Does Asbestos in the corridor mean its in the flat?

cashbackproblems

Hi


I am in the process of buying a flat built in the 70's and received the contracts today and information from the management company, one thing they mention is asbestos in the corridors and a risk assessment was carried out a few years ago but does not pose much risk.


However inside there is a warm air gas heating system which I worry will also have asbestos and I am going to be switching this to Gas Central heating. Is there a chance is asbestos was used in the corridors it was also used internally in the flat?


I have heard warm air gas systems are more likely to be at risk? Would it be a costly job if asbestos was present?


thanks

AdrianC

Is the heating system just in your flat, or is it communal around the block?

Yes, if there is asbestos in the communal areas, there's a very strong chance it'll be in your flat, too. Is there DEFINITELY asbestos in the communal areas? Or just a chance of it? In what form?

teddysmum

My grandmother lived in an LA bungalow with blown air heating and we (I lived with her while she got used to the layout, as she was blind) both disliked it.


I didn't like the cold spots and she , who used to sit near a vent, to keep warm, disliked the fact that the air was very dry, causing her eyes to water.


Based on this, I would prefer a conventional gas central heating system, without even thinking about asbestos.

cashbackproblems

AdrianC wrote: »

Is the heating system just in your flat, or is it communal around the block?

Yes, if there is asbestos in the communal areas, there's a very strong chance it'll be in your flat, too. Is there DEFINITELY asbestos in the communal areas? Or just a chance of it? In what form?

Yes its part of the documents sent to me by the seller, where an assessment was done of the building and it identified asbestos, areas of removal and 12 monthly inspections which have been taken place.


"AIB riser panels Adjacent flats 5 & 6"

AdrianC

AIB is Asbestos Insulation Board. So it's not a hazard unless and until it starts getting broken up.

cashbackproblems

There is artex ceiling inside the flat and very old wall paper, do you think its worth doing a survey? and the warm air gas?

teneighty

AdrianC wrote: »

AIB is Asbestos Insulation Board. So it's not a hazard unless and until it starts getting broken up.

or a tradesman has to remove the riser panel to get at the pipes or electrics behind. Not sure I would have classed it as low risk in a risk assessment, I hope it is well labelled.

As for the heating then it is possible for there to be boards in the ducts and around the heater which contain asbestos. If it is AIB it will be expensive to remove. Probably worth considering an asbestos survey in the flat although access to the areas where suspected asbestos materials might be hidden will be required so the vendor may not agree.

I would have thought that some of the other residents would already have had the tests done so it might be worth making some enquiries around the block.

cashbackproblems

thanks I will get a survey gone, the stuff in the communal area is not my responsibility and the pack I received from my solicitor today looks like the AIB's are annually reviewed and labelled.


Its more inside where I will need to do a survey once I get the keys. Is anyone knows of a Asbestos surveyor in the Kent/Bromley area let me know.