Asbestos testing

Soldato
Joined
25 Nov 2009
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5,392
Got a cement board garage with corrugated cement roof sheets. Built many a moon ago with obvious potential for asbestos fibres.

Any recommendations on the best method of testing? Seen some kits available online. Would they provide suitable proof so I could dispose of it at the tip if it's not asbestos?

Cheers
 
fairly common and fairly easy to sort, you could get it tested first for sure but it will almost certainly be asbestos adept a lower risk probably around 5% concrete asbestos, whats the age of the building cira 1950? build? Then check with your local council and see if they will take the sheets, hose down the whole of the roof while you are working wearing a full over suit and a P3 mask, you can never have to much water it will stop the fibers from becoming air born and small spray bottle as you work would also be a good idea. Take each panel down and double wrap them in strong plastic making sure you tape each layer of the plastic, try to as much as you can avoid breaking any of the panel as this will cause more fiber release. When all this is done take of the suit and double bag and wrap that as well, then go and have a shower and drive to the local recycling center if they will take it, for example where I live they are happy to take it during 1pm and 3pm. Some guy the other end has to get all the kit on just to open the door of the skip it goes into and he isn't allowed to even touch your double wrapped bags you have to place them into the container.
 
Completely up to you but getting it tested first will cost you about £80 or so, if it comes back as containing asbestos you then have the cost of removing it yourself or getting it done by someone else on top of the £80. The cheapest option is to just get the stuff and do it yourself which would be less than £80 all in.
 
We've got asbestos in our 1970's garage roof and was told by the company that tested it that unless the roof is damaged then it's best just to leave it as-is.

It was one of the (many) things we were stressing out about when we were going through the house buying process and in hindsight we really shouldn't have worried.
 
I paid about £100 for a kit to test two separate concrete items before smashing them up. They provided a certificate that no asbestos was present. I wasn't asked to show it at the tip or anything.

My Grandad recently died from asbestosis. Please don't take any risks.
 
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