Potential asbestos is garage room of house being purchased

Lynne_H

Hi all,

I've had an offer accepted on a house and a mortgage valuation has been carried out (not a survey). The valuer has made a comment on their that the garage roof may contain asbestos. Its a flat roof and the garage is integral to the house itself. The Building Society is not insisting on the matter being looked into further. However, I'm now a little concerned and feel I should get someone in to check a) whether the roof has actually got asbestos and b) whether anything needs to be done about it. The chain is a little fragile as it is so I'm not keen on doing anything to rock the boat and I really want the purchase to go through! That said I also don't want to have to end up paying thousands of pounds to having to remove the asbestos on top of the purchase price already agreed. Anyone been in a similar situation and/or have any advice? Thanks!

swishy87

Is there any damage to the roof or did you plan on having to remove it if it wasn't asbestos?

Asbestos is only an issue if disturbed, so if you planned on living in it as it is, it shouldn't cause any issues until you wish to change it, then you would have to pay to have it removed properly. But, personally, it wouldn't put me off if I loved the house and the rest was perfect as that could potentially be a few years down the line?

Jox

Here's a post from mumsnet which might help:

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/2252287-Asbestos-in-garage-roof-Is-this-a-worry

and there was a thread recently on this forum about asbestos but I'm not able to look for it just now

penguingirl

Lots of houses have asbestos- we have some in our loft. Completely fine if undamaged. Were you planning to do anything to the garage roof e.g. Extend it? If you were planning on leaving it alone just leave it as is

stator

As above, have the garage checked out to see if it's in good condition and not leaking.
Lots of houses have asbestos in them, it's only a problem when you want to remove it , or drill through it etc. Most building surveys will mention asbestos because the surveyor is covering themselves.
When you need to remove it you need to find out what type of asbestos it is, some a very dangerous, some are hardly dangerous at all and can be removed safetly by yourself, taking certain precautions.

phoebe1989seb

swishy87 wrote: »

Is there any damage to the roof or did you plan on having to remove it if it wasn't asbestos?

Asbestos is only an issue if disturbed, so if you planned on living in it as it is, it shouldn't cause any issues until you wish to change it, then you would have to pay to have it removed properly. But, personally, it wouldn't put me off if I loved the house and the rest was perfect as that could potentially be a few years down the line?

This ^

In 2012 we sold my parents' 1920s house that had a garage with an asbestos roof that had been in situ since the 1960s. The buyers were not deterred and their lender was happy to provide a mortgage. Afaik it's still there and left undisturbed will not cause any issues......

AdrianC

If it's a flat-roof, then it'll be asbsetos-cement sheet, the absolute safest form of asbestos there is. There is more of a risk from falling off the roof than from the roof itself.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a14.pdf

ElsieMonkey

I have just gone through similar with the house we are buying. The building survey reported asbestos cement roof to the garage (detached from house). And also some textured ceilings which may or may not contain asbestos.

We got an asbestos firm out to survey the house and test anything suspect. Garage roof confirmed and also the ceiling in one room. Both are lowest grade asbestos (white asbestos) and they advised keeping it in place. We done some research and decided the ceiling is best to be plastered over, and we may ask someone to go and quote for removal of garage roof just for our own info really. We have done research and everything indicates that removing this tupe of asbestos wouldn't be that costyly - looking at about £700 or so, but we may get a quote just to ensure it matches what we have resarched/expect.

So you could do the above, get an asbestos report done and take it from there?

theartfullodger

We've just had similar garage demolished & 2-storey extension in place.

Builders took old asbestos sheets off (many wouldn't...)

These boys...
http://www.ads-asbestos.co.uk
took the stuff away for a very reasonable sum, paperwork provided etc (can't remember amount, less than £450, bonkers price).

lincroft1710

The usual asbestos roof for a garage would be corrugated asbestos cement sheets, which are wavy in appearance and very visible. An integral garage is one which has a room over it, so doubtful if any asbestos sheeting unless for fire proofing. Did the surveyor mean an attached garage.

CAC sheets have been used on probably a million or more domestic garages. As Adrian said the "safest" form of asbestos.

Thrugelmir

Won't cost thousands of pounds to remove. A one tonne skip will cost the contractor around a £180.