Asbestos In My Loft?

[Tozzy]

Hi,
I plan to board over the joists in my loft, and while I was measuring up, I noticed what appears to be asbestos, but I'm not entirely sure if it is or not. If it is, should I be concerned? All my upstairs ceilings have an artex effect by the way, but whether they contain asbestos or not, I have no idea. House was built (or better to say thrown up!) in the 1920s (by a man called Jack!)

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• Tozzy
• 11 Mar 2014
• 1

 

[tony1851]

That picture looks like something they've unearthed on 'Time Team'.

 

[Tozzy]

That picture looks like something they've unearthed on 'Time Team'.

Haha you should see the wiring up there too (ok a bit off topic I know)!

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• Tozzy
• 11 Mar 2014
• 1

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• Tozzy
• 11 Mar 2014
• 1

But, I am a bit worried if it is asbestos as I've got to work up there at some point. If it is, I suppose I'll just have to be careful and not disturb it, but I was just curious to see what you guys thought.

 

[tony1851]

But, I am a bit worried if it is asbestos

Hard to tell from that pic but - on balance - it is unlikely to be asbestos.
You could only tell definitively by testing, but that co£ts.
If in doubt, why not lightly damp down with a fine mist, get a decent mask etc, and put it carefully in bin liners yourself?

 

[Tozzy]

But, I am a bit worried if it is asbestos

Hard to tell from that pic but - on balance - it is unlikely to be asbestos.
You could only tell definitively by testing, but that co£ts.
If in doubt, why not lightly damp down with a fine mist, get a decent mask etc, and put it carefully in bin liners yourself?

Hi Tony,

I just can't think what else it could be. On the far side of the loft under the insulation there are laths so it would be common to assume that the plaster underneath is stuck to that (old fashioned lath and plaster method), but would you stick plaster to asbestos panels? Hmmm. They're definitely not there as being stored because they'd be stacked. From what I can make out, they are actually sitting ON the plastered ceiling. I'm not too bothered about moving it though if i can simply board over it. It's not going to affect anyone, if it's covered.