Disturbed asbestos

[Robinsnest6]

I

 

[Tigercubrider]

The risk is tiny
You’d do more damage to health by doing anything than leaving it alone

Artex had hardly any asbestos and it’s safe where it is. Worst case some duct tape over the damage is good enough. DO NOT vacuum any dust. Simply mop it up with a damp cloth and stick it in a poly bag in the bin.

Don’t worry - it would need long term exposure to the dust.
I expect that the removal company may steam it off.

 

[endecotp]

The person I spoke to on the phone seemed to think it would be fine to stay here until we get them removed

Listen to the expert.

 

[Phil473]

I have artex celings, they're fine as long as they aren't disturbed.
Can you post pics?

My understanding is that you fill in hairline cracks with a filler, and paint over normally. That's what a company told me anyway.

Could be that the plasterboard itself beneath the artex, isn't stable enough for skimming. Had a leak in my garage, a company removed the plasterboard itself with the artex. My neighbour had his whole house done this way, which was an expensive option and damaged a few lights. So an electrician had to come in afterwards. He said on reflection, he'd rather have just painted them over and saved the cash, as I chose.

So you have to make up your mind on this, to be honest it would have been better to have it done before moving in. If I ever get the artex removed I'll store my stuff in the garage, cover the carpets, get an air test after the job.

Maybe chuck the vacuum. I have one of these for DIY, it'll handle asbestos and lead paint. https://www.clickcleaning.co.uk/products/numatic-hz200-9l-h-class Then a standard Henry for regular cleaning.

Though if a large amount of artex was disturbed, or high content asbestos was the issue you'd need a professional.

In modern life, we're breathing all sorts of pollution every time we walk down the street. Try not to worry about it too much.

 

[Robinsnest6]

Thanks for the replies!

The problem is, the hallway ceiling was disturbed, and I think the others are because of all the cracks. I would’ve much preferred to have got all of this sorted before we moved in, believe me! But the asbestos company told us they were fine to be left as they were in good condition. Now that we’ve moved in we can see that they’re very much not in good condition hence my worry!

We did change the hoover filter and will definitely need to remove the artex ceilings. They can’t just be filled and painted over I don’t think.

I’ve attached some pictures of some of the cracks.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

The problem is, the hallway ceiling was disturbed, and I think the others are because of all the cracks.

If those photos are of the worst of it, you are worrying needlessly. Just ignore it, don't look at it, find something else to worry about.

 

[Phil473]

Thanks for the replies!

The problem is, the hallway ceiling was disturbed, and I think the others are because of all the cracks. I would’ve much preferred to have got all of this sorted before we moved in, believe me! But the asbestos company told us they were fine to be left as they were in good condition. Now that we’ve moved in we can see that they’re very much not in good condition hence my worry and the reason I’m not feeling very confident with what the asbestos “experts” are telling me

We did change the hoover filter and will definitely need to remove the artex ceilings. They can’t just be filled and painted over.

I’ve attached some pictures of some of the cracks.

In my non professional opinion, that's nothing. I'd just finger in some filler and paint over.

You'll occasionally get hairline cracks, you can see in the picture I've used polyfiller and will paint over. Excuse the black marks, they are cobwebs!

 

[Robinsnest6]

Ok thanks all for the reassurance. The asbestos company (the same ones who originally told us they were in good condition) have since told us they think they need to be removed so will need to have a think about what to do as it is expensive, but if the ceilings aren’t safe then I would rather get rid of them completely. You can’t really tell from the pictures but it does look like bits of the ceiling are just going to fall off in parts.

If it’s was just me in the house I wouldn’t be worried but because my son is here I’m naturally more concerned.

 

[accelerator]

Ok thanks all for the reassurance. The asbestos company (the same ones who originally told us they were in good condition) have since told us they think they need to be removed so will need to have a think about what to do as it is expensive, but if the ceilings aren’t safe then I would rather get rid of them completely. You can’t really tell from the pictures but it does look like bits of the ceiling are just going to fall off in parts.

