Is it possible to remove just part of an asbestos ceiling?

J2637

I've got a problem with a leaking pipe, and I am wondering if it would be cheaper to try and access it through the garage ceiling instead of breaking tiles/wood in the bathroom.

I think the ceiling could be asbestos.  It has panels of about 1m x 2m, which look like they are nailed in.

Is it possible to remove just one ceiling panel, using an asbestos specialist company?

Any recommendations for good asbestos removal companies? (central/south)

Thanks very much.

sammyjammy

Definitely doable but you run the risk that the remaining boards get disturbed in the process so am not sure I'd want to be responsible for the potential consequences.

J2637

Thank you sammyjammy, it's a tough situation with asbestos. Ideally it'd be great to take out one board, fix the pipe, then put a nontoxic board back in. But if as you say the remaining boards get disturbed, then I would have to budget for removing all of them, and of course I would have to actually know that the remaining boards were disturbed, i.e. I can't put myself in a situation where I think everything is OK but somehow the remaining boards are now not safe.

DullGreyGuy

Ask them to quote for both... the cost differential may not be that much. They'd normally test first anyway and you may find they're not asbestos 

J2637

Thanks DullGreyGuy, good idea. I hope testing won't cost too much!  I'll also have to think of the cost of putting the new ceiling panel (or whole ceiling) in, which it seems these removal companies don't do.

I'm searching for asbestos removal companies, and so many have cookie cutter websites. Any recommendations for companies very welcome.

Section62

J2637 said:

Thanks DullGreyGuy, good idea. I hope testing won't cost too much!  I'll also have to think of the cost of putting the new ceiling panel (or whole ceiling) in, which it seems these removal companies don't do.

I'm searching for asbestos removal companies, and so many have cookie cutter websites. Any recommendations for companies very welcome.

Contact your local council (or look on their website) to see what recommendations they have. Also try neighbouring council areas if no joy with your local one.  They have an interest in encouraging people to use bona fide companies (who won't flytip).

A significant part of the cost of asbestos removal is in 'establishment' - i.e. travel to site, setting things up, clear up, travel to the tip/depot. So as DullGreyGuy says, get a quote for full removal (after positive testing) as well as just removing what you need.

To comply with building regulations you will need to replace the removed area with an equally good (or better) level of fire resistance.  For this reason it may also be beneficial getting the whole ceiling done as trying to fill a 'hole' working around adjacent asbestos materials is not straightforward.

Do get some testing done before making a decision.  Garage ceilings were often done using AIB, which has a higher asbestos content than asbestos cement and the edges of the sheets are more likely to crumble/break.  If it is AIB then full removal would be the better idea.

J2637

Thank you Section62, that all makes a lot of sense.  I have just emailed my local council asking them for recommendations. 

I see, so AIB means full removal would be best.

I can also see how working around a hole could be difficult for replacement.

I wonder what kind of company I should be searching for to put a new ceiling in - a general building company maybe.

DullGreyGuy

J2637 said:

Thanks DullGreyGuy, good idea. I hope testing won't cost too much!  I'll also have to think of the cost of putting the new ceiling panel (or whole ceiling) in, which it seems these removal companies don't do.

I'm searching for asbestos removal companies, and so many have cookie cutter websites. Any recommendations for companies very welcome.

You probably wouldn't want them to put up the new ceiling... their hourly rate is notably higher because of the fact they're dealing with hazardaze materials and the extra training etc. Would most likely be cheaper to split the job and get a regular crew to fit the replacement.

J2637

Thank you DullGreyGuy, I will look for a separate company for putting a new ceiling in. It makes sense the asbestos company are going to have a pricier hourly rate.

Eldi_Dos

If you do replace the ceiling make note of pipe runs and location of joins for future reference.

J2637

Such a good idea Eldi-Dos, will do.