textured walls and asbestos worry?

mac456

Hi all,

I have textured walls in my porch and I noticed the other day there was a small mark on the wall so I wiped it with a wet wipe (gently) and a very small amount of the paint flaked off onto the wipe and tiled floor.

I didn't think too much of it until I started researching textured walls online and then I came to realize that it can contain asbestos!! and now that is all I can think off....

If this textured wall actually contains asbestos, what sort of risk have I put my self in this situation?
is this actually something to be worried about? (I saw no dust at all, just flakes of paint (and not much of that))


Also I think the Porch was built in the late 80's so there is a chance it could contain it I think.

Thanks for any advice.

Dean000000

Very little risk, and even if yes, very very little exposure.

Bigphil1474

OP, old wall texture coatings could contain low risk asbestos (Chrysotile) at relatively low levels <10%. Anything pre 1999 is suspect, although more typically 1980's. The risk from asbestos comes from the actual asbestos fibres, which if breathed in, get into your lungs, and eventually kill ya - typically 30 years later.
From your description - minimal risk - as Dean says. The main risk would be if you started drilling into it or tried sanding it down and creating dust which could feasibly contain the fibres. You could pay someone to remove it (which may be expensive), or seal then skim over (which is cheaper), or if it's in good condition otherwise, just give it another lick of paint. Just remember to not drill into, sand it or otherwise mess around with it.

mac456

Thanks for info guys, I just cant believe I potentially put my self at risk from simply cleaning!

Surprised our home buyer survey never picked this up.

Fire_Fox

Multiple recent threads on asbestos if you run an advanced search.

mac456

thanks fire fox. Doesn't sound like I need to worry about the situation too much and it may not actually be asbestos.

From now on I am going to wear a ffp3 mask when doing anything (almost makes me wish i bought a new house)

keith969

mac456 wrote: »

Hi all,
I have textured walls in my porch and I noticed the other day there was a small mark on the wall so I wiped it with a wet wipe (gently) and a very small amount of the paint flaked off onto the wipe and tiled floor.

I didn't think too much of it until I started researching textured walls online and then I came to realize that it can contain asbestos!! and now that is all I can think off....

You wiped it? Better panic. You might die! Seriously, get a life.

Davesnave

mac456 wrote: »

Thanks for info guys, I just cant believe I potentially put my self at risk from simply cleaning!

You really didn't, compared with the risk you take every day by just breathing if you live in a city or reasonable-sized town. How many buildings with decaying asbestos roofs must there be in such places, and what about diesel particulates, smoke from wood-burners etc etc?

I expect you've also ridden in a car which is much more risky from an immediate danger POV.

mac456

Davesnave wrote: »

You really didn't, compared with the risk you take every day by just breathing if you live in a city or reasonable-sized town. How many buildings with decaying asbestos roofs must there be in such places, and what about diesel particulates, smoke from wood-burners etc etc?

I expect you've also ridden in a car which is much more risky from an immediate danger POV.

Yes makes sense. Many more dangers out there!


Anyway an update for anyone interested or has come across this thread.

Due to future plans of upgrading our porch door, I decided to get a sample of the material/s tested as some repair would be needed anyway to the wall.
It turns out the white part was really thin and was backed by what looks like a dark brown plaster.

Anyway the test came back as negative so all is a good going forward.

vw100

We are all breathing in a asbestos fibre every couple of minutes because this mineral was used in pretty much everything. Its long term exposure which is a risk, a bit of exposure or drilling into artex will not kill you. Some people who have worked with asbestos are still alive and healthy.


Some countries in the world are still exporting, manufacturing and using asbestos containing products. Strange that. Canada is one of the biggest exporters in the world.


But best to be safe and all that.

Alan2020

mac456 wrote: »

thanks fire fox. Doesn't sound like I need to worry about the situation too much and it may not actually be asbestos.

From now on I am going to wear a ffp3 mask when doing anything (almost makes me wish i bought a new house)

Get a Grip :A

Have you walked past a skip, most probably has asbestos in it, illegally
Have you driven behind a van carrying crap, most probably has asbestos in it.
Have you or your neighbour refurbished, you are doomed

New build will have some toxins they will identify in 20 years time, what are you going to do? :rotfl: