I am Batterning off ceilings thoughout a house that was built between the 40's and 50's. I believe that the
Question:upstairs exsisting ceilings are constructed of asbestos sheets. They are about 5mm plus thick and are very solid for their thickness. If it is asbestos am I ok to screw fix timber though the asbestos to the trusses. Is there a lot of risk to me?
Answers:
All asbestos has to be removed by a specialist firm. Phone your local government office to find out the correct procedure. I am fairly certain you will have to have it removed by law
There are different grades of asbestos, my friend batterned off his shop but didn't wear a mask which was silly and hazardous to future health, i suggest u get some expert advice before continuing as this is a very dangerous material...
depends on if its red or blue, if its red contact a specialist immediately if its blue its not particularly dangerous. but i would get it removed all the same! if yours a council property they should be liable, and if the property is yours you should be able to claim on your buildings insurance. but get it checked asap.
Well you should contact a specialist, but if you don't feel like it, asbestos is generally not to bad for you in till it becomes air born were you can breath it. so take care no to create a lot of particulate, and were a mask.
There is a million tons of asbestos sheets in homes throughout UK, it is totally inert if left alone, Just bury it , be careful of any drilling, as the airborne particles are hazardous
If you do decide to drill into the asbestos i would go to a safety equipment specialist supplier and obtain the best quality mask/respirator money can buy.
I have been a joiner all my life and never come across asbestos ceilings. when you bought the house this should have been picked. what about all the other houses near to you. this could be a major problem. you must get in a pro to look at this. As for DAVEOSTRICH as the name suggest he must have his head in the sand when he talks of blue asbestos. this is bad stuff. No one should be telling you to work with this stuff. please get this checked out.
The main types of asbestos used around that time in housing construction were Chrysotile and Crocidolite, more commonly referred to as White Asbestos and Blue Asbestos. As Stewpot pointed out, Crocidolite is really nasty stuff-you don't want so much a single fibre of that in your lungs, and Chrysotile has also been proven to cause asbestosis,lung cancer and mesothelioma.
I'm a professional building surveyor, and have worked in construction for over 20 years, and have never come across asbestos sheet ceilings; however, if you are reasonably sure you have them in your property then don't take a chance-get an asbestos survey done. They can arrange for a sample of the ceiling to be sent away for analysis, and will be able to advise you accordingly. It will cost around £300, but weigh that against the potential cost to you & your families' health if you start work and get things wrong and it looks pretty insignificant.
I'm a Carpenter and Ive never come across asbestos ceilings in a house, are you sure, if so cover it, buy screws that will self tap, and use gripfill
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