Is this asbestos? (Ed.)

[Robyn077]

Hi can someone offer advice We had in our home report asbestos containing materials does this mean it’s definetly asbestos? its inside kitchen cupboard surrounding old pipes

 

[JohnD]

Do you mean the grey board in the ceiling?

How old is the house?

Do you live near a shipyard or former steam engine factory?

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Nothing to do with sodding shipyards or steam engines, it was used all over the place.

Hard to tell from the photo but it looks like it's fibrous so may well be.

You can find an asbestos testing service online, there are loads. They'll send you a sample bag. You could probably just snap a chunk off the edge of that hole to send for testing.

 

[JohnD]

Nothing to do with sodding shipyards or steam engines,

However people who worked in places where it was widely used sometimes brought it home.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

It was all over the place, absolutely intentionally and supplied as a common building product. That sort of board was commonly used in soffits and around boilers. Everywhere, absolutely nothing to do with nicking stuff intended for some other purpose.

It was the wonder-product of its time - strong, rot-proof, fireproof. Amazing stuff, but then people working with it started dropping dead.

 

[^woody^]

If that's an old heater cupboard, that is likely to be AIB - the more hazardous type of asbestos.

Have it tested by a registered firm

And if positive, looking at the damage, that would be classed as a release of fibres.

Insist on controlled removal and vacuum and air test, or reduce the offer to cover that cost and have it done while the house is empty before you move in.