Buying a house with ??Asbestos dust

dasa424

After a long time, we finally found our dream home but the survey found a section of discarded asbestos pipe which was most likely part of an old heating system removed before. The vendor of the house has passed away so there is no way to found out when the old heating system was removed. We did proper asbestos survey then, they found couple of more ACMs i.e ceiling boards in other places and also confirmed that the pipe in the kitchen void was Chrysotile. We have young children and are now very worried that if the old heating system was bashed and removed by unprofessionals (as they left an ACM pipe in the place) then the fibres must had been spread all over the house. We would like to do some extension and we are worried that would airborne all the settled asbestos fibres in the air. The asbestos company recommended to remove the obvious ACM material and did not seem to be really concerned about the possible dust from previous unprofessional work. We ask them to do three dust samplings from the kitchen, but even if the result is negative, we do not know if it would still be safe to go ahead. We do not know much about asbestos. Are we getting assessed and paranoid?

AnotherJoe

I dont know about getting "assessed' but I'd say yes you are paranoid.

I suggest you look elsewhere to avoid unnecessary worry as no doubt this will prey on your mind otherwise, whatever you do with the house.

SmashedAvacado

Get a survey for particles. This inst particularly expensive - about £300

We had to have a loft cleared of particles having had a survey. That was about £12,000. Go in with your eyes open.

AdrianC

dasa424 wrote: »

The asbestos company recommended to remove the obvious ACM material and did not seem to be really concerned about the possible dust from previous unprofessional work. We ask them to do three dust samplings from the kitchen, but even if the result is negative, we do not know if it would still be safe to go ahead. We do not know much about asbestos. Are we getting assessed and paranoid?

Just re-read that bit to yourself...

The experts - the people who you're paying, and who would simply get more business from you if this was an issue - don't think it's a risk.


You say the previous occupant has died. Did they die of asbestos-related causes?

phill99

Be realistic. Asbestos was used in the Construction industry up until around 20 - 25 years ago.


Unless you buy a house built since then, then you are very likely to have asbestos in your house. It's in insulation, soffits, fascias, gutters, wall claddings, artex, etc etc.


The building you work in probably has asbestos, as does your pub, restaurant, car dealership, shops ........


So just think about it in relative terms.