Removal of Asbestos (Artex) from inside Garage Ceiling?

lokz

Hello all,

As part of my garage conversion research, I understand that my garage ceiling might contain Asbestos, as it is 1960's built.

I am thinking of getting a survey which after enquiring costing around 240. But the thing worries me is the cost to get the ceiling removed if it has asbestos. (18 sq meter ceiling ). From research i am finding it between 2000 - 3000 GBP? . Does it really cost that much?

Any alternatives to the removal ?

Some pics if its helpful.

Robin9

My 1973 garage ceiling had a similar looking board.  My builder met my local council and it was found to be a proprietary board - cement board ?    and not asbestos.

We were keeping the garage but want insulation under the lounge above - the board came down and we stuffed the joists with fibreglass and then two overlapping layers of plaster board.

You could send a sample away for testing if you wanted to.

danrv

Artex is usually a textured coating but that doesn't look like it there.
Maybe a more subtle finish. 

FreeBear

Depends on the type of material. Asbestos containing cement board is a relatively low risk material and can be disposed of fairly cheaply. If it is a high asbestos content material, it needs to be handled correctly, so that entails sealing off the work area, appropriate PPE, and safe (costly) disposal of the waste. The work would need to be carried out by a licenced contractor, so £2K-3K wouldn't be outlandish.

Artex can be DIY removed using something like X-Tex - Wear appropriate PPE, and double bag the waste. As it is a "wet" process, there won't be any release of dust into the air and is reasonably safe.

The only way to know what type of material is there is to get it tested. You can post samples off for testing for a small fee (£50-100 ?), or pay for someone to come round and take samples.

gerdo

Could you just leave it there and board it over and then plaster?

Bigphil1474

I wouldn't pay for a survey as such - you think it might be asbestos so just get a sample tested. I've come across a lot of garages with cement panel roofing that contains asbestos but never seen one with an interior ceiling containing asbestos, not that they couldn't exist of course. I wouldn't assume it is asbestos ceiling just because it's a 1960's build - the ceiling may have been put in later, but your sample test will tell you one way or another what's in it.

The problem with interior asbestos containing material removal is that the asbestos company would normally need to remove it under controlled conditions, which is expensive. If they were doing the outer roof, the same conditions don't apply, and it can just be removed and disposed off properly.

Personally, I'd get a sample tested, and if it does contain asbestos think of a way around having it removed. You could board over it, get it skimmed or sealed. To me, the choice would depend on the reason for the conversion.