Asbestos in ceiling?

[Beansbaked]

Hi, we live in a ex council house built late 1940-1950s. It has a coal shed/ toilet built on the side. The roof is flat, there’s no corrugated sheeting. The roofs been leaking and a huge part of the ceiling fell away It left behind what looked like a mortar mix and a metal grid. There was some visible white “hairs” about an inch long, almost like cat hair. The leak and the ceilings been fixed but since googling I’m wondering if it was likely to have contained asbestos in the mortar mix? I’m really worried as we did this ourselves as a diy project. I know it was a stupid idea.

 

[Tigercubrider]

Doubt it but for peace of mind a test is cheap.
It’s probably animal hair that was used for strengthening the mortar

 

[Beansbaked]

Thank you, a builder came out last week and re boarded and plastered it. I’m worrying myself sick over it though I know there’s nothing that can be done

 

[Tigercubrider]

If it IS asbestos, (not likely) then it’s now enclosed.
No need to worry unless you drill into it and breathe in

 

[Beansbaked]

This is the only photo I have of before which isn’t great. I’ve promised hubby no more DIY.

 

[Beansbaked]

I’ve done some more research today and I’m convinced it’s asbestos. The white fibres weren’t clumped together like photos on google show for horse hair. I’m absolutely devastated

 

[Beansbaked]

Any other thoughts from anyone?

 

[endecotp]

Any other thoughts from anyone?

They say you should never google symptoms when you feel unwell because The Internet will tell you that you’ve got a rare incurable cancer. Go to the doctor who will tell you that it’s the same flu that everyone else has this week.

Same applies to asbestos. You’ve “done some research” and now you’re “absolutely devastated”. Sorry about that, but don’t believe everything you read on the internet.

You do still have the option of testing, if it would make you feel better.

FWIW, I very much doubt you have any asbestos.

 

[Beansbaked]

Thank you for your reply. If it was your house and you’d pulled the ceiling down and found that would you even think about it being asbestos? Am I completely over thinking this?

 

[endecotp]

If it was your house and you’d pulled the ceiling down and found that would you even think about it being asbestos?

I don’t know what I would do in your house.

Am I completely over thinking this?

Yes?

 

[^woody^]

There was some visible white “hairs” about an inch long

You can't see asbestos fibres without a very good microscope.

In any case, asbestos was not used in the location you describe on council housing, and was not used in mortar anywhere.

 

[Beansbaked]

You can't see asbestos fibres without a very good microscope.

In any case, asbestos was not used in the location you describe on council housing, and was not used in mortar anywhere.

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately I’ve fallen headfirst into google over this. I’ve read on a few websites that mortar/cement (I don’t know the difference) which shows small individual white hairs contained asbestos.

I know nothing about this only what I’ve read that’s why I thought I’d come on here and ask anyone who works in this industry who knows more about it than a silly anxious woman who thinks google knows everything.

Can I ask why you say asbestos wasn’t used in the ceiling of the outhouse? Please don’t think I’m being rude with that question

 

[endecotp]

I’ve fallen headfirst into google over this.

You need an internet-free weekend. Turn your phone off and go for a long walk by the sea, or something.

 

[Deluks]

Turn your phone off and go for a long walk by the sea, or something.

...or put up your feet and watch a bit of telly.

 

[Phil473]

Get it tested. Air test also for your reassurance, stay out of there until then. Problem solved.