Call me cynical, but an asbestos removal company would say that, as they want the work.

Artex is low risk for asbestos, it uses at most 2% asbestos fibres, but they are bound strongly into the artex material, so they do not represent a risk if left alone. The risk comes if you drill into or abrade the artex, when you are creating dust and then potentially airbourne fibres.

If you get the ceilings removed, you will generate more fibres than just leaving them there and repairing them. The safest solution IMO would be to repair the ceilings such that they won't fall down, and then get them skimmed.

 

[Phil473]

Agree with accelerator, the removal company want the work and may not be completely honest.

I usually get an inspection from an asbestos inspector before doing work; he gets the same pay whether the asbestos needs to be removed or not. He'll refer to a removal company, if necessary.

But perhaps only a builder can determine whether the ceiling boards themselves are unstable. Yes, if that's the case they need replacement and that would have to be done by an asbestos company.

You may find that some builders will say they can remove the asbestos for much cheaper. Only a qualified professional, can comment, inspect and remove asbestos.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Ok thanks all for the reassurance. The asbestos company (the same ones who originally told us they were in good condition) have since told us they think they need to be removed so will need to have a think about what to do as it is expensive, but if the ceilings aren’t safe then I would rather get rid of them completely. You can’t really tell from the pictures but it does look like bits of the ceiling are just going to fall off in parts.

If it’s was just me in the house I wouldn’t be worried but because my son is here I’m naturally more concerned.

If they're that bad then you probably need all new plasterboard rather than just steaming it off.

Get a quote from a plasterer. They'll be familiar with old artex. It needs treating with respect but not panic. I'd suggest that removing the plasterboard together with the artex is going to be very very low risk, as you'll hardly be disturbing the artex - it will just be moving as-is from the ceiling to a skip, together with the board.

There's a tiny percentage of the lowest-risk asbestos in artex, and it's very well bound together. If you were to power-sand it and breathe in the dust you'd be taking a stupid risk. But otherwise it's really not a major issue.

Asbestos is all over the place. My grandad died from it at 40-odd, but he worked in a factory making the stuff, literally covered in the stuff every day. My grandma also died with lung-related issues, possibly from washing his overalls. But I reiterate, he would have been smothered in the stuff, every day.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Another option is to board over it, leaving it underneath. Subject to the joists being strong enough. The old board will add stiffness and insulation, for free. The artex will be permanently sealed in, so risk-free.

You can also use insulated plasterboard to get super-warm insulation, I did this at our last house and it transformed the place and our heating bills.

 

[Phil473]

If they're that bad then you probably need all new plasterboard rather than just steaming it off.

Get a quote from a plasterer. They'll be familiar with old artex. It needs treating with respect but not panic. I'd suggest that removing the plasterboard together with the artex is going to be very very low risk, as you'll hardly be disturbing the artex - it will just be moving as-is from the ceiling to a skip, together with the board.

There's a tiny percentage of the lowest-risk asbestos in artex, and it's very well bound together. If you were to power-sand it and breathe in the dust you'd be taking a stupid risk. But otherwise it's really not a major issue.

Asbestos is all over the place. My grandad died from it at 40-odd, but he worked in a factory making the stuff, literally covered in the stuff every day. My grandma also died with lung-related issues, possibly from washing his overalls. But I reiterate, he would have been smothered in the stuff, every day.

Have to respectfully disagree, a plasterer is not qualified to comment on asbestos. And artex should not be dumped in a skip next to a public street. It needs to be carefully wrapped and disposed of by an asbestos removal company.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

The asbestos company (the same ones who originally told us they were in good condition) have since told us they think they need to be removed so will need to have a think about what to do as it is expensive, but if the ceilings aren’t safe then I would rather get rid of them completely. You can’t really tell from the pictures but it does look like bits of the ceiling are just going to fall off in parts.

Of course they would - there is really good money to be made from asbestos removal.

Ask a damp company if you have damp, and they will find some which needs expensive remedial work.