Can this be asbestos?

Dedekind

Ok reviving this because we are starting works next week. Our builder doesn't think its asbestos. Should we have it tested or just trust him? We plan to remove it because we have other plans for the chimney breast so it has to go. It does look like very easy to remove just from unscrewing but it also seems to have silicone or similar on the borders.

vw100

I got similar boards on a car port ceiling and the asbestos test said it was negative although i thought it was asbestos.

Davesnave

Dedekind said:

Ok reviving this because we are starting works next week. Our builder doesn't think its asbestos. Should we have it tested or just trust him? We plan to remove it because we have other plans for the chimney breast so it has to go. It does look like very easy to remove just from unscrewing but it also seems to have silicone or similar on the borders.

You've had plenty of advice already. If it was me, I'd have a spray bottle of plain water handy and give everything a good dousing with that as I removed it. And it would be me, not anyone else, because I'd be careful and take my time.

Mind you I have one foot in the grave anyway.....

Hasbeen

Dedekind said:

Ok reviving this because we are starting works next week. Our builder doesn't think its asbestos. Should we have it tested or just trust him? We plan to remove it because we have other plans for the chimney breast so it has to go. It does look like very easy to remove just from unscrewing but it also seems to have silicone or similar on the borders.

If it is actual asbestos then it is dangerous! But first of all you would have to grind it down to a really fine powder then breath it in. Or just remove it without breaking it up to much. Wear a mask if concerned.

Dedekind

Well it is the builder that will remove it. I can tell him to be extra careful of course. But if he's not, what do I do? There could be particles all over the place afterwards? 

Undervalued

Dedekind said:

Well it is the builder that will remove it. I can tell him to be extra careful of course. But if he's not, what do I do? There could be particles all over the place afterwards? 

That can of course be true with a specialist contractor too! A friend had an asbestos garage removed by a licensed asbestos firm and was pretty horrified about how little care seemed to be involved, particularly considering the price! 

Hasbeen

Undervalued said:

Dedekind said:

Well it is the builder that will remove it. I can tell him to be extra careful of course. But if he's not, what do I do? There could be particles all over the place afterwards? 

That can of course be true with a specialist contractor too! A friend had an asbestos garage removed by a licensed asbestos firm and was pretty horrified about how little care seemed to be involved, particularly considering the price! 

Probably because the contractor knew there was little or no risk. People get all upset and worried about asbestos, in reality unless you smash to pieces creating dust/particles then risk is minimum. But always take sufficient precautions depending on what type of asbestos is being moved.