Asbestos concern

10 years ago

Hi everyone,

Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

I have been renting an old property for almost two years now. I have never had any experience with asbestos due to growing up in a house built after the ban was brought in.

This is my first rental property, and I haven't given asbestos any thought until recently. My major cause for concern is the fact that I have been living among what I am 99.9% sure is asbestos Tilux. There is a large crack in one panel, along with a number of drill holes in a couple of other panels (from what looks like moving the cistern and toilet roll holder, etc). Furthermore, both the pipe from the toilet and washing machine have not been sealed properly.

Now, all of the above were there when I moved in, and I have never touched the holes (aside from recently carefully placing clear seal fix over some holes) or drilled the Tilux myself. I guess my biggest concern is that the vibration from the washing machine may have been releasing fibres from the exposed holes/crack this whole time. All holes look stable, and nothing visible occurred when I placed seal fix over them recently. I haven't noticed a deterioration over time either. There is no grey powder on the floor under the washing machine pipe (aside from cobwebs, cat hair, general dust), and to be honest who knows when I last got behind there!

There are also some little tiles and grout that are cracked and in pieces in the doorway of the bathroom and I'm learning now that this could be asbestos. Naturally I have vacuumed in this area just thinking its basic grouting.

My question is, do you think the risk of living among this is still quite low? I was never informed of asbestos being on the property, otherwise I would have sealed everything up upon moving in, rather than doing it this late in the game. I am currently seeking alternate accomodation to rent.

I feel as though I've been living in one big pit of asbestos this whole time. I'm hoping I'm overreacting significantly.

Thank you in advance for helping me out with this.

Kind regards,

Steph

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

User
10 years ago
Had to look up Tilex.

Asbestos is dangerous because small fibers can be inhaled and remain in the lungs. Asbestos is non organic, meaning it never degrades.

Asbestos containing materials(ACM) are classified in two categories: Friable and non-friable. Friable simply means the ACM can be crushed to a powder by human hands.

Wall board, floor tiles, roofing tar, house shingles and other materials cannot be crushed, so the exposure to asbestos is minimal.

Plus, presently medicine research says it takes years of exposure to friable asbestos to cause health problems.

I was an automotive mechanic for 45 years and regularly worked with brake linings and clutch plate linings containing asbestos. I use pressurized air to clear the dust/debris while replacing those components. Never wore a mask. I also smoked for 40+ years.

My last six(in three years) CT lung scans show zero problem. None.

You have done well in sealing the holes, but I would not worry further.
Steph thanked User
klem1
10 years ago
Oh my gosh,just pick up a test kit from a lab to have it tested. The kit include's instructions a child can understand.
Steph thanked klem1
Related Professionals
Quincy Home Remodeling · Rochester Home Remodeling · Bridgeport Home Remodeling · Napa Home Remodeling · Stockton Home Remodeling · Sarnia Home Remodeling · Evansville Home Builders · Gulfport Home Builders · Oneonta Home Builders · Glenwood Springs Home Builders · Saint George Home Builders · Spanish Fork Home Builders · Modesto Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Durango Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Ogden Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
Steph
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you HandyMac and SaltiDawg (it appears your other comment is gone). I am trying to be sensible and realistic about it all. It isn't as if the holes are crumbling, and I haven't been drilling or sanding myself, just living among some unpatched areas where the asbestos is in the Tilux sheeting.

I think the best solution is to move on from this property to limit potential exposure any further, but not before bringing my concerns to the fore with the real estate. I certainly don't want this to happen to anyone else.

Thanks again :).

Kind regards,

Steph