Asbestos Solution

[DaveWave]

We have a garage where the ceiling boards have been tested positive for asbestos (chrysotile, amosite).

It’s a fairly high vaulted ceiling and it’s a big area we’d need to replace. We’d love to get the lot of it removed and replaced but there’s just no way we can afford it.

So, we were looking for alternatives. We’ve been told “it’s okay as long as you don’t disturb it”. The garage is used a workplace/workshop where we spend a fair bit of time so it’s something we’d rather try to minimise the risk of.

Someone suggested “sealing” the board and recommended glueing plyboard all over the boards and then painting it to “seal” the asbestos in. Or apparently we can just paint over it all with a suitable paint.

I’d just love some advice from people with better knowledge than me. Help?

 

[Deluks]

Just to be clear, are these corrugated roofing sheets?

I painted over the inside of mine with bitumen paint. Although they become less breathable and condensation can form if you use a waterproof product. I've had a few drips.

You could use diluted PVA glue on the boards themselves.

There are tens of thousands of garages and industrial units just like this across the UK, they present no real problem, but if it bothers you so much, get them replaced with something else.

It is DIY able if you take the basic precautions: suit, decent mask, gloves, keep it all hosed down.
You can hire a small tower for the height. Some councils take it away for free or a small charge if you wrap and tape it in heavy duty plastic sheet.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

So, we were looking for alternatives. We’ve been told “it’s okay as long as you don’t disturb it”. The garage is used a workplace/workshop where we spend a fair bit of time so it’s something we’d rather try to minimise the risk of.

There is a lot of money to be made, by companies claiming to be specialists in it's removal, so they are over keen to promote the risks. If undisturbed, the risk is absolutely minimal - avoid drilling it, or abrading it in any way, and the risk is absolutely minimal. The greater risk is of you attempting to do something about it.

 

[DaveWave]

Just to be clear, are these corrugated roofing sheets?

I painted over the inside of mine with bitumen paint. Although they become less breathable and condensation can form if you use a waterproof product. I've had a few drips.

Thanks for the reply. I believe it’s AIB. We naively just thought it was some kind of plasterboard when we moved in but it’s been tested now.

 

[DaveWave]

There is a lot of money to be made, by companies claiming to be specialists in it's removal, so they are over keen to promote the risks. If undisturbed, the risk is absolutely minimal - avoid drilling it, or abrading it in any way, and the risk is absolutely minimal. The greater risk is of you attempting to do something about it.

Thanks. So you wouldn’t even think about sealing it with paint?

 

[Deluks]

It might brighten the place up!

I don't think 'asbestos white' is a Dulux colour just yet, but surely it's only a matter of time.

 

[DaveWave]

It might brighten the place up!

I don't think 'asbestos white' is a Dulux colour just yet, but surely it's only a matter of time.

Yeah if we painted it, the colour change would definitely be a bonus.

 

[Wayners]

Was a few years ago. About 2021 my neighbour had asbestos roof removed for £550. Yorkshire company on Facebook.
There first job was Devon. Then Bristol. Then at 4pm us at SW.
Following day they were in Scotland.

I get prices to get rid of it or will sit on house record and could effect selling price

 

[foxhole]

Overboard with plasterboard .

 

[PolarNorth78]

You can confirm if it's AIB or Asbestos Cement by a water absorption test if you're interested. AC is known to contain Amosite so isn't a reliable indicator of what type of material it is on its own.

As other have said though, unless you're planning to drill it or disturb in some way, it poses very little health risk. The Heath and Safety Executive have some asbestos guides on how to manage it and you can go on a non licenced removal course to learn more about the materials anyway.

My concern with gluing plywood sheets is weight. The asbestos sheets can be very heavy and may be held with nails. Plus IF it's AIB, that can be friable. If you have a lot of headroom, perhaps a suspended ceiling anchored into the wall would be better. Pictures always help.

 

[Brigadier]

Presuming it is in decent condition and not being affected by damp or water ingress, just paint it.

I wouldn't recommend fixing anything to it: not only would that likely create a hazard in the doing, it will also be more likely to fail later on - causing even more hazard, and expense to put right - and make its eventual planned removal even more troublesome and expensive.

Asbestos essentials - HSE

www.hse.gov.uk

Task guidance sheet A7 for the specifics.

 

[Lower]

I would paint it with a vinyl emulsion and forget about it.

 

[DaveWave]

You can confirm if it's AIB or Asbestos Cement by a water absorption test if you're interested. AC is known to contain Amosite so isn't a reliable indicator of what type of material it is on its own.

. Pictures always help.

Some pictures attached. Most of it has a light coat of paint already that was already on when we moved in.

I’d just feel happier with a much thicker coat of paint over it.

 

[DaveWave]

Presuming it is in decent condition and not being affected by damp or water ingress, just paint it.

I wouldn't recommend fixing anything to it: not only would that likely create a hazard in the doing, it will also be more likely to fail later on - causing even more hazard, and expense to put right - and make its eventual planned removal even more troublesome and expensive.

Asbestos essentials - HSE

www.hse.gov.uk

Task guidance sheet A7 for the specifics.

Thanks very much. That’s really helpful. The painting option feels like the most sensible thing to do until we can afford something more permanent.

Cheers!

 

[PolarNorth78]

Definitely wouldn't glue anything to that. As others have mentioned, you risk ripping it off the nails. Painting is a definite option and use the HSE guidance on how to do this. From those images it looks to be in good condition.

Unless you're ripping, grinding or drilling, nothing to worry about.