Asbestos - when should we be worried?

[Renovirgin2018]

Hi All. Just looking to pick some brains as the world wide web is spinning my brain!

We have recently moved in to a 1930s semi. Our homebuyers said 'Artex ceilings could contain asbestos' now I know this is the surveyor covering himself but my husband is in a panic.

My daughter managed to pull down the curtain rail from her ceiling, leaving a big hole. Hubby is concerned that the (potential) asbestos has been disturbed and that our daughter could now be in danger. He realises it is unlikely but still a possibility (iyswim).

My argument is that none of the (maybe 15) workmen that we have had round to quote, for a range of works, have even mentioned asbestos. Surely, as some of these will be drilling walls and ceilings, they would have said something if it was a real risk??

Can anyone advise or point me in the direction of facts?

You can ask a company to come round and take a sample or you can buy kits online that are simple to use. May help put your mind at rest or flag that it's something you need to deal with.

@wishingitwasfriday thank you

We have just have asbestos (artex removed). We have someone to come out and assess it. The hallway had Abesto but the bedroom did not. They said as long as I was undisturbed it (artex) would not pose a risk. All the plasters we spoke to wanted the abestos removed and they would not just skim over it. It was a very mess job having it removed but not as expensive as I was expecting.

OP we had a thread all about asbestos last month you might find useful:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/3538433-omg-i-did-not-know-this-did-you

I work in an asbestos testing lab. I'd suggest you find one (make sure they are UKAS qualified) and contact them to get a sample tested.

Cheapest way is to damp the area involved and take a sample - digging down through all layers of covering. Double bag it (resealable sandwich bags are perfect and send/take it in. It should cost about £25 to get 1 sample tested with results back possibly the same day.

You could of course arrange for someone to come and take the sample.

You are right in that surveyors will cover themselves. and any good workman will be aware of any potential asbestos (some just go ahead regardless!!)

HTH

Sorry to derail, someone recently told me that it’s illegal to send an asbestos sample through the post, but that everyone does it anyway? @over50andfab do you know if that’s true?

This might indeed be true @Leatherface, but the samples should be securely bagged and packed so as to pose no risk, by whatever mode of delivery. someone who tries to bring in a sample does not get past the front door with it being double bagged. Health and Safety is taken very seriously - by properly qualified people of course!

For some reason I wasn't notified to these responses so only just seen them. Thank you for the replies.

@over50andfab really useful info, thank you

No probs OP 😀