Asbestos Tiles And Fitting A Conservatory

[EViS]

We would like to install a conservatory on the rear of the house. However the upstairs is clad in asbestos tiles (see below photo) which also doesn't create a completely flush wall for the conservatory lean-to roof to fix to.

We are hesitant to drill or cut into the tiles to fix the conservatory frame, what are our options here to create a weatherproof connection between the existing house and new conservatory?

Untitled

• EViS
• 16 Mar 2012
• 1

 

[^woody^]

There is no option really other than removing the tiles and fixing the roof to the main structure, and then flashing and sealing it all back up.

This will lead to problems with working with the tiles - ie H&S and lawfullness for the company to do this

If you want to bodge it, then its a case of leaving the tiles and using flexible flashing tape (ie Flashband) between the roof and tiles. But rain could get behind the tiles and into the conservatory

 

[EViS]

Thanks for that woody, its exactly what I thought needs to be done. As opposed to then cutting the removed tiles to fit back around the conservatory roof (further H&S issues) and over the flashing, maybe clad these small sections with treated softwood or uPVC?

 

[tim00]

I wouldn't be unduly worried about the asbestos in the cladding tiles -typically, remove them with a slate hook and re-fix any making good as you would say, Eternit fibre cement tile. Marley also do a fibre cement cladding.
My take on this kind of thing for a one-off job is that you would have to eat the stuff to become ill.
Adopt the usual safety precautions: dont create dust, scribe and snap, or nibble away, and be responsible with the disposal - seal in double bags.
Thing is, with a conservatory in-situ and fragile ( painted ?) material above, you might be giving yourself future maintenance, access difficulties.

If you remove the whole upper rear elevation of cladding then your new material might have difficulties in matching up to any neighbour's cladding and tieing in to your upper frames. Plus, what is the background to the cladding - batten on brick, concrete panels or timber frame?