good evening, my partner and i are in the process of buying our first house, we have had all surveys and searches done, and they have come back with a problem in the loft space relating to an asbestos flue. they stated in the report that the flue belongs to my future neighbours. i personally have never heard of this, the survey says it was common place to do this when the house was built (1961). i would like to know what my options are, is it safe, or not. many thanks
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- Thread starter albertross
- Start date
It's a new one on me. I wouldn't be happy with a flue from a neighbour running through my roof space. It also raises issues with the safety of the neighbours. How will anyone inspect the flue when servicing their appliances.
I would get a second opinion from a gas installer. Speak to the neighbours and ask if the installer can check the flue.
I would get a second opinion from a gas installer. Speak to the neighbours and ask if the installer can check the flue.
As long as it is not disturbed or damaged then asbestos is safe. The problems occur when you want to move anything or it gets hit with anything.
We used to get loads where there are flats and the ground floor passes up through the first floor and terminates to ridge tiles. The first floor effectivly has the loft space but both flues pass through it.
It is a little awkward but we always had to service both properties together so that both flues could be inspected.
If there were to be a fault and was ID and no access could be gained to the ground floor flat to make safe then transco were called to inform them of an ID situation much in the same way that they are informed if a customer refuses to have appliance isolated.
I've had it in flats but the OP said house and that's not one I've come across.
Surveyors are not engineers; if you have any doubts, spend a bit of money on a gas and electrical inspection by qualified installers.
A basic test on both will not cost the earth and give you a good idea what to expect. You don't need every pipe, wire, socket and rad checked inside out; couple of hundred quid will tell you if the house needs a bit of upgrading, or that you need to set aside £5000 for major works.
A basic test on both will not cost the earth and give you a good idea what to expect. You don't need every pipe, wire, socket and rad checked inside out; couple of hundred quid will tell you if the house needs a bit of upgrading, or that you need to set aside £5000 for major works.
i would like to thank you all for your replies on this subject. it seems the only way of getting to the bottom of this is to have a gas fitter come and inspect it. once again many thanks.
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