Asbestos vent pipe - issue?

Laugh2x

Hi.
A flat I'm interested in purchasing has a loft. Inside the loft, there is a flue vent. It looks like a cylindrical tube that is used as circulation/a chimney. The Home Report says the concrete on this vent contains asbestos. From looking at the property plan and pictures, the vent looks like it runs through the whole building - from top floor to ground floor.  Now, I would like to eventually convert the loft to more storage space or an extra room.  For this I assume I'd need planning permission from the local council.  Would the vent, which runs through other flats in the building, mean planning couldn't be granted, meaning I couldn't do the loft conversion?  How much would it cost to remove or replace the vent?  Thank you.

Robin9

An asbestos vent in itself is not an issue when left alone - it's when you cut it that problems arise.
The main problem you will find is if you try and box the pipe in such that it can't be inspected during a gas safety inspection.

Slithery

Is the loft actually demised to you in the lease? They quite often remain the property of the freeholder.

Laugh2x

Slithery said:

Is the loft actually demised to you in the lease? They quite often remain the property of the freeholder.

Yes the flat is freehold. Robin9 said:

An asbestos vent in itself is not an issue when left alone - it's when you cut it that problems arise.
The main problem you will find is if you try and box the pipe in such that it can't be inspected during a gas safety inspection.

I've not been to view the property in person due to the lockdown but I assume this is the pipe the home report refers to .
 
The Home Report gives limited info and just says "Asbestos cement vent pipe in roof space "

I assume this is the vent pipe.
Not sure if it's the actual pipe or just the cement around the pipe they are referring to.   If it's just the cement, I'd assume it can be removed easily.  But if it's the pipe that runs through other flats, it's going to be very difficult job.

Robin9

It's not a cement coating -  the whole pipe is an asbestos/cement composite.

Laugh2x

Robin9 said:

It's not a cement coating -  the whole pipe is an asbestos/cement composite.

You think it is the whole pipe, not the square concrete base?

I spoke to a solicitor today about it and they said they would enquire but haven't got back in touch with me.  I got the impression they thought it was too risky purchase .

Jeepers_Creepers

What is that pipe actually used for? I doubt it's a active boiler flue as the associated boiler would need to be yonks old - surely 30 years or more? In which case there will come a time soon when it'll need replacing, and that flue will then be redundant.

Even if it is a functioning flue, it doesn't pose any risk to anyone in that loft - as said above, it's only when you cut/grind/break up such a pipe that any asbestos fibres will come free. If you are concerned about the odd surface fibre coming free, all the pipe would need is a coat of a suitable paint to keep the surface sealed.

And, I doubt it's a high-risk asbestos in the first place - tho' you should have this confirmed.

If that pipe serves no useful function to your flat, and if it's shown to be a 'risk', I would imagine that the onus is on its actual owner to replace it - it is, after all, passing through your freehold property.

More likely, I think - and this is what the report suggests - is that it's a soil vent pipe; that's the pipe that continues up from your toilet and allows air in whenever you flush... In which case 'your own' flat may well be sharing it - is there a bathroom immediately below it?

If it's a vent pipe, then paint away, sleeve it, wrap it, and even box it in - it won't matter a jot. 

Laugh2x

Jeepers_Creepers said:

What is that pipe actually used for? I doubt it's a active boiler flue as the associated boiler would need to be yonks old - surely 30 years or more? In which case there will come a time soon when it'll need replacing, and that flue will then be redundant.

Even if it is a functioning flue, it doesn't pose any risk to anyone in that loft - as said above, it's only when you cut/grind/break up such a pipe that any asbestos fibres will come free. If you are concerned about the odd surface fibre coming free, all the pipe would need is a coat of a suitable paint to keep the surface sealed.

And, I doubt it's a high-risk asbestos in the first place - tho' you should have this confirmed.

If that pipe serves no useful function to your flat, and if it's shown to be a 'risk', I would imagine that the onus is on its actual owner to replace it - it is, after all, passing through your freehold property.

More likely, I think - and this is what the report suggests - is that it's a soil vent pipe; that's the pipe that continues up from your toilet and allows air in whenever you flush... In which case 'your own' flat may well be sharing it - is there a bathroom immediately below it?

If it's a vent pipe, then paint away, sleeve it, wrap it, and even box it in - it won't matter a jot. 

Great info thanks - yes, the bathroom and toilet are directly underneath the pipe!! 
Does this mean it can't be dealt with so easily because other flats may be sharing it i.e. it runs through the whole building?  Would it be possible to replace my portion of the pipe.. i.e. cut it off at the bottom and attach on a new pipe? Just a thought.

Slithery

Just leave it as-is and box it in. It will be cheaper than replacing the pipe.

Laugh2x

Slithery said:

Just leave it as-is and box it in. It will be cheaper than replacing the pipe.

Will the pipe make the flat un-mortgagable and un-rentable?
Could the council reject planning permission even if the pipe was boxed in? i.e. does the fact that the pipe is there mean planning permission can't be granted, even if it was boxed in as part of the loft conversion?

Jeepers_Creepers

If it's a gas flue pipe for a boiler - very unlikely - I think you'd be entitled to ask the boiler's owner to sort it as it's passing through your house. I really doubt it is, tho' - it's more likely to be a soil vent pipe in which case you can have someone in to remove it and replace it with plastic if you wish. 

(Actually, if it is a boiler flue, chances are it's redundant and has just been left behind. But you do need to confirm. Can you see what it looks like on the outside where it comes out through the roof?)

Even if it's a shared vent pipe, that doesn't matter - it can still be cut and replaced. The worst that will happen is you may have a whiff coming in to the loft when the pipe is cut...

If the actual position of the pipe isn't a problem - and it looks to be nicely to the side and end of the room - I would simply have it boxed in as part of the work - it does not need to be accessible (assuming it ain't a boiler flue). Sorted. Bear in mind that this pipe is almost certainly passing right through your flat and the ones below too - and everyone is still alive. 

If you want it replaced by plastic - completely unnecessarily - obviously the workers mustn't be cowboys, and should have the proper protocol for dealing with asbestos-cement.