Possible Asbestos Board

Danny30

Hi, I just had a plumber come round for the downstairs toilet and he has said he's 95% sure that the board against the wall is Asbestos. We are going to have to get someone in to check it but does anyone know if by looking at the images it looks like Asbestos. It has a shiny effect effect in areas where the plugs were. If it is Asbestos, would I be able to claim the costs back as we had a full survey and the surveyor didn't mention anything about asbestos?

EssexExile

I'm no expert, one will be along soon, but I believe you can remove small amounts of asbestos board yourself.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a14.pdf

Paula_Smith

Does it actually need removing?
Please correct me if I am wrong, but isn't asbestos safe unless you break it, cut it or drill it which creates dust?

Niv

To be clear - I cannot tell from those photos if this is highly likely to be asbestos or not - I would need good quality close up of the damaged areas (don't damage it for me!!).

IF that is asbestos board, it would be asbestos insulation board (AIB) which contains brown asbestos. Although no-one can stop you removing it yourself it is a lot more risky a product than asbestos cement which can be removed with minimal issues. I would not suggest you remove it yourself.
HOWEVER, you state that it is shimmering? That indicates to me that it is a vermiculite based insulation board which was introduced to replace asbestos boards so is less likely to be asbestos - it is possible though for two reasons; 1, at one point they did add both vermiculite and asbestos together and 2,  vermiculite can be contaminated with asbestos as where is it mined is often in the same local as asbestos.

ETA: I used to be an asbestos surveyor, fibre counter, bulk analyst.

Danny30

Niv said:

To be clear - I cannot tell from those photos if this is highly likely to be asbestos or not - I would need good quality close up of the damaged areas (don't damage it for me!!).

IF that is asbestos board, it would be asbestos insulation board (AIB) which contains brown asbestos. Although no-one can stop you removing it yourself it is a lot more risky a product than asbestos cement which can be removed with minimal issues. I would not suggest you remove it yourself.
HOWEVER, you state that it is shimmering? That indicates to me that it is a vermiculite based insulation board which was introduced to replace asbestos boards so is less likely to be asbestos - it is possible though for two reasons; 1, at one point they did add both vermiculite and asbestos together and 2,  vermiculite can be contaminated with asbestos as where is it mined is often in the same local as asbestos.

ETA: I used to be an asbestos surveyor, fibre counter, bulk analyst.

Hi, thank you for the reply. I have just called a builder we know saying he thinks it's something called asbestalux substitute and that he is happy to remove it himself for nothing so he doesn't seem concerned. I was thinking more about covering it with plasterboard. What would be your opinion on those options? 

Phil4432

First of all, you need to stop breathing around those holes.  Get an asbestos pro to have a look at it straight away.  DO NOT rely on builders for advice on asbestos.  They rarely know anything about it.
If it is AIB and its high content, you can't move it.  In fact, no one can apart from a licensed asbestos company.  Your regular asbestos local company, can only remove low content asbestos, ie unlicensed.

High content asbestos requires an application from a specialist company, before it can be touched.  Don't try and move anything yourself.  Don't let Bob the builder touch it.  Get an inspection and professional advice.

Niv

Danny30 said:

Niv said:

To be clear - I cannot tell from those photos if this is highly likely to be asbestos or not - I would need good quality close up of the damaged areas (don't damage it for me!!).

IF that is asbestos board, it would be asbestos insulation board (AIB) which contains brown asbestos. Although no-one can stop you removing it yourself it is a lot more risky a product than asbestos cement which can be removed with minimal issues. I would not suggest you remove it yourself.
HOWEVER, you state that it is shimmering? That indicates to me that it is a vermiculite based insulation board which was introduced to replace asbestos boards so is less likely to be asbestos - it is possible though for two reasons; 1, at one point they did add both vermiculite and asbestos together and 2,  vermiculite can be contaminated with asbestos as where is it mined is often in the same local as asbestos.

ETA: I used to be an asbestos surveyor, fibre counter, bulk analyst.

Hi, thank you for the reply. I have just called a builder we know saying he thinks it's something called asbestalux substitute and that he is happy to remove it himself for nothing so he doesn't seem concerned. I was thinking more about covering it with plasterboard. What would be your opinion on those options? 

I am not aware of anything officially being called 'asbestalux substitute' - that is probably just 'builder speak' , asbestalux was a trade name for AIB . However it does fit in with my thought that it could be vermiculite board which is an asbestos substitute. 
The crux to this is; he may not be concerned but if it is asbestos the removal would cause fibre release which is one of the core reasons to have it removed professionally IF it is asbestos. 
Currently you have 2 trades people with 2 differing opinions (both viable), obviously the builders opinion is favorable as it costs you less and the 'issue goes away' (well maybe not..). You really need to be confident in the person that is telling you what it is or is not - I think you may be best to get that test done to be on the safe side because as it stands I would say the material is inconclusive.
On to your actual question though - covering it is fine if you never drill it / damage it / need to access behind it - which includes drilling through the plasterboard layer and into the 'asbestos board'. 
Not a fan of keeping AIB myself so when I had some in the fireplace I had the pro's come round and remove it (yes it was quite expensive and involved a three stage enclosure, but it was in a reachable by small hands position).

Danny30

It has been previously drilled and has been snapped on the bottom. How long after is it still potentially dangerous? 

Homer_home

You can send off for a testing kit so you can test it yourself , if for nothing else then your peace of mind 

Danny30

I've booked for a company to come and test tomorrow morning as don't want to take any unnecessary risks. Will update with the result as and when I get it back. 

Niv

Homer_home said:

You can send off for a testing kit so you can test it yourself , if for nothing else then your peace of mind 

Well, you can sample it yourself. You can't test it yourself.