To pull out of house purchase for this? Or am I crazy

[Newhome25]

This is causing huge amounts of stress with me and DH. I am six months pregnant and I do have anxiety so I realise this could be playing into my fears. We found a great house in the area we want. There’s barely any for sale and it’s not a forever home but a great start and perfect for life for the three of us for now. We have got to the stage where searches are happening and I said I wanted a damp survey and asbestos survey as the house was built in 70s.

Damp survey really reassuring but the asbestos one says there’s asbestos on the roof (described as sheets) and on the garage and on the plan it looks like also around where the guttering sits. These are all apparently stable and the roof is in ok condition generally. However, this still makes me feel sick with anxiety. The worst one is that parts of the loft have been filled in with filler that contains asbestos. We’ve been advised that these should be covered and the sellers have said they will sort this before the sale goes through. But… I’ve been reading into it and now I’m in full panic mode that if the areas haven’t been covered previously then little bits could have come off and be inside the house now. I’ve read even one bit could be dangerous. I can’t get it out of my head and want to pull out of the sale. DH is saying I’m crazy and he can’t proceed with it if im going to be like this but equally he feels we’ve spend hundreds on surveys and should just take the advice to get the problem areas covered and then get on with our lives. The surveyor has been re assuring but he’s not the one going to live there.

I have been worrying so much and just don’t feel comfortable exposing our baby to this. Am I being crazy? Is this a pregnancy induced panic that I will regret if we pull out? Please help!

I'd no issues selling my home recently with asbestos. The surveyor said exactly as I quoted above. The same as we were told 22 years ago when we purchased it.

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Asbestos mined in Australia is mainly crocidolite, or blue asbestos - it occurs there in vast quantities, and is very dangerous.

Because it is naturally abundant in Australia of course it was used in many more products, including common building materials.

In the UK Chrysotile, or white asbestos, mined in the UK and largely an area of Quebec, Canada, is the most common form.

Wherever it has been mined there have been health issues, but by far the worst impact has been surrounding a town called Wittenoom in Australia, where asbestos is found in dangerous levels in the air through both human activity and natural wind erosion of asbestos bearing rocks.

Ì wouldn't proceed either

I would trust the surveyor (and Google) with regards to the health risks. But I would be very careful about the potential costs of repair should anything happens to that roof.
We had to get rid of asbestos on our garden shed and most quotes were crazy. I did find a much cheaper company in the end, but some wanted 1k+ for just 8 sheets.

Our roof is 100 year old but was deemed "in good condition" on the survey, yet the tiles move and we already had to do some repairs after 2 years. We actually struggled to find someone for the repairs because some roofers wouldn't touch it in fear they would cause more damage.
So that's the only thing I would question: is there any risk of having to fix/replace that roof in the time you own the house? and of yes how much would that cost? Would you need a specialist to do this work?

Hi OP, just wanted to say I feel your pain. I dismissed several properties while I was looking for having artex etc. I was dead set on avoiding any asbestos as I knew I would worry. Recently found out that my general survey and asbestos management survey both failed to notice that the roof of the place I now own is made of asbestos cement tiles. Reading this thread I’m wondering if I’ll ever be able to sell! The trouble is, you can try and do everything right and still get caught out.

@Hollowaysunrise thanks for the solidarity! We’ve been looking at other places online but feel a bit stuck as we really need to be in this area! I did question the roof sheets and the surveyor was quite relaxed about it, said it’s common for a general survey not to have picked it up and that they’re one of the more basic things to remove!! Not sure if that makes you feel any better. It’s stressful though isn’t it, I feel like everyone is going to have something even when you think it doesn’t! Unless you go for a brand new home and there aren’t any in this area.

I grew up near Wittenoom and their port site for exporting of the product. It quickly became a ghost town when people starting getting ill. It is why I would never take the risk if I knew it was there.

Unless you start drilling into it, it isn't going to do any harm.

Just remove it (professionally of course, not yourself). Probably a few thousand pounds. Really not a big deal.

Buy the house, get it removed.

Do you know 100% for certain that where you are living now does not have asbestos? I bet not.

I’d walk away. My FIL died of asbestos related cancer. Terrible stuff.

The school I am Gov at is riddled with asbestos. Most are if built in that era. It’s inspected every year by a school surveyor from the county who always says the same thing - it’s perfectly safe as long as we aren’t planning to break it apart.
just get a survey and check your insurance don’t care. If you planned to do work then it needs proper care to remove it and dispose of it which is expensive.
all that said, if you are of a nervous disposition you’d be better in a new build because any house over a couple of decades old will have something that needs doing.

I wouldn't. You will always feel anxious there.

Agree it depends on the type and where it is. Our water tank is completely made of asbestos - we don't drink water from it as such but do clean our teeth etc. You can 'lick' asbestos or eat/drink it - the danger is when you breathe in the particles.

As PPs have said - many homes and buildings have asbestos in all sorts of places. You just need to know where and be sure to keep safe.

That said - I'm not sure I'd be comfortable with asbestos loft insulation unless it is sealed somehow - and also labelled clearly so no-one drills into it etc. I'd suggest a specialist asbestos report then you will be able to make an informed decision.

I know, I’ve had it done, but the surveyor has already told her that removal isn’t necessary. She’s essentially dealing with an emotional issue around it so a placebo could work.

Going by your answers to peoples suggestions etc it sounds like there is no other thing you can do that will aleave your worries. Seems like you have no other options but to walk away from the purchase. You do however need to keep in mind the fact that any house you look at that was built around the 60s and 70s will almost certainly have some asbestos in it, it was used extensively in all sorts of thing like artex, cladding, and others. Please remember in all of this that you are allowed to have your own worries.

Asbestos is fine if left undisturbed.

Our previous house was a 1970s semi with asbestos sheeting on the garage roof, and possibly even in the artex ceiling. We had the ceiling over-boarded.

Just don't go bashing stuff in the loft. If the expert says it's fine if sealed, then you decide if you're happy with an experts option or not. Are you then going to believe the damp expert too? What if they're wrong? If you're that worried, then buy a house built 2000 onwards.

I'm being pedantic here, but there are far more common things that are far more likely to harm you. I'm assuming neither of you have ever vaped as that would be far more likely to cause you lung issues? Do you vacuum your mattress every couple of months to get rid of dust mites? They can cause all sorts of issues. I'm amazed at how many people don't vacuum their mattress!!

Anxiety about these things is hard, but don't over-think it. Try and look at the bigger picture.

It's affecting your decision to proceed.

The person buying the house from you, may hold similar concerns. Or, there may be a glut of properties on the market and it may devalue your home.

I wouldn't proceed.

It wouldn't put me off buying. As others have said (and your survey) it's secure and the sellers are being co-operative in ensuring it's safe. You're more likely to encounter rogue asbestos in shops than in the house.

I wouldn't say asbestos should be an automatic deal breaker, not least as so many houses have it, but you do need more information. Roofing sheets are one thing but insulation might be quite another. In my opinion, you need a specialist opinion about its safety if left untouched and possible measures to remove it or render it safe, together with costs. Unless your DH is an asbestos specialist, which he obviously isn't, he has no business telling you you're wrong, crazy or being over-anxious about this.

Can you get insurance on a house with asbestos?
Personally I wouldn’t buy it, I would be worried about what future research into asbestos may find.

About half of the uk housing stock has asbestos, you can definitely get insurance.

63% of members who responded are saying 'go ahead' but I wonder how many of them have had personal experience or even I knew a man who knew a man............ I honestly think you should be asking your question on a professional forum. Even if 63% say you should go ahead, I think you will be worried stiff if you do, in any case.