Buying house with asbestos ceilings

Chrisminns

Hi
Buying a house with asbestos with ceilings. I was quoted

£10000/£12000for removal and reboarding.

I need cheaper alternative as that would take me a year to save that amount and that without spending money to do the house up which is not possible as the house is a state.

I have been looking online and seems it's recommended to leave it and plaster over. But that would cost £5000 approx.

Is there a way to just seal it and what would I use. ?
Would this be the cheapest route ?Would this be safe for me to do what precautions do I need to take ? Air filter machine respirator ?
or recommend for a professional.

Also ceilings are yellow previous vendor was smoker. What is best to use to clean ceilings ? is cleaning ceiling possible or could that damage the asbestos ceiling.

Many thanks

Davesnave

When you say 'asbestos ceilings' do you really mean Artexed ceilings that contain asbestos, or ceilings made with asbestos board/ tiles?

The latter would be unusual, but not impossible.

Also, what is your source of information aboiut the ceilings when the house isn't yours yet? Have the ceilings been tested, and if so, by whom?

Chrisminns

Yes Artexed ceilings that contain asbestos. A asbestos kit was used we complete next week.

Davesnave

You would typically seal artexed-type ceilings with coats of fresh paint.

While you could use a specialist stain-block paint for smoker's ceilings, some people find that a coat or two of an oil based undercoat works fine as a base. Then it's as many coats of quality pvc emulsion/silk finish as you need.

If the artex finish isn't breaking-up and flaking away, it poses no great risk, especially as the amounts of asbestos in it will be small. Assuming it's sound, you won't need any protective gear, only perhaps if drilling into it for extra light fittings etc.

There are millions of artexed ceilings. In reasonable condition, they're no big deal. You can have them skimmed later, as you re-do the rooms, if you don't like them.

Niv

Artex is not a big deal. Paint it and forget about it.


Artex that contains asbestos would typically consist of 1-2% and normally only white.


Once painted it will cause you no hassle.

societys_child

Agree with all above comments, just paint it.

£5K to plaster it? Someone's having a laugh.

xylophone

Would Zinnser BIN be suitable to seal before repainting?

You could check.

theartfullodger

Assuming it's a bit bumpy/lumpy, skim first for a fresh, flat, surface then paint.

Hasbeen

Artexed ceilings if done right at the time usually look ok, with pattern. Fresh coat of paint is all that is required.

Personally would not get them skimmed as it will 1.cost. 2.Wet plaster softens the artex and have heard of problems when it sags drops off.