Hypochondria and asbestos

[NeverGoingToGiveYouUpButIMayLetYouDown]

The survey for the property that we want to buy does not look good.

Indoor ceilings, plus garage ceiling, have a textured finish, which has asbestos in it, most likely. 1970s built house.

Garage ceiling has water damage.
Indoor ceilings have been disturbed, so if asbestos is present, it could be everywhere in the air.

I can get approved Asbestos professionals in to survery the property entirely and quote on asbestos removal, but I am flummoxed as to whether to pull out or not.

I have hypochondria so get overly worried about life as it is...do you fully trust that asbestos can be entirely removed? It is our dream property.

Honestly, if you are this worried, you’re probably better off getting the company in to remove all traces of asbestos rather than chancing it in a different house which could have any number of nasties in it which you’d not know about. Loads of houses, even hospitals have a bit of asbestos in. It’s fine unless it’s disturbed

Do not, whatever you do, ignore your concerns now. All that will happen is you'll manage to put them out your mind for a bit but they'll keep popping up and tainting your enjoyment of the house. So get whatever survery it is you want to give your peace of mind.

Yes, proper asbestos removal will get rid of it in full - as long as they are told where to look for it. And that requires a Refurbishment and Demolition level survey if you really want it eradicated.

It's a highly regulated industry with significant testing required before, during and after licensed work can take place.

It is also £££££ when you get into any real scale of work.

Most of the asbestos you're talking about will likely be chrysotile which can be removed by non-licensed contractors, but if you want provenance, you'll want to get a licensed company to talk you through testing, removal processes and how they guarantee it's gone. Companies can use negative air pressure enclosures (they build them) to ensure no escape of particles. But that's big money and isn't legally required for chrysotile work.

If you are worried, ask for a rough quote from any licensed asbestos removal company as a guideline.

Ceilings are very low risk. I know this because I contacted an asbestos company about my own in a previous house. If it's your dream house, pay for an asbestos survey, but the things you mention are not worrying.

For context, in my house there are asbestos floor tiles hiding under another floor that you wouldn't see if you were just viewing. Also, the previously mentioned ceiling is still there but now covered by another ceiling and most textured coatings are plastered over. If it's your dream house I would go for it. The ceiling might not even contain asbestos.

Ceilings aren't really as awful as green or brown asbestos. We have them, we've done work before we knew so have disturbed them moving walls and fitting lights. If it's a cause of stress I'd get a full asbestos survey and removal quote.