Asbestos exposed in my rental flat? Advice wanted.

AdviceWanted

Hi all,

I'd like some advice on the likely hood that the photo below this post could be an asbestos threat.

EDIT: Turns out new users can't post links or photos! Sultanabran has posted the link for me. Please see below. It's an off white finely textured substance revealed where the paint has pealed off. The exposed is area is about 15 cm by 5 cm.

I'm renting in the UK and am originally from Australia. Recently water damage got into my roof and it has exposed some of the building material in the ceiling. Please see the photo. I recently googled it and was horrified to discover Asbestos is still common in many buildings here. (Being a younger and less densely populated country we're pretty sheltered in Australia).

Honestly I really don't know much about it so I was wondering if someone with more experience (preferably a builder) could tell me if it's likely that part of ceiling would contain Asbestos?

Unfortunately I don't know how old the building is except to say it's definitely built well before 2000, the landlord purchased it some 20 years ago and was working for the previous owner before that. It's in Clapham on the High St and I was reading that a historic building a couple blocks away was built in 1914 though I can't speak to renovations.

Also it's a relatively small opening. There is a breeze blowing through the apartment and the substance does look textured in a way that could potentially be crumbly (though I definitely having touched it!) But I'm not really sure if a small opening like that is actually dangerous? I've spoken to the landlord's agent and they're not sure so any advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

ceredigion

photo ?
..........

docmatt

No picture dude.

sultanabran

Pic posted on behalf of the OP

https://www.flickr.com/photos/36806076@N02/35632487581/in/dateposted-public/

AdviceWanted

Legend ! Thanks Sultanabran. Sultanabran has kindly posted the link to the photo for me. Please click the link to view the afore mentioned photo. As I said any advice would be appreciated.

EachPenny

AdviceWanted wrote: »

As I said any advice would be appreciated.

It is impossible to tell from a photo (like yours) whether or not something contains asbestos, so any responses you get will be guesses based on assumptions. The only way of being sure is to get a sample tested.

If you want to know more about the risks of asbestos, one of the best sources of official information is the HSE website. http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/

AdviceWanted

Hey thanks, I understand its impossible to tell from a photo. I'm just asking about the likelihood that its dangerous from someone who's more experienced with than me (like an asbestos consultant or an experienced builder). It's also a small hole so I'm hoping I'm stressing out over nothing. Thanks for the link.

EachPenny

AdviceWanted wrote: »

Hey thanks, I understand its impossible to tell from a photo. I'm just asking about the likelihood that its dangerous from someone who's more experienced with than me (like an asbestos consultant or an experienced builder). It's also a small hole so I'm hoping I'm stressing out over nothing. Thanks for the link.

I don't mean to be flippant, but you'd do just as well to get a coin and toss it. Heads it's asbestos. Tails it might not be.

Depending on when the ceiling was last installed/repaired the work might have been done using an asbestos product, or it might be gypsum plasterboard, or a material called 'Masterboard'. It is impossible to tell by looking at a picture of a flatish greyish surface.

Rather than worry about it, you should consider what you are going to do about it. Are you going to ask the landlord to repair the water damage properly, or are you content to leave it as it is?

AdviceWanted

You seem to know a bit about materials. Can I ask what your experience with this sort of thing is? If you know a reasonable amount about asbestos can you tell me (or anyone tell me) if a small opening like that is a serious risk to my safety? I will pack up and get an air bnb if need be. It's not really worth my health.

To answer your question I've already asked them to repair it twice. I'm moving out at the end of the month so I get the impression they are planing to wait to do this repair before the next tenant moves in. I could pressure them (which I've done out of necessity with other repairs) but I'm also concerned that if it is asbestos, having them sand and reseal the damage will actually spread more particles in the flat and on my belongings. My understanding is legally they are obligated to prevent / minimise asbestos risk. And I even read on a couple websites they're obligated to tell you if asbestos is in the building? Does anyone know anything about this? As I said I'd appreciate advice from someone with experience in this area.

Thanks.

Davesnave

If it were me, and I was as concerned as you sound, I'd be pro-active and seal the surface with PVA.

2 minutes, job done.

Then I'd get on with my life.

Kiran

2nd the opinion above. Seal with pva or alkyd paint. The landlords agent saying they're not sure is a cop out, if they are managing properties that could potentially contain asbestos then someone should be trained to an awareness level. As everyone else has said, you can't tell asbestos by looking at it with the naked eye. The suspect material needs to be sampled by an asbestos surveyor and examined under a microscope. It costs about £30. Are your agents not going to repair the damage from the leak?