Asbestos garage roofs

[Pinklemon]

The house we are looking to buy is an end of terrace. The house ticks all the right boxes but on one side of the house, a few feet away are three garages belonging to neighbours. I haven't had a proper look but I'm worried they could be asbestos roofs. Would you buy the house?

Yes. Presumably not on your land? Loads of old garages will have an asbestos roof. It's only a problem is it gets damaged

That's the problem, the garages belong to the neighbours so I have no control over them if they get damaged. They are not on my land but they are also quite close.

Marking place as have bought a house with a garage with asbestos roof. Have been told its nothing to worry about unless we need a new roof in which case specialist asbestos experts can do the work.

Our house has a garage with an asbestos roof. Don't think they are a problem unless disturbed. They are quite common in houses built around the 50/60 era I think.

We've got one too, but it's in great shape and only needs a couple of bolts replacing. I was also told it's a very low grade of fiberglass, not as dangerous, but any isn't good obviously.

I would seek proper advice start by calling the local HSE as they will point you in the right direction.
If I had one I would go away for the weekend whilst a specialist contractor removed it.
Its bad stuff and we still don't know the full effects and limitations of exposure so be cautious until you are certain

I agree with Zumo. Once upon a time we were told that smoking didn't cause any harm.

BTW fibreglass is not the same as Asbestos.

Actually we already do know a lot about the risks of asbestos as there's been a fair bit of research in this area.

Asbestos garage roofs are only really a problem when they're broken up and dust is released that can then be breathed in, hence the need for specialist removal companies.

There shouldn't be any risk living near one unless it's totally crumbling, which they don't usually do anyway. Also it's not possible to tell it's asbestos just by looking, a specialist company needs to test a bit of it to be certain.

A lot of garages have asbestos roofs, as long as they are intact they are not dangerous. It's only when broken and the fibers are lose in the air.

Not sure what you can do as they are not on your property.

Thanks for all your replies. We are viewing the house one more time tomorrow. I am still a bit concerned living next to such roofs. My dh likes the house and he's not a worrier like me, so he's most likely going to put in an offer. I just don't want to buy the house then spend years regretting it.

its likely the roofs are made with asbestos cement (white asbestos) which is one of the safest forms of asbestos. its only an issue if they are broken up and left lying about otherwise there will be no problems at all with it.

I only know this because we have some asbestos on the inside roof of our porch however we are in the middle of getting the porch replaced. to get the asbestos removed we had to get someone up to test what it was before they would give us a cost for removing it and he told us about the asbestos cement. to make sure I wasn't being led up the garden path I read about it on the hse web site and all seems as I was told.

Whilst we do know a lot about it we still don't know everything.
Fibres are disturbed by people touching it not just cutting, based on my industrial training and experience I wouldn't go near it
In general it tends to be long multiple exposures that cause health issues but cases have been recorded of one exposure causing issues but it is rare.
Remember this is a naturally occurring substance that can be found all around us at lower levels.
It all depends if its going to concern you or not