Broken Asbestos floor tile concerns

FlatFour

Hi,

We're in a rented housing association property.  A few years back an Asbestos survey was done on the HA's initiative.  They identified several asbestos items in the loft, which were removed, and they also identified the floor tiles in the lounge as containing Asbestos.  The report stated these tiles would need to be monitored regularly (they did not) and if they started to break up - which isn't uncommon as they age apparently, the house was built in the 50's - they would need to be removed.

Fast forward a few years and the tiles are starting to break up in places, we can feel the crunching through the carpet (and underlay) as we step in certain areas.  We reported this and, after some delay, they got back to us and what they've asked us to do is quite shocking.  Basically, they've told us to lift the carpet (and underlay) exposing these tiles and to take photos.  Is this safe?  We have quite a detailed report from a few years ago stating that the type of asbestos used in these tiles is ok while they remain intact, but potentially dangerous if said tiles become broken.  So, I'm really surprised they've asked us to personally expose these broken tiles in order to photograph them, surely they should be calling in an expert for this?

Note: the tiles are confirmed as containing asbestos, according to the report, this is not a case of suspected asbestos.  The report did go into details of the specific type of asbestos, which I can't recall off the top of my head, but it's when the tiles start to break up that it's considered dangerous, according to the report.

It's seems there's been quite the lack of urgency from the Housing Association people regarding this, and being asked to expose ourselves directly to asbestos - if we haven't been already through the carpet - is a bit worrying.

My initial thought is that we should push back and refuse to expose ourselves to known broken asbestos-containing tiles in order to get a photo for them.  What do people think?  Has anyone had direct experience with this is in a rented property?

Cheers.

Slithery

Personally I'd just take the photo.

As long as you don't spend all day rolling about in the stuff and snorting lines of it you'll be fine.

The sooner they get the picture the sooner someone will be out to sort it for you.

TheProfessional

A business I am part of has just had an asbestos survey done. Very thorough and used lots of safety processes getting the samples (which turned out positive)
Could you pay for your own report?

Our asbestos is in the tile adhesive and the report says there should be a warning sticker and a 12 monthly check done

HampshireH

There is no risk whilst your carpet is down. As a result there will be no urgency  It's very unusual for tiles to lift under a carpet and underlay and even more unusual to be able to feel them under a well fitted carpet and underlay.

Your HA will not lift your carpet for you as you could put a claim in for then to replace it. 

They certainly wouldn't deteriorate to that extent in just a few years if they were ok then. Unless you have another issue, like significant damp causing them to lift.

I've also never seen tiles in a domestic setting stickered as you would need to sticker every single one.

What is it you want your HA to do? Come and remove your carpet and tiles so you can replace the carpet? This they may do if they are genuinely broken throughout.

They will be wanting to know or sure before they send someone out. Most places are only doing urgent repairs/visits

princeofpounds

I suspect all that is going on here is that they want to be certain there is a problem before they send someone to deal with it, partially for cost reasons and partially for Covid reasons. Asbestos is dangerous, but not THAT dangerous, so they probably aren't thinking too hard about asking you to do this. People talk about it sometimes like it's a contact poison, but it's really not.

You can try one of two things here:

1) Insist that you can feel that the tiles are substantially damaged, and that you will not lift the carpet and expose damaged confirmed asbestos that would be potentially hazardous to your health. Demand - politely - they send for someone with PPE and training. Probably worth a go if you are sure the tiles are damaged, it's not like you'll lose anything.

2) Get a proper dust mask, very gently lift the carpet and underlay back as far as necessary to show a broken tile. Take a photo, very gently roll it back. The practical risk is probably miniscule, as long as you don't send up dust into the air (even then, it's probably not large).

There isn't huge urgency because it's not that urgent - the broken tiles are almost sealed under the carpet and, particularly, the underlay. But you may wish to remind them that you would like the matter to be addressed quickly because the tiles are getting disturbed when you walk on them and they are not fully sealed.

FreeBear

princeofpounds said: 2) Get a proper dust mask, very gently lift the carpet and underlay back as far as necessary to show a broken tile. Take a photo, very gently roll it back. The practical risk is probably miniscule, as long as you don't send up dust into the air (even then, it's probably not large).

Spray the air in the area with a mist of water - The droplets of water will attract any dust & fibre particles and cause them to drop to the ground fairly quickly.

FlatFour

Thanks for the replies

Ok, I've got a dust mask - the same one I use when drilling / sanding / grinding etc. so hopefully that will be sufficient.  I'll then take extra care when lifting the carpet and take a photo or two.

@Slithery - thank you specifically for your advice, I had indeed planned to snort some to see if it gave a decent high.  I will refrain from doing that now of course, though I might still roll in it a *little* bit...while holding my breath

Joking aside, most mention of asbestos seems to give dire warnings of the potential danger if it's disturbed / damaged.  I remember multiple buildings in my School getting cordoned off for weeks because they found some asbestos - they were some of the newer buildings too...not old ones from before the 1980's.