garage ceiling contains asbestos

[Jupiter01]

Hi All,

I have a garage which has a felt roof on the top and looks as follows from beneath. I have been told that the sheets underneath these battens are asbestos but they are entirely harmless unless the sheets are disturbed I.e. Shaken, drilled, etc.

Is this true?

Secondly, I'd like to plasterboard this ceiling and compound fill the plasterboard joints. Is it safe to do this and will this make the place even safer? I'd also like to do this for aesthetic reasons.

 

[^woody^]

Yes its true, and yes its safe to do what you propose.

 

[footprints]

Yes a long as you do not disturb it, might be kind to any later tradesman to put a note on your new plaster board warning it is there though, to save him merrily drilling through it.

 

[Jupiter01]

should I be using any special dust mark whilst screwing plasterboards to the battens

 

[footprints]

Certainly worth taking that precaution (use a minimum of a P3 rated mask) and some disposable overalls, even if you don't expect to disturb it. Just screwing into underside of the battens shouldn't stir things up but don't use anything like an impact driver or drill on hammer to do it.

 

[Jupiter01]

Thanks guys. That's very helpful

 

[pilsbury]

Good advice on P3 dustmask as a precaution. The cement based asbestos board is at the lower end of the risk for asbestos. The fibres are bonded with cement and even when broken up still have cement stuck to them making them heavy and sink - not easily respirable. Drilling and sanding those boards however is a big no-no. The real asbestos problem is the pipe lagging type stuff. Horrible shyte