Window Sill - Asbestos? How to 'make good'?

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Advice please...

Renovating bathroom in a 1970s semi, taking tiles off the sill brought up chunks of plaster and cracked the rest.

So I've taken the rest of the plaster up leaving what looks like a bed of mortar. This is also cracked, but after knocking a couple of loose bits out of the way, noticed the white fibrous board shown in the close up...

I've used the dreaded 'A' word, no scientific evidence, but given the appearance and some mentions of asbestos boards being used as general packing around that era have assumed the worst.

My question is what can/should I do?! I don't mind leaving it in but would want to make the sill solid before tiling over, so any ideas on that welcome

Thx
 
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Just cover it all up with lots of lovely fresh plaster.

I suspected that would be the suggestion! Any thoughts on 'stabilising' what's there? I might just be paranoid but was thinking it might be a bit of a pain if there's still movement there and it cracks the grouting on the shelf regularly...

(I tend to over-think things!)
 
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Its a commonplace that finished tile is only as good as its background but you only have a small area to remedy so Gripfill etc (but not foam) would do the trick.
You could: Skim a little cementitious tile adhesive into the patches (use it as a filler) and force it into the cracks - allow it to dry then begin tiling.

FWIW: Perhaps clean off all the remaining tile adhesive from around the bath tub and below the window before doing anything else.

If the gypsum plaster skim over the blockwork is actually hollow or loose then come back here.

Stuff paper into the hot and cold basin supply pipes or debris might enter.

If there is any sign of rust in the angle bead on the sill then the a/bead must come out.
 
if and thats a BIG 'IF' it is asbestos. And you suspect possible further cracks. Use asbestostrip which can be diluted in water and sprayed on. The asbestos will abosrb it and reduce possible harm by fibres (cant remember how but) maybe by making them heavier and not possible to become airborne. Other solutions just coat the outside and are floored from the outset. e.g if that coating cracks or breaksdown.

The solutuion (originally developed by BP) works by being soaking into the fibres.

For the cracks.. i'd use cheap resin mortar although with my destructive perfectionist nature would no doubt knock off all the cracked bits off and start a fresh.

You know you could always bag a sample and get it sent for analysys. Dont htink it costs much. You could even ask somebody to quote on removal and they may do the analysys for free.
 
Use asbestostrip which can be diluted in water and sprayed on. The asbestos will abosrb it and reduce possible harm by fibres

You could even ask somebody to quote on removal and they may do the analysys for free.

The risk of fibre release from asbestos cement sheet is very low. Even less when the sheet is b actually inside a wall.

It's unnecessary to test this, or treat it, or remove it in this location. Or even worry about it.
 
Looking at the photo again.. I'd agree it does look like asbestos cement board that may have delaminated. I hadn't spotted before hence why i said "if it is asbestos." So Woody's right on three counts..
1) when encapsulated it poses no harm.
2) it doesent need a survey to diagnose.
3) It doesent need and is best not to remove. In fact removal would make it worse.
However where i would beg to differ is that given where the crack points are around it, then it has broken down to some degree. Therefore fibres (if detached) would have become airborne at time of disruption of the area. and will therefore be around the area...
The following is taken from http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/hsl_pdf/2007/hsl0711.pdf
**********
2.4 Effects of mechanical breakage
Any physical breaking and cracking of asbestos cement material exerts high
mechanical forces to the fracture surface and tends to pull out asbestos fibres and
bundles, thus making them more able to become airborne.
***********


It's up to the OP if they want to take the risk of the same. Admittedly the risk is minimal compared to where it is found in other forms..
Personally i find that teaching people to be complacent with regards any form of asbestos dangerous at best.

Garuff.. I'll happily send you some solution FOC for you to mix up and spray around the area just pm me your address.
 

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