Worried about asbestos in plaster in walls England house built in 1983

Killswitch1

So basically the plaster in my room is falling apart, we had the blinds replaced in this room with curtains and it has pulled some of the plaster down and now I’m worried it might be asbestos in the plaster. My wife thinks we had it redone in 2009 but I’m not sure I have a few pictures as I’m really not sure I am quite worried about this as it has been like this for quite some time the house was built in 1983. Any reassurance is welcomed.

da_rule

You can buy testing kits it you’re that worried about it.

A quick Google search found this: https://artisansurveyors.co.uk/product/asbestos-sample-kit/

I’m sure there will be others available.

Alternatively there are surveyors who specialise in testing and identifying asbestos who you could call on.

Davesnave

Reassurance?

OK. It's fine and there's nothing to worry about.

Will that do?


Seriously, what makes you think there is asbestos in the plaster? Without a reason for it, the presence of asbestos in ordinary wall plaster is unlikely.

The only way to be 100% sure there is none in there is to have a sample tested, not to ask random strangers to say things in the hope they'll make you feel better.

1980s plaster shouldn't be shot yet, but if it really is "falling apart" everywhere, a test should tell you whether there is any extra risk from removing it. It will be hellish dusty anyway, whatever the result!

davidmcn

Killswitch1 wrote: »

So basically the plaster in my room is falling apart, we had the blinds replaced in this room with curtains and it has pulled some of the plaster down and now I’m worried it might be asbestos in the plaster. My wife thinks we had it redone in 2009 but I’m not sure I have a few pictures as I’m really not sure I am quite worried about this as it has been like this for quite some time the house was built in 1983. Any reassurance is welcomed.

What makes you think it has asbestos in it? I've never heard of asbestos in plaster.

If asbestos were really that prevalent (and hazardous) then the general population would be coming down with asbestos-related illnesses all the time. Whereas in reality it's typically only those who only worked with asbestos day in and day out who end up suffering from it.

AdrianC

Your main health risk is being hit on the head by a bit of plaster.

If it was "redone", it was probably skimmed, rather than the old plaster stripped off back to bare brick.

yksi

The risk of asbestos is in disturbing it. A little chunk falling off a wall is nothing to be concerned about whatsoever providing you washed your hands and tidied up. Asbestos was being phased out by the mid-70s and a 1983 home is pretty unlikely to have it in the plaster. It's more likely to be seen on the pipes near your boiler, etc.

If the rest of the property is made of fibreboard sheeting and you're planning on doing demolition work of the 1950s back shed and you're doing it yourself... then your mileage may vary.

FreeBear

davidmcn wrote: »

What makes you think it has asbestos in it? I've never heard of asbestos in plaster.

To the best of my knowledge, asbestos has never been used in domestic plaster. By the 1980s, the dangers of asbestos had been recognised and its use being phased out. The chances of a house built in 1983 containing asbestos is minimal unless.... Asbestos in textured paints is a possibility. Got any original Artex ceilings ?

AnotherJoe

Killswitch1 wrote: »

So basically the plaster in my room is falling apart, we had the blinds replaced in this room with curtains and it has pulled some of the plaster down and now I’m worried it might be asbestos in the plaster. My wife thinks we had it redone in 2009
If by "redone" you mean the old plaster was removed and replastered with new, you'd remember for sure since you'd have been coated in fine dust for weeks !

but I’m not sure I have a few pictures as I’m really not sure I am quite worried about this as it has been like this for quite some time the house was built in 1983. Any reassurance is welcomed.

Its quite likely there is asbestos in the ceilings assuming they are artex. As long as you don't grind them up and breathe the dust in you'll be fine.

Its extremely unlikely its in the wall plaster. As in incredibly unlikely.