Asbestos concerns...

MEJBelloz

Hello,

My fiancee and I have just had a surveyor report on a house we are buying. They noted that as the property was built in 1950s and the ceilings are 'popcorn/artex' style, there is a chance asbestos exist in the ceilings.

The cause for concern is that one of bedroom ceilings is peeling due to an old leak (roof has been replaced since). So there is a chance if asbestos is in the ceilings, this might have been released from the damaged bedroom ceiling.

I'm looking for advice. Does living in a home with asbestos in the ceilings cause concern? Likewise, how would you redecorate the ceiling in the bedroom if asbestos exists... as I guess you can just peel the broken bits off and repaint?

Seems expensive to encapsulate/strip all the room ceilings when only the bedroom has damage.

stillEuropean

I also have artex on nearly every ceiling, and my understanding is that as long as it's not disturbed, it doesn't do any harm. It's when the fibres are loose and breathed in that it potentially causes problems. I suggest that you get a plasterer to skim the ceiling that's damaged rather than peeling off broken bits, which is precisely what you shouldn't do.

MEJBelloz

So would skimming over it be a sufficient fix? I'm guessing you would have to skim over the flaking bits?

stillEuropean

There's two other alternatives in addition to skimming. Have the plasterers overboard and then skim, which will be more expensive and you will lose a bit of height in the room, but will definitely solve the problem. Or, get the asbestos in that room removed completely by asbestos specialists. The latter will definitely be more expensive and you'll then need to re-board and skim.

tgon

I’m probably biased but as my father died early from asbestosis I would pay extra to rid the property of it and never have any doubts. However, as a previous post says, i believe it’s only a significant health hazard in fibrous form and should be permanently sealed by an experienced tradesman, and hope no future damage will affect its structure.

FreeBear

MEJBelloz wrote: »

So would skimming over it be a sufficient fix? I'm guessing you would have to skim over the flaking bits?

Skimming only works if it is going on to a stable surface. If the artex is pealing, then any plaster put on top will fall off. It may only take a couple of days or it could be months, but it will come down eventually.

Frank99

MEJBelloz wrote: »

Hello,

My fiancee and I have just had a surveyor report on a house we are buying. They noted that as the property was built in 1950s and the ceilings are 'popcorn/artex' style, there is a chance asbestos exist in the ceilings.

The cause for concern is that one of bedroom ceilings is peeling due to an old leak (roof has been replaced since). So there is a chance if asbestos is in the ceilings, this might have been released from the damaged bedroom ceiling.

I'm looking for advice. Does living in a home with asbestos in the ceilings cause concern? Likewise, how would you redecorate the ceiling in the bedroom if asbestos exists... as I guess you can just peel the broken bits off and repaint?

Seems expensive to encapsulate/strip all the room ceilings when only the bedroom has damage.

I would just paint over and seal it in, my understanding was that artex contained 1-2% asbestos and is dangerous if air-bound but not dormant.

tired_dad

Get it tested. Not v expensive.

vw100

The artex if it does contain asbestos for a start would be <10% Its only a concern mainly if you sand it down. If it does contain asbestos it would be bonded into the artex mainly. Your options are get it skimmed or boarded over. Not worth the hassle and expense to remove it.

JimmyChanga

Just paint it over.

HDG_2

Hi

I’m new to forums so apologies if I have gatecrashed someone else’s thread.

Wanted some advice. I had an asbestos survey done in my house which confirmed (when sampled), that the soffits around the house were made of asbestos cement. I duly arranged an asbestos removal company to dismantle and remove it as we were doing a loft conversion.

Frustratingly the asbestos removal company completely botched the job. They did not follow the proper protocols and I was concerned to find a lot of asbestos debris on the scaffolding and on the patio/garden below. I complained to the company who admitted liability. They came round to clear it away.

While I appreciate it is a low risk form of asbestos I am concerned that we were exposed from a health perspective. All the windows were closed on the day that the soffits were removed but myself and my children were in the property and had to come in and out on several occasions. With broken bits of cement asbestos debris on the floor (outside) would this have been harmful to health?

The company ordered air ventilation tests to reassure us but I can’t help wondering and worrying.

Is a visual clear up sufficient or is there something more comprehensive that needs to be done.

Would appreciate any advice.

Thanks.