{"id":67,"date":"2022-07-03T11:19:04","date_gmt":"2022-07-03T11:19:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/scuplus.com\/?p=67"},"modified":"2023-06-12T19:47:35","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T19:47:35","slug":"surveys-maybe-diy-asbestos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/scuplus.com\/?p=67","title":{"rendered":"Surveys: Maybe DIY? Asbestos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After a walkthrough (the initial ‘survey’) I found that there is another thing that might be a problem. Asbestos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Asbestos textured coating (hse.gov.uk<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Asbestos can be found in all kinds of materials used in construction. To be honest, I didn’t notice that the property I’m buying might has an asbestos problem, until I saw someone from social media posted his experience of revealing asbestos in his home. That ceiling looks almost the same as mine, and before that I only thought it was a kind of pattern for decorative purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The HSE’s website and other sources suggested that such type of asbestos textured coating usually contains 3-4% of white asbestos (chrysotile). Usually it is not considered as harmful as the loose ones in the floor cavity or around the pipes, but as a homeowner it is possible that I will try to drill on the ceiling one day. If it does contain asbestos, I prefer to get rid of it than to cover it, though the former will cost more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now I have to answer the questions: (1) where is the asbestos, and (2) what is the area affected. Since this flat has already been separated into different rooms, I assume that if one sample from a room turned out to be positive, then that room has asbestos throughout its ceiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My first reaction was to type checkatrade.com (of course!) and look for Asbestos Testing. On the following Thursday I got it tested and the results returned a week later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only the ceiling of the bathroom has asbestos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is so wired because I cannot tell the difference between the ceilings of different rooms. I checked with the seller immediately, who confirmed that he has never touched any ceiling in the past 15+ years. Then I decided to take Plan B – I ordered an Asbestos Sampling Kit from Amazon.co.uk the at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>\"\"\n\n(AD) Asbestos Testing Kit on Amazon.co.uk<\/a>\n\n\n\n

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The kit was delivered the second day which is exactly what you would expect with (AD) Amazon Prime<\/a> delivery, although the packaging is a bit of surprise – it was just bagged in a cheap dark plastic envelop and it has nothing to do with the yellow box shown in the product profile of Amazon. (I hope they can update it asap!) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I registered the kit on the lab’s website and returned the samples using the 1st Class prepaid envelop provided on Monday. It guaranteed 24-hour result since receipt but I would expect it to take longer as the Royal Mail is on another strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of Tuesday I received the result, saying that only the bathroom has asbestos. Now I can negotiate the price with the seller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n