Worried about asbestos - am I being paranoid?

[CplKit]

Hi all - be extremely grateful for any advice on the following -

We've removed a 1950s style brick fireplace from my property; fireplace opening is currently unfinished. I'll be getting a survey asap, but am now getting paranoid about asbestos risk, particularly as have kid on the way!

Does anyone here know if the attached photos look like asbestos, and if so whether we should tape off or just leave it until a professional looks at it?

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• CplKit
• 6 Apr 2015
• 1

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• CplKit
• 6 Apr 2015
• 1

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• CplKit
• 6 Apr 2015
• 1

Many thanks.

 

[JohnD]

I can only see bricks, mortar and concrete.

Is there any fluffy or woven grey insulation, or any grey cement-like board?

You are more likely to find asbestos in a factory or boiler-room than in a domestic house. Sometimes it was used inside boilers and steel flues as a seal or gasket on joints.

 

[CplKit]

Thanks! Bit I was particularly concerned about is what appears to be a foam pad sitting on top; couple of further photos below. Although now I’m, being paranoid I’m also wondering whether I should get anything else there tested, as I understand asbestos was woven into a lot of materials....

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• CplKit
• 6 Apr 2015
• 1

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• CplKit
• 6 Apr 2015
• 1

*edit - no cement like board that I can see.

 

[JohnD]

I don't know what that is. Does it burn? Glass-fibre mineral wool as used in lofts does not burn easily, but will melt away with a blowlamp.

 

[CplKit]

Not sure; would the view be if it burns or melts, it's unlikely to be asbestos? If it's uncertain, I'm inclined to just leave it for now & get it professionally removed this week.

 

[JohnD]

Not sure; would the view be if it burns or melts, it's unlikely to be asbestos?

Yes

 

[tony1851]

or just leave it until a professional looks at it?

yes, and pay them hundreds of pounds.

 

[CplKit]

Yup - after a bit of googling I'm hoping it's just rockwool, but I'm reluctant to take chances when I've got my pregnant wife living here! Will be trying burning it later.

 

[JohnD]

is it yellow (where clean)?

And might it be in a quilt about 600mm wide and 50mm-100mm thick, or cut from such a roll?

 

[CplKit]

Is around 50mm thick, and is yellow; can't tell width without pulling it out. Thanks for following up on this!

 

[JohnD]

that's typical of fibreglass loft insulation. Pull it out and put it in a plastic bag.

 

[CplKit]

Thank you - that's very helpful and much appreciated!

 

[noseall]

If you are worried about fibres escaping, put some diluted PVA in a spray bottle and give it a few blasts and leave it to dry.

Your pregnant wife stands more chance of breathing in harmful dust on a busy city road than in any household situation. Tough creatures are pregnant women, stop pandering.

 

[Nige F]

Never mind the dust - think of the diesel fumes particulates - and the residue of asbestos brake linings on the tube - and the mad cyclists.