Asbestos in plaster

[Daisy1996]

Hi, we have an ex council house built 1950-1966ish, it desperately needs replastering as a lot of the plaster has blown and is cracking. Reading on line it suggested plaster of that time could contain asbestos. Has anyone come across it? Of course I’ll get a sample tested before any is removed but was just trying to guage the likelihood of it.

We did have some plaster removed in a downstairs room last year which contained what looked like hair. I sent a piece of this off and it came back negative for asbestos but reading online has me a little worried other rooms could contain it.

 

[Deluks]

Unlikely really.

 

[opps]

Not my area of expertise... but... I thought it was artex which (once) had asbestos rather than plaster.

 

[Daisy1996]

Thank you for replying. I’m getting very mixed messages reading online. The plasterer I’ve spoken to doesn’t seem too bothered infact he said don’t bother testing

 

[Phil473]

Online research will usually be mixed, IME most tradespeople don't seem to care about asbestos. 'Don't bother testing,' is quite frankly ignorant advice.

Diagrams showing where asbestos can occur in buildings - HSE

Asbestos can be found in any industrial or residential building built or refurbished before the year 2000.

www.hse.gov.uk

Only an asbestos company can comment on asbestos. Getting someone to come round, take a sample and advise is worth it. I do that before every big job, following a very bad experience with a heating installation.

If your plaster has asbestos, it is most probably the low content type and only a hazard if disturbed. So just get someone to come round and sample it.

 

[Daisy1996]

Thanks for the replies. I’ve sent this sample off to be tested. It looked like there was 3 layers yellow, grey and pink. The sample I had tested last year didn’t have the grey layer so I’m now a little worried. This was taken from a corner next to a chimney if that makes any difference? There was never an open fire in the room just a chimney stack from downstairs up into the loft

 

[opps]

Online research will usually be mixed, IME most tradespeople don't seem to care about asbestos. 'Don't bother testing,' is quite frankly ignorant advice.

Diagrams showing where asbestos can occur in buildings - HSE

Asbestos can be found in any industrial or residential building built or refurbished before the year 2000.

www.hse.gov.uk

Only an asbestos company can comment on asbestos. Getting someone to come round, take a sample and advise is worth it. I do that before every big job, following a very bad experience with a heating installation.

If your plaster has asbestos, it is most probably the low content type and only a hazard if disturbed. So just get someone to come round and sample it.

With respect, your link does not mention asbestos in plaster. Clicking through the other links, there is mention of asbestos in finishes (eg Artex).

 

[Phil473]

With respect, your link does not mention asbestos in plaster. Clicking through the other links, there is mention of asbestos in finishes (eg Artex).

True, though I think artex was sometimes on walls.

 

[opps]

Thank you for replying. I’m getting very mixed messages reading online. The plasterer I’ve spoken to doesn’t seem too bothered infact he said don’t bother testing

If they are simply applying PVA over the plater and then skimming it, I don't see what the risk to them is. knocking off high spots on the ceiling- that is a different matter- that said, as previously suggested,it would be a significantly less dangerous asbesto- that said, there is no "good" level.

 

[Daisy1996]

If they are simply applying PVA over the plater and then skimming it, I don't see what the risk to them is. knocking off high spots on the ceiling- that is a different matter- that said, as previously suggested,it would be a significantly less dangerous asbesto- that said, there is no "good" level.

The original plaster on the wall is coming away so needs removing and re plastering. It concerned me there was 3 layers to this sample whereas the last one that was negative didn’t have the thin grey cement looking layer

 

[opps]

True, though I think artex was sometimes on walls.

Yeah, correct. The plasterers that I knew would just skim over it.

I am not intentionally making light of the dangers of asbestos. Blue- yup super, super evil. White, steer clear. Brown, (often used in corrugated roofs)- soak it first to dampen the fibres.

I grew up in a time when you could buy 5 star petrol. I slightly missed the coal gas period.

My lungs are a bit pants- largely my fault- I smoked for over 35 years. I even smoked whilst using 2k (isocyanide based paints).

Something is going to kill me- probably an ex, but I don't think ripping down a few ceilings will be high on my post mortem report.

Ultimately, occupational exposure is critical. I can do something once or twice, and on the balance of probability, I will be OK. If i do it day in day out, a different kettle of fish.

 

[CountryFan]

I’ve had plenty of asbestos training and we have been told previously that it can be in walls/plaster. Only way to know 100% is to have it tested, although as per @Deluks it’s unlikely. I work in social housing and don’t recall it being in any of ours, some artex however does contain the material.