Cement Asbestos Flue Pipe - removal cost

dalehitchy1 · 27 Apr 2017 at 17:20

I want to reconfigure one of the rooms that has a built-in wardrobe, (basically i want to knock it down) but inside that is an enclosed disused cement asbestos flue pipe which comes from the attic to the bottom of the first floor.

Does anyone know the rough costs these days or is it so high I may as well leave it?

thezappa · 28 Apr 2017 at 08:45

Couldn't tell you exactly but we had some asbestos removed from our loft when we bought it, not a huge amount, couple of square metres at most, was about 2.5k.
Whole house was sealed off for a couple of days and no one could go in while they sucked all the air out and 'de-contaminated' it.

Em3bbs · 28 Apr 2017 at 20:53

Is the pipe easily removable or will you have to cut it?

rexehuk · 28 Apr 2017 at 20:57

How do you know it's asbestos out of interest? Got any photos?

Worried my property might have one!

dalehitchy1 · 28 Apr 2017 at 21:29

thezappa said:
Couldn't tell you exactly but we had some asbestos removed from our loft when we bought it, not a huge amount, couple of square metres at most, was about 2.5k.
Whole house was sealed off for a couple of days and no one could go in while they sucked all the air out and 'de-contaminated' it.

Would it be any different for a flue pipe tho. Its probably about 2.5-3 metres long, so would likely need to be cut. This is also cement asbestos if that makes any difference.

thezappa · 28 Apr 2017 at 21:55

dalehitchy1 said:
Would it be any different for a flue pipe tho. Its probably about 2.5-3 metres long, so would likely need to be cut. This is also cement asbestos if that makes any difference.

No it wouldn't. While some ACM is seen as being less dangerous than others, it is still dangerous and cutting it, while should be avoided where possible, may have to be done to get it out.

Because of its more durable and finer fibres, crocidolite (commonly known as 'Blue' asbestos) is generally considered to present a greater risk than the other two types; amosite and chrysotile (aka 'Brown' and 'White', asbestos respectively). 'White' is also known as cement asbestos

All things being equal, White is generally accepted as presenting a lower risk, but there is no recognised safe limit for exposure to any form.

Dis86 · 29 Apr 2017 at 12:58

thezappa said:
No it wouldn't. While some ACM is seen as being less dangerous than others, it is still dangerous and cutting it, while should be avoided where possible, may have to be done to get it out.

Because of its more durable and finer fibres, crocidolite (commonly known as 'Blue' asbestos) is generally considered to present a greater risk than the other two types; amosite and chrysotile (aka 'Brown' and 'White', asbestos respectively). 'White' is also known as cement asbestos

All things being equal, White is generally accepted as presenting a lower risk, but there is no recognised safe limit for exposure to any form.

Just quoting this for its accuracy. Pay attention to what it says, especially the last sentence. Any exposure can be a ticking time bomb.

Brookert · 29 Apr 2017 at 17:49

I've got a bit of experience so I could offer a little bit of advice. Costs? I wouldn't be paying any more than £1000, preferably around half that as it's barely half a days work if no re-instatement is needed. Flue removals are very easy generally, as the pipe can drop down from the roof in one piece if there is enough wiggle room below.

dalehitchy1 · 3 May 2017 at 13:47

FYI

The asbestos removal company have quoted me ~ £300

Brookert · 3 May 2017 at 21:36

Thats good. Just check its a reputable company. If they do the work, make sure the area around where the flue was is clean and free of debris. They haven't priced for a full environmental clean but they should at least vac up any mess for obvious reasons.

Rroff · 3 May 2017 at 21:42

Dis86 said:
Just quoting this for its accuracy. Pay attention to what it says, especially the last sentence. Any exposure can be a ticking time bomb.

Spent a lot of my childhood playing around here :s

Guess what that stuff is... and wasn't much more intact then infact several loose bits that are gone in the image.

bushmins · 6 May 2017 at 21:07

I have yet to see any evidence of anyone getting problems from asbestos unless they worked with it every day in a confined space. Would be interested if anyone can find some evidence.

BF-Bert · 6 May 2017 at 23:10

There are plenty of cases involving teachers who developed mesothelioma by working in classes containing asbestos.

Dis86 · 7 May 2017 at 00:18

bushmins said:
I have yet to see any evidence of anyone getting problems from asbestos unless they worked with it every day in a confined space. Would be interested if anyone can find some evidence.

There you go. Fully referenced and took 5 seconds via google.

And Another medical paper

https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2011...othelioma-after-exposure-asbestos-during-home

Deus Ex · 7 May 2017 at 12:39

bushmins said:
I have yet to see any evidence of anyone getting problems from asbestos unless they worked with it every day in a confined space. Would be interested if anyone can find some evidence.

Mate there have been wives who cleaned husbands clothes who ended up with mesothelioma. That **** is like mercury, no safe lower limit.

nutcase · 7 May 2017 at 14:32

bushmins said:
I have yet to see any evidence of anyone getting problems from asbestos unless they worked with it every day in a confined space. Would be interested if anyone can find some evidence.

Thousands of them. Here's a random one. http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/rid...tos-exposure/story-12673857-detail/story.html And here's a US medical article that states around 20% of cases of mesothelioma have no demonstrable contact: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2853044/

eviled · 8 May 2017 at 08:10

I've met plenty of people with asbestosis who have no idea when or how they were exposed

Lord-Jaffa · 17 Jun 2017 at 21:48

bushmins said:
I have yet to see any evidence of anyone getting problems from asbestos unless they worked with it every day in a confined space. Would be interested if anyone can find some evidence.

Except for the familys of those who worked with it you mean, quite common for spouses and children to develop Mesothelioma.

Lord-Jaffa · 17 Jun 2017 at 21:51

You should be able to remove a flue quite easily, I work in the industry and to be honest, there is no such thing as a reputable removal company, they will cut corners wherever they feel they can get away with it.

nutcase · 18 Jun 2017 at 09:07

Lord-Jaffa said:
You should be able to remove a flue quite easily, I work in the industry and to be honest, there is no such thing as a reputable removal company, they will cut corners wherever they feel they can get away with it.

The reputable ones actually take it somewhere legal and might have insurance.

Allegedly