Asbestos in 1960s house

35har1old

Catbells said:

A young family member bought a 60s house 18 months ago and is doing it up so she can work from home.  Asbestos has been found in several places  - ie walls and ceiling.  Asbestos tiles are on the floor too which will get walked on so I'm wondering if she should get these removed before she has vinyl laid on top.  She's been told asbestos is very widespread and to remove all of it would be hugely expensive and best thing to do is to leave it undisturbed.   I feel she should at least have the floor tiles removed.   What is the best approach to take?  Thanks. 

https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos

It could be in any house built up to 2000

Section62

35har1old said:

Catbells said:

A young family member bought a 60s house 18 months ago and is doing it up so she can work from home.  Asbestos has been found in several places  - ie walls and ceiling.  Asbestos tiles are on the floor too which will get walked on so I'm wondering if she should get these removed before she has vinyl laid on top.  She's been told asbestos is very widespread and to remove all of it would be hugely expensive and best thing to do is to leave it undisturbed.   I feel she should at least have the floor tiles removed.   What is the best approach to take?  Thanks. 

https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos

It could be in any house built up to 2000

There's nothing (except common sense) stopping keen DIYers using bits of asbestos containing materials in their homes regardless of when they were built. It is also possible unaware handypeople could unlawfully use second-hand asbestos containing materials in any property.

You'd hope they wouldn't, but it shouldn't be assumed asbestos won't be found in a post-2000 house and caution is still advised when any article which could be asbestos (containing) material needs to be worked on.

GDB2222

I don't think there's much point in plastering over Artex because it's asbestos. Do plaster over it if you don't like the look of Artex. But plastering obviously doesn't remove the asbestos. So, for example, if you drill holes in the ceiling for downlighters, you'll still get much the same amount of asbestos as if it were not plastered.

I'm probably the last person in the country who likes Artex! But, it will come back into fashion again one day. Probably not in my lifetime.

Phil4432

GDB2222 said:

I don't think there's much point in plastering over Artex because it's asbestos. Do plaster over it if you don't like the look of Artex. But plastering obviously doesn't remove the asbestos. So, for example, if you drill holes in the ceiling for downlighters, you'll still get much the same amount of asbestos as if it were not plastered.

I'm probably the last person in the country who likes Artex! But, it will come back into fashion again one day. Probably not in my lifetime.

You can board over it, but that doesn't get rid of the asbestos.  

If I were to deal with the artex in my home, Id take out the plasterboards and replace with new.

Bear in mind artex is low content, you'd probably have to sand a considerable portion of a ceiling and inhale the dust, to potentially get asbestosis.

But with these asbestos questions, you ultimately need professional advice.

Section62

Phil4432 said:

Bear in mind artex is low content, you'd probably have to sand a considerable portion of a ceiling and inhale the dust, to potentially get asbestosis.

One of the problems with artex is people assuming it is low asbestos content.  Without having it tested there is no way of knowing this.  Textured coatings could be mixed on site with the absestos content controlled by the operative.  Needless to say, the content could vary from nearly nothing to far too much.

Even with very low asbestos content, sanding an asbestos-containing material is an exceptionally bad idea. In principle it can take just one fibre to cause an asbestos-related disease.

Phil4432 said:

But with these asbestos questions, you ultimately need professional advice.

Absolutely, there is far too much poor advice on the internet.  E.g. No asbestos professional will recommend sanding an asbestos-containing material.

FreeBear

Section62 said: Even with very low asbestos content, sanding an asbestos-containing material is an exceptionally bad idea. In principle it can take just one fibre to cause an asbestos-related disease.

Sanding most (any) surface without adequate PPE is a bad idea. Dust in the lungs can lead to all sorts of long term health problems.

Phil4432

FreeBear said:

Section62 said: Even with very low asbestos content, sanding an asbestos-containing material is an exceptionally bad idea. In principle it can take just one fibre to cause an asbestos-related disease.

Sanding most (any) surface without adequate PPE is a bad idea. Dust in the lungs can lead to all sorts of long term health problems.

That's very true, but though I'd be ok with quickly walking through the house with a little bit of sawdust on me and vacuuming later, unless someone has the professional training they shouldn't be tampering with asbestos in any way.

Just adding to what you are saying, not contradicting.

Asbestos is a problem, as many houses have it and most new homeowners don't know of its presence, least of all how to deal with it.  Same with lead paint.