asbestos

[con1_uk]

I think I may have some asbestos in my house.

I removed some cladding in the hall way and then striped some wallpaper off then I cam across what I think is asbestos. I have a few questions

How do I tell if it is asbestos?

How dangerous is it?

Can I remove it in one piece?

Can I take it to the tip?


Thanks,

I can provide pics if required.

 

[markie]

I know that you can't take it to the tip, so if it is abestos phone your local council and ask them where the nearist place you can off load it. And you must double bag it.

I had corragated abestos sheeting on an old garage roof and had to break it up ( mask ) then double bag it, then hired a skip ( had to imform them ) so they could take it to the right place.

 

[kevplumb]

hired a skip

 

[markie]

hired a skip

What are you laughing at

Or is it order a skip.

 

[JohnD]

What makes you think it is asbestos?

Is it a hard, brittle, greyish-white board? Or fluffy insulation? Or pipe-lagging?

How old is your house (or was it converted from a factory or ship?)

 

[con1_uk]

Its like a hard thin board in the hall which we are making bigger its a wall and if built now would use plasterboard.


looks a bit like the old garage roofs but not corregated.

My house is 1900's mid terraced and the hall has not always been there I think it ran the full length of the front room originaly.

 

[JohnD]

Might be Asbestolux cement/asbestos board or something?

Don't scrape it.

Check your council's website or ask for a leaflet. they will have advice on removing it as well as safe disposal arrangements. It will say things like keep it damp (so no dust) and don't smash or saw it, and wipe up the bits with a damp cloth and seal it in a plastic bag for disposal.

They will also say it is safer left undisturbed.

 

[^woody^]

Any such board used before 1970 is most likely asbestos cement. Between 1970 and 1980 possibly, after 1980 most likely asbestos free. One can only tell for sure by looking at a sample under a microscope. Typically asbestos board is at least 1/4 inch thick, but asbestos free board is slightly thinner (5mm or 3/ eigths) - but this is only a rough guide.

Unless you are disturbing it, then it is OK if left. Minor drilling should be OK (damp it first) but cutting and sanding should be avoided.

You local council may collect it, or may accept it at the tip. You need to check with them.

I can't be certain, but IIRC, small amounts of asbestos cement board is OK for landfill ie can go in a skip and does not require specialist disposal. But confirm this first - wrongful disposal carries serious penalties. Other asbestos products must be specially disposed of.

 

[con1_uk]

Thanks for all your advise

I will ring the council on Tuesday and check with them.


Thanks.

 

[con1_uk]

Rang the council and they said it will be ok at the tip.

Its about 8 foot tall give or take some and 3 foot wide so here is my plan.

1 Wear a good mask and ventilate the room (Asbestos is right near front door)

2 remove all the surrounding wood work carefully

3 remove asbestos board (maybe 2 boards)

4 bag up using loads of bags and tape

5 take to tip and inform them it is asbestos

6 clear the area where the asbestos was properly (Is it ok to use my normal hoover)


Does this sound like a plan? If in any way I should not be moving this stuff please tell me.

Thanks for all you help so far.

 

[Maxxy]

No dont use your normal hoover or you may have to dispose of it too. You can also buy special filters for hoovering asbestos, as i think most hoover filters wont catch it all.

 

[JohnD]

Put a plastic dust sheet down first.

Mop up dust and bits with a wet rag and put them in sealed plastic bags.

I would hesitate to use a hoover as it blows dust out in the exhaust.
If you do, I would wet and wrap the dust bag after, and wipe down the inside of the casing with your damp rag.

 

[con1_uk]

Wont use the hoover then ta

I dont think it will create much dust as it will all be in one piece hopefully.

However at the bottom it has cracked off, I think the bottom is a seperate section to the main 8 foot bit.

 

[rangersman]

Have you tried getting a quote from a specialist asbestos removal company? Allows you to clear the house and get them to remove it, and clear up after themseves.

Just a thought as I wouldn't take on asbestos myself!

 

[Nige F]

For what those bastards charge I`d do it and get the air fare to Aus thrown in or Definitely not hoover damp dust as John says and rags in bin after