have to have regular x-rays as we would of washed his clothes back then with the asbestos dust. So far we are ok. But dad it's too late for him and there is no cure. He's retired and taking it easy in France but we did nearly loose him 2 years ago when he collapsed and was in intensive care, thank god for the French hospital system, no messing around.

[Deleted User]

Sorry to hear that.