Asbestos

[andy82]

Have tried to google asbestos roof tiles to try and see if my roof is asbestos. Looks very similar Black corrugated boards covered in white fluffy patches. My concern is not with the roof but all the dust on the floor that i have swept (Swiftly stopped) after realizing i could be sweeping asbestos spores from the roof.

Quickly left the room to wait for the dust to settle.

Can asbestos dust/spores fall from a roof onto the floor?

 

[andy82]

if it is asbestos I was thinking of spraying it to stop any release of asbestos. Would normal paint work.

 

[taxi ray]

Best to just use pva glue watered down, thats what we used.

 

[andy82]

Thanks ray thats a good idea.

 

[cumbriasteve]

If it is asbestos and the older the roof the increased chance it is, then you need to do a rethink, there are a couple of different types of asbestos, one much worse than the other.

I would not spray it, more chance of blowing spores all over the place.

Don't forget, even if you use the correct mask, any spores that settle on clothing can end up a high risk again when the clothing is removed, hence the reason for the decontam showers and sealed work places the pro's use when dealing with the stuff.

I had the pleasure of working with it in 1967 before the risk was known, my workmate at the time died a few years back of asbestosis, it's quite a hit and miss risk on your chances but certainly one you want to avoid

 

[madkayaker]

Our local removal removal company take samples and analyse for £50 then you know for sure

 

[brightspark]

If it is asbestos and the older the roof the increased chance it is, then you need to do a rethink, there are a couple of different types of asbestos, one much worse than the other.

I would not spray it, more chance of blowing spores all over the place.

Don't forget, even if you use the correct mask, any spores that settle on clothing can end up a high risk again when the clothing is removed, hence the reason for the decontam showers and sealed work places the pro's use when dealing with the stuff.

I had the pleasure of working with it in 1967 before the risk was known, my workmate at the time died a few years back of asbestosis, it's quite a hit and miss risk on your chances but certainly one you want to avoid

thats a laugh isnt it the councill payed a registered removal firm to strip a roof off so the builder could re roof it. the guys turned up and got stuck in wearing overalls and a decent dust mask .ripping the tiles up and putting them in to polly bags there was dust and sh...t blowing everywhere it was warm that day so off came the overalls and one guy had a fag while the other was stripping all the bags got chucked in the back of the tranny and off they went . i wonder what they fleeced the councill for its { SAFE} removal

 

[andy82]

£50 sounds good when you consider your health could be at risk. I think thats the first thing to do. Will phone a few places tomorrow. How long do the results take?

Do you think by sweeping the floor i may of inhaled enough to cause concern, or would it be more of a long exposure that would cause damage.

I am not 100% it is asbestos, looks like the bitumen type corrugated roofing but on the inside is very fluffy looking.... if that makes sense.

I will get pics

 

[madkayaker]

I think they do a 24hour service but it might be different for other company's.

 

[andy82]

If i get this tested and turns out to be asbestos what would the plan of action be. As steve mentions spraying may cause more spores....so what would i do?

Looking online there are companies that put on spray insulation

 

[mike os]

if it is asbestos then get a specialist firm to deal with it...either remove & replace (always favoourite) or encapsulate... but not a DIY job

 

[andy82]

thanks mike, i would not diy this. What costs are involved in encapsulating the stuff.

Been reading up on it and it's identical to the Asbestos cement sheets, not as bad as others. its only 1 unit that has it upstairs (visible) the main workshop in the other unit is a different roof. But my wife will be in the office and around that roof so i need to do something.

 

[mike os]

I have not had any done for several years so really cant say... best thing is get an expert in & take their advice. I know a reasonable amount about this crap, & wont deal with it myself, I just call a specialist & let them deal with it & pass on teh bill

 

[cumbriasteve]

Do you think by sweeping the floor i may of inhaled enough to cause concern, or would it be more of a long exposure that would cause damage

Don't forget, most people who are 50+ have stood a good chance of asbestos exposure, it was a common building material and as kids we probably smashed, sawed, built things and burnt it at some time, you have identified there could be asbestos and you are seeking advice before deciding the route to take...you have done fine.

 

[flash of light]

last week my neighbour had a new roof , old roof ar these very thin pink tiles (4mm) from 60s. the workmen chucked them off roof onto pile on the ground 25 feet up with loads of visable dust, luckly the wind was blowing away from my garden. then on sunday a highways 7.5 lorry came and loaded them up. (i wonder what dumps ar open on a sunday)

 

[Monster966]

I had some asbestos removed at work a few weeks ago, it was like something out of a movie Anyway you can send the samples off. I think we picked someone off the HSE website & it was only £9 on a 48 hour return or pay a few quid more for a 24 hour turn round, no need to pay £50. Mind you the removal costs were huuuuge £2500 for a ceiling about 10 by 4 metres.

 

[Pete.]

thanks mike, i would not diy this. What costs are involved in encapsulating the stuff.

Been reading up on it and it's identical to the Asbestos cement sheets, not as bad as others. its only 1 unit that has it upstairs (visible) the main workshop in the other unit is a different roof. But my wife will be in the office and around that roof so i need to do something.

There is asbestos is so many things you will have encountered in your life all un-wittingly.

There are no 'spores', only fibers. These are released when asbestos is damaged so spraying it with a water/PVA soluton won't release any of them.

Roofing sheets are most likely crysotile, and it can be present in very low percentages. Effects from crysotile are cumulative (like hearing damage) so breathing a little of it isn't a death sentence. If it's present in non-notifiable quantities you can remove it commercially wearing paper overalls and a mask. Amosite and Crosidolite are a different kettle of fish and should be treated more carefully as they can harm you with low exposure. If you want to get it tested for £50 for some peace of mind then that's up to you BUT you run the risk of them finding notifiable asbestos where you didn't realise there was anyCould have some financial bearing though I guess that's better than suffering a serious exposure.

As for sweeping the floor - if your tiles/sheets are in good condition and still securely fixed down there's no reason to think you might be at risk from fibers just by sweeping up dust. There's just as much risk from the dust itself probably.

 

[kelsham]

As said earlier, many people were exposed to asbestos fibres in the 60s and 70s. I worked for a franchise that sold Mintex brake linings. We used to sweep the dust off the surfaces when it reached a height of two inches or so.

At that point the workshop became opaque with dust. We would go outside and wait for it to subside so we could resume sweeping.

I have survived so far, 70 next year, My Mother worked during the war at a company that made gaskets for aircraft engines.

She worked with blue asbestos, supposed to be the most dangerous, she died last year at 95 with a heart problem.

Genetics may help. However I advise caution as asbestosis is a reality.

It will be difficult to dispose of any waste as the usual waste tips are unwilling to accept it.

I was offered a large concrete garage a few years ago free. I declined the offer because the roof was asbestos. and needed replacing. I was concerned about disposal.

Regards Kels.

 

[Robotstar5]

If you decide to remove it yourself, try phoning local council refuse dept. I had some to get rid of, as long as it was double bagged they collected for free. I wore a mask and disposable overalls which went with it, just remember to take the mask off last!

 

[Epicyclic]

There is some useful info on the HSE website. From what I can remember from a course I did a good few years ago hard asbestos is ok with caution if you are just handling it, not drilling or grinding etc. The soft stuff, pipe lagging etc. is a job for the specialists.