help and advice - asbestos

[adam80]

My girlfriend and I have just moved in to an ex local authority flat that was in a bad state of repair. We are renovating the entire property. On the first day in we pulled up carpets and noticed that there were some broken tiles underneath and thus would need to be pulled up so new flooring could be put in.

In some cases the tiles snapped whilst we were lifting them up, and they did create a lot of dust.

We had absolutely no idea that asbestos existed in tiles and the only time we found out about it was from a family member that commented on it after we had finished the job.

I am now obviously very concerned that we have exposed ourselves to asbestos. I don't know how we are supposed to dispose of them and if we can check if we are ok?

Bit concerned.

Cheers in advance

 

[Robbie uk]

Asbestos is a very dirty word at the moment. You cant just take it to the local refuse tip anymore. Specialist removal companies have to dispose of it, men suited up, spraying water on it to keep the dust down and putting it in sealed bags. Can be quite expensive. There are companies advertising in most areas. If you breathed any dust you need to seek medical advise.

 

[Nige F]

You'll probably die now just like the last occupants of the flat did.

that`s why your friend Tha***er sold them all cheap ....It knew about the asbestoss ........I`ll come and collect it and take it to our local tip for 75% of what a "specialist" will charge you ...IF you`re in S.E. area..........Hang on tiles UNDER the carpet .....ie. Marley floor tiles about as much asbestos in one of them as in my body .The dust was the detritus from the people/pets who lived/died there before you

 

[adam80]

I'll take a photo of the tiles and post it up here for tomorrow, might help.

Basically the floor is stone tiles, on top of that were these thin black tiles. Then on top of that was a carpet. The tiles were not put in by the person that laid the carpet.

I'll be honest, I've no idea what a Marley floor tile is!

Would the pic help, presuming I live long enough to take it and upload it?

 

[Nige F]

do you want a link to a will writing service Marley tiles.....thin black streaked 9"x9" tiles pic will verify......you could look for Marley on web ..(.still in building industry and a BIG co. now) ....and ask about their original floor tiles i.e actual % of asbestos...bet it`s tiny and held in by other resins+ binders etc

 

[confidentincompetent]

spray lightly with water to keep dust down,( gardren killerspray thingy) use a garden spade to scrape em up. bag in rubble sacks, take to local tip..

At our tip they got a skip for asbestos, doors ontop. I was just about to put bagged asbestos in and tip 'cammandor' shouts oiii no bags in skip please.. sooo he wanted me to empty sacks into skip I said no way ... didnt hear anymore ....

 

[joe-90]

Don't attempt to touch the tiles my father used to work for Marley makeing tiles he died of asbestos related lung cancer at the age of 49!!!

There's a big difference is working in a dusty factory year in year out that is a world apart from taking a few tiles to the tip. The risk is 'theoretical'. No-one dies from it.
You are at far greater risk from passive smoke than asbestos. Oh and if you smoke yourself the is a 1-in-2 chance it will kill you. Now there's a risk that should worry people.

 

[Nige F]

Well Said, Joe.......sorry about your dad, Ed. but what Joe says is right

 

[oldhenry]

local government has been ( is being ) taken for a ride on this asbestos lark.
This is not ship bulding, boiler lagging. This is asbestos sealed in building. . I wuld keep the tiles wet, do not break them unless you have too, and put them in sealed bags like any other rubbish at the tip. Who is going to dig it up and sniff it?
I put up a concrete/asbestos garage 45 years ago, drilled holes for bolts etc, and am still here today- also took asbestos/cement guttering off my last house, don't panic but respect it , like any other dust- avoid it.
If you smoke that is far more deadly, and probably if you eat a ceratin beefburger!