asbestos in loft

[richm77]

hi,

having recently qualified for free insulation, the installers came out this wk but after a quick loft inspection, said they would not be able to insulate the loft due to some unidentifiable asbestos covering around a flue. They also said they wont return until this is resolved one way or another.

My question is what do i do now? I have called the council and they say it is nothing to with them, any idea on cost of getting this identified and then removed if need be?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Burnerman]

Specialist firms will be happy to do this for you but the cost will be high.....is this product wrapped around a galvanised pipe or something?
John

 

[richm77]

Specialist firms will be happy to do this for you but the cost will be high.....is this product wrapped around a galvanised pipe or something?
John

thanx John, its wrapped around a gas flue, and the loft installers were unsure what type it was, hence them abandining the job.

Any further help much appreciated, cheers.

 

[lfnfan]

first a disclaimer: I'm not an expert and certainly not licensed to do anything to asbestos.

I've been quoted £800 plus VAT for removal of 4metres of chrysotile asbestos cement flue, and 25 sq metres of chrysotile asbestos cement panel (shed) from my property. By a well-known licensed national firm.

If you wanted to know what material you are dealing with, you would need to have a specialist come and take a sample of the material and get it analysed at an accredited laboratory and report back. Would need to get quotes for that job I guess.

If it turns out to be chrysotile asbestos cement, I believe that it's not necessary to be licensed in order to remove it if you wanted to go DIY, but you would need to tick all the Council boxes for the final disposal of the material at an approved site. As well as taking all necessary precautions to protect yourself and the immediate environment at the time of removal from the loft.

It may be cheaper for you to have the material (if it turns out to be asbestos) managed 'in situ' (eg painted over or otherwise 'sealed'). Then you just have to convince the insulation installers to come back, not panic, and just install the insulation and not knock/chip/dislodge/crumble or otherwise disturb the asbestos.

 

[keel]

Can you remove it yourself without drilling it? If so damp it down,wear a dust mask and remove it. Double bag it and take it to council tip they don't charge. If house is later than circa 1976 it is unlikely to be asbestos.