Asbestos water tank in loft

longwalks1

We’re having our old boiler and tanks removed and a new condensing combi boiler fitted by Eon in 3 weeks time. The guy who visited today said the main water tank in the loft is asbestos so they’d simply disconnect it and move it to the corner of the loft. And it will need a company with a Clean Air Licence to remove it.
Questions:

Should we be worried it’s up there?

Should we get rid of it completely?

It won’t fit through the loft hatch so will a `clean air licence’ company break it up to remove it, or insist on widening loft hatch? (We plan on replastering the landing and ceiling anyway, so not a huge issue if they do)

Thanks everyone

unforeseen

Has it been tested or is the guy saying that to save them the problem of getting it out?

longwalks1

unforeseen wrote: »

Has it been tested or is the guy saying that to save them the problem of getting it out?

Not been tested, just going by what the Eon guy said earlier when he looked up there

Is it easy getting it tested? We’d like rid of it for the extra storage space in the loft it would give us

malky39

I would be surprised if they will move it after disconnecting as should something happen whilst moving it and it gets damage it would be Eon that would be paying for the clean up. As said leave it where it is

ariba10

If it is disconnected I would invest in a few pounds worth of Clingfilm or other plastic sheeting, wrap I around the tank and then forget about it.

Niv

No need to wrap it in plastic if its a cement tank. Just leave it where it is and ignore it.

Norman_Castle

If you want the space for storage and are having the ceiling boarded enlarging the loft hatch is normally straightforward. Would the tank fit through a sensibly sized hatch?

Bigphil1474

Agree with Niv #6 - if you can. Don't be worried. Asbestos containing materials are dangerous if the asbestos fibres are breathed into the lungs - fibres are only usually released if there is damage to the item, or the material becomes friable. Most ACM's of this type are relatively low asbestos content - typically 10-15%. If the tank is undamaged, then there shouldn't be any fibres released. If there were fibres in the water, they won't harm you if you drink them - the danger is purely about the asbestos fibres getting in your lungs.


If it does contain asbestos (and the Eon guy may be right - a lot of old cement products contain asbestos) it is usually Chrysotile (white asbestos) which is the lowest risk asbestos - still risk though. You can leave it be out of the way, or have it encapsulated, or have it removed.


If you want it removing, I'd recommend using a licensed asbestos company. You could have it tested but can't see the economy in that as it's easier and cheaper to assume it contains asbestos. It shouldn't be an expensive job - they can just take it out and dispose of it legally, and will do an environmental clean around the area where it was if necessary. If it's too big to get out, they would have to break it down, but can do it safely without risking spreading asbestos fibres all over. The expensive asbestos jobs are where they need to put in enclosures with 3 stage air locks and need a decontamination unit, air monitoring, multiple operatives etc. etc. Not necessary for this job.
Technically, the law about removing asbestos from properties only applies in commercial premises. You could get it out yourself, but not a good idea if it can't be taken out whole. You'd still have to pay to dispose of it anyway as it can't legally be just taken to your local tip, and not worth the risk IMO. Leaving it does have it's down side, especially if you plan on moving on at some point. If you do leave it in place, I'd advise putting something on it to say it may contain asbestos so the next person who goes up there will know.


Having said all that, if Eon are doing the work, they must have their own systems in place to protect the guys coming to do the work, so that may trump anything you do.

PhilE

If its not going to be used anymore, just get rid of it.