Asbestos in roof space

moneysaver

Hi,

     looking for opinions on asbestos found in a roof space. I am viewing houses in Scotland, had a look at one the other day, it has possibilities but got the home report and it has one category 3 on it and the surveyor stated,

" The categorization applied to this section relates to the presence of broken sheets of asbestos which are supporting the ridge plate in the roof void. This is a potential hazard and the appropriate specialist work should be undertaken for it's removal. A quote for these works has been obtained and is appended in this this home report"

The quoted work seems to be encapsulation of asbestos packers within roof void using ET150 encapsulation paint.

Environmental clean of any debris located in close proximity of the asbestos packers(max 2M)

The work would be completed by a registered specialist company.

It seems the surveyor recommends removal but the quote is for encapsulation at a cost of £420.

The house was built approx 50yrs ago. It seems on talking to estate agent the vendor wants the buyer to pay for the works after they have moved in. Would this be an issue if a mortgage was to be obtained for this property?

Anyone got experience with this & should I be worried if I were to proceed with this house.

Thanks

Moneysaver

user1977

It's not a situation I can remember dealing with, but given the modest cost I doubt a lender would be too bothered about it.

Then again, if that's the only similar point ot note in the Home Report, I'm not sure why a seller wouldn't have just sorted it out before marketing.

moneysaver

user1977 said:

It's not a situation I can remember dealing with, but given the modest cost I doubt a lender would be too bothered about it.

Then again, if that's the only similar point ot note in the Home Report, I'm not sure why a seller wouldn't have just sorted it out before marketing.

Thanks for reply. It's more than the cost for me, the surveyor recommends removal but the quote is to cover it up, seems like the vendor is getting a quote for the cheapest option, not necessarily the safest option.

Makes me nervous when it has been highlighted on the home report.

Just wondering if anyone knows about the risk & can it be expensive to remove rather than cover up.

The house has other things needing attention but not as serious as this.

Moneysaver

BlueVeranda

Our surveyor was very cautious in his approach to asbestos and flagged it up as high priority to remove. I believe his explanation was that nobody in future will want to deal with it so it needs taken out. We decided that we would do so as and when those areas come up for renovation. But the key difference is that your boards are broken so you will need to do something about that, whether it is removal or encapsulation. Would you be looking to do any other work on the roof after completion? As it may need to be removed in any case if you do.

moneysaver

BlueVeranda said:

Our surveyor was very cautious in his approach to asbestos and flagged it up as high priority to remove. I believe his explanation was that nobody in future will want to deal with it so it needs taken out. We decided that we would do so as and when those areas come up for renovation. But the key difference is that your boards are broken so you will need to do something about that, whether it is removal or encapsulation. Would you be looking to do any other work on the roof after completion? As it may need to be removed in any case if you do.

I would not be doing any roofing work but a bit of cosmetic work inside the house. As stated above, it seems strange the vendor is expecting the buyer to deal with it along with the other less serious things, broken tap in bathroom, no handle on kitchen window etc.

I am  seeking advice as to what is the best way the asbestos issue should be handled. I am not overly committed to the house but it has potential as it is in a good street in the area I am after.

doodling

Hi,

What sort of boards are they?

If it is asbestos cement then it could be a DIY job - read the material on the HSE website.  If it is something else then it could require a specialist contractor at significant cost.

With asbestos, the type of asbestos and its encapsulation have a massive effect on the level of risk - understand what you have and the likely precautions required and the scale and cost of the job will become clear.

moneysaver

doodling said:

Hi,

What sort of boards are they?

If it is asbestos cement then it could be a DIY job - read the material on the HSE website.  If it is something else then it could require a specialist contractor at significant cost.

With asbestos, the type of asbestos and its encapsulation have a massive effect on the level of risk - understand what you have and the likely precautions required and the scale and cost of the job will become clear.

Not sure what type of asbestos, surveyor has recommended removal  so I don't think it is DIY. The quote seems to be for encapsulation probably the cheapest option not necessarily the safest option.

Moneysaver

user1977

moneysaver said:

doodling said:

Hi,

What sort of boards are they?

If it is asbestos cement then it could be a DIY job - read the material on the HSE website.  If it is something else then it could require a specialist contractor at significant cost.

With asbestos, the type of asbestos and its encapsulation have a massive effect on the level of risk - understand what you have and the likely precautions required and the scale and cost of the job will become clear.

Not sure what type of asbestos, surveyor has recommended removal  so I don't think it is DIY. The quote seems to be for encapsulation probably the cheapest option not necessarily the safest option.

It's safe enough if encapsulated, the (current) hazard is the fact that the boards are broken so asbestos fibres are potentially airborne. You can always get a quote for removal if you prefer.

sheramber

It is the vendors choice to sell the house 'as seen'.

If you arrange  the work yourself you know it was done to your satisfaction.

You have no control over the standard of work if it is arranged  by the vendor

FreeBear

Personally, I'd look at the boards being removed - When you come to sell, that will be one less item for the next buyer to worry about.

I'm slowly removing potential asbestos containing materials (Artex), and have an old back boiler to rip out at some stage. Whilst none of it is an immediate threat to health, a surveyor can find something else to pick fault with if/when this place gets sold.

TY91

Did you have an asbestos survey or just a home buyers? If its just a home buyers which is what it sounds like then id have the material tested first to make sure it is actually asbestos. Home Buyers Surveyors are renowned for assuming the worst to cover themselves. 

Id either get an asbestos survey or use an asbestos testing kit to take a small sample of the sheet.