Soffits (asbestos)

[JimmyACon]

Hi all

I am trying to cut through a load of confusing information about soffits on a house I'm purchasing and wondered if anybody here had any experience they could offer?

Basically, we had a survey done which shows the soffits contain AIB asbestos. They're in reasonable condition (he rated the damage as low, a few scratches or marks) but it recommended we get them encapsulated and this has to be by a specialist asbestos firm.

Asbestos company 1 says encapsulation will be £3k and removal £7k.

Company 2 says encapsulation doesn't work and we need to get them removed, also £7k. They said we won't be able to get the windows redone with it still there.

So I spoke to a trusted double glazing firm who say they could easily do the windows with it still there AND they could clad the soffits themselves for just over £1k.

I've also had somebody else I trust suggest I could just paint over them myself with a particular type of paint to reseal.

And I'm sat here totally confused wondering if any of this is really necessary.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

James

 

[johnny2007]

As long as you don't disturb the asbestos soffits, you can get the windows in.
Also, you can paint over it as long as it's sound and not breaking.

 

[JimmyACon]

As long as you don't disturb the asbestos soffits, you can get the windows in.
Also, you can paint over it as long as it's sound and not breaking.

Thanks. I don't think it's in a particularly bad condition. Asbestos is just a scary word to somebody with no knowledge like myself!

 

[Mw Roofline]

How big is the house. Encapsulating the soffit properly takes a bit of time. 1k seems cheap even for a semi.

 

[JimmyACon]

It’s a three bedroom semi detached

 

[Tigercubrider]

If the company are already there doing windows, presumably with a tower, it won't take long to do the soffits.
I did my own single story garage side in an afternoon. (Cladding)
A window company did my soffits/fascia and guttering in two days. (Removed the asbestos and timber)

 

[JimmyACon]

Yeah, that price was dependent on the fact that they would already be doing the upstairs windows

 

[^woody^]

You certainly don't need to encapsulate soffits that are outside, in good condition and at no risk of regular contact or damage.

But bear in mind that painting them with normal gloss in a colour of your choice (as many people do) is encapsulation.

 

[Wayners]

There is asbestos bin at our local tip. Guy in our street as just taken soffit along with asbestos soil pipe. Have to get licence or something but it's on the councils website. Crazy money to get pros but probably the safest way. I took all mine to the council run bin at local skip company 20 years ago. I'd say check council website and see what they say but I guess we might just be lucky here with this service.

 

[JimmyACon]

Thanks everybody. It's tricky when the companies you get sent to for advice are also the ones who would do the work, so of course they're going to tell you it needs removing, and that has to be done by specialists.