Asbestos in ceiling?

[Sue]

So there was quite big leak from my upstairs neighbour's washing machine last week. I've just got home to find a big bit of my kitchen ceiling's collapsed. As you can imagine, it's a right mess but I'm concerned there might be some asbestos in there -- the building was converted into flats early/mid-80s and the ceiling plaster when I moved in was swirly. I had some work done and got my builder to skim it.

How likely is it that there's asbestos in there? And what do I do if there is, given it's obviously been disturbed and there's rubble everywhere?

 

[sojourner]

So there was quite big leak from my upstairs neighbour's washing machine last week. I've just got home to find a big bit of my kitchen ceiling's collapsed. As you can imagine, it's a right mess but I'm concerned there might be some asbestos in there -- the building was converted into flats early/mid-80s and the ceiling plaster when I moved in was swirly. I had some work done and got my builder to skim it.

How likely is it that there's asbestos in there? And what do I do if there is, given it's obviously been disturbed and there's rubble everywhere?

Swirly plaster? Artex? Almost certainly has asbestos in it if so. Ring a builder, ask. There are also asbestos firms. In the meantime, cover it over, don't touch it.

 

[kalidarkone]

Would your original survey say?
Mdk1 has just bought a house with asbestos- the survey highlighted it. It's being removed in November and costing 2k.

 

[Sue]

It's literally all over my kitchen. A friend has recommended a plasterer -- do you think if i send him some pictures, he'd be able to identify it?

Would your original survey say?
Mdk1 has just bought a house with asbestos- the survey highlighted it. It's being removed in November and costing 2k.

I'll see if i can dig it out.

 

[kalidarkone]

It's literally all over my kitchen. A friend has recommended a plasterer -- do you think if i send him some pictures, he'd be able to identify it?

I'll see if i can dig it out.

Samples have to be tested at a lab apparently. Says Google......

 

[smmudge]

The only way to know 100% is to send samples off for testing. Any qualified asbestos consultant will tell you this, people who aren't asbestos experts but like to think they are might try and tell you different! Only an asbestos survey should confirm if there's asbestos or not.

My OH is a qualified asbestos analyst so feel free to PM some pictures, I know what her answer would be (see above ) but she may have some guidance on best way forwards for you if it is or may be.

 

[Sue]

The only way to know 100% is to send samples off for testing. Any qualified asbestos consultant will tell you this, people who aren't asbestos experts but like to think they are might try and tell you different! Only an asbestos survey should confirm if there's asbestos or not.

My OH is a qualified asbestos analyst so feel free to PM some pictures, I know what her answer would be (see above ) but she may have some guidance on best way forwards for you if it is or may be.

Oh that's very kind, thank you!

 

[Sweet FA]

I'll see if i can dig it out.

I don't think you're supposed to touch it tbh.

 

[Sue]

I don't think you're supposed to touch it tbh.

The survey! I'm not going anywhere near the rubble.

 

[gentlegreen]

We lost the bags of glass fibre sound insulation in the ceiling over our recording studio at work because the professional-looking people using polarising microscopes couldn't tell the difference...