asbestos water tank removal?

goodwithsaving

Hello there,

I've had a survey done on a house I intend to buy and although I can cope with getting a new boiler, sorting electrics, roof lining and the odd window, I wasn't prepared to hear that the water tank is asbestos cement.

I don't know if this tank is in use, but I was planning to replace the very old boiler with a new combi. Would this require disturbance of the water tank?

Is it incredibly expensive to remove such a tank?

Thank you. I'm not a FTB and don't scare easily.........I just don't want to buy a money pit!

casper_g

Is this the cold water tank, in the roof space? What exactly is your concern here? Asbestos is hazardous if you inhale fibres, but there is no evidence as far as I know that ingesting it in drinking water or food is harmful (see e.g. this WHO document). Asbestos cement is quite stable and doesn't generally release fibres unless you disturb it, for example by cutting/drilling.

If you want to get a new plastic water tank, this should be cheap but even with a new tank it would probably be best to leave the redundant asbestos one in place as removing it could be tricky and more hazardous than leaving it where it is. If it won't fit through the loft hatch in one piece, it will either need to be cut up in the loft (bad idea, lots of dust generated and needing to be contained and cleaned up) or a larger opening made to get it out (this would be frankly silly!).

goodwithsaving

My concern is that to change the boiler will require the water tank to be disturbed.........(and I don't want a big water tank in the loft as the space would be useful for storage)

If they've used it for the tank I also wonder where else it has been used!

Ruski

If swapping to a combi the tank will be drained and isolated, no need to disturb it at all.

HTH

Russ

goodwithsaving

But if it's in the water tank, will it be anywhere in the heating system? (Sorry for the questions, I don't know anything practical at all!)

Alex1983

No it will be fine, it's very common, the system will be drained the tank capped off and left in place. Unless you intended to convert the loft I'd just leave alone.

Ruski

goodwithsaving wrote: »

But if it's in the water tank, will it be anywhere in the heating system? (Sorry for the questions, I don't know anything practical at all!)

No - Combi systems are 'self contained' and don't require a header tank in the loft.

HTH

Russ

PhilE

Asbestos concrete is to the best of my knowledge an unlicensed asbestos product, which means its easier to get an unlicensed asbestos pro to move. Its not incredibly expensive to remove.

Hi content asbestos requires a licensed company to move, and is expensive to do so.

Before the installation of the combi, I'd get advice from a pro qualified to inspect and advice the tank plus any advice regarding asbestos in your home. He/she will take samples and find out what asbestos you'd be dealing with exactly.

Check with the heating engineer whether the flue needs replacing, you may find that if its an old system its an asbestos concrete flue. As far as I know a heating engineer can take an asbestos concrete flue away. However, if the flue is encased in paneling, that itself may be the high content type and will be expensive to move.

More info than you asked, but be prepared when replacing an old boiler. Speaking from recent experience here.

If the tanks is going to be drained, I'd advise to get it removed. Yes its safe if in good condition, but why keep a load of asbestos in your house? As for another poster suggesting asbestos may be harmless to drink, I'm not drinking asbestos and I wouldn't want any kids to be drinking it. But that's just me.

Get advice from a qualified asbestos pro first, and talk to a few heating engineers before proceeding. There are some cowboys out there so be careful.

goodwithsaving

Thank you. I've had a busy day but have had a heating engineer confirm they're okay to put in a new boiler, however first will have someone come and sample any areas they suspect may contain it. I'll pass on the information about the flue, thank you. I've had a reasonable quote (£200) to remove the tank.
I agree about drinking water - I don't want to drink from water that has been in the tank. I don't want the tank left up there empty either.
Help reply, appreciated. My first thought was !!!! just what a don't need to contend with, but perhaps it is managable

unforeseen

Where did you find a surveyor for a blue buying survey who is also qualified and experienced enough to identify asbestos without testing a sample of it?

He could make a fortune

goodwithsaving

unforeseen wrote: »

Where did you find a surveyor for a blue buying survey who is also qualified and experienced enough to identify asbestos without testing a sample of it?

He could make a fortune

Thanks for the sarcy comment, I am incredibly stressed about this.

And working on the basis of typical locations and where I want to undertake building work. However, they will be sampling floors, walls and ceilings in each room on my request.