Is this asbestos?

demello

I came across this in the hedge of my house. I am concerned it might be asbestos. It is very thin, rusty on ons side and white (ish) on the other side. It is very brittle and you can tear bits of it easily. It is curved shape, and was lying beside some long rusty iron poles/rods. Does anyone know what it is / could it be asbestos (the neighbour used to be a handyman who has previously removed asbestos pipes etc for people, and I am concerned he left some of it in the hedge).
Thanks in advance.

Sleeper12

Hard to say without seeing a photo but it could be. Its pretty harmless when left alone but dangerous when you start breaking bits off. The dust or very fine particles are the dangerous part

demello

Thanks for reply. I am not allowed to post an image as I am a new user. Aaarrr!
It is very brittle, tin like material. Someone just said to me that they thought that asbestos was supposed to be hard?

coylemj

It is hard in that it can resist pressure but you can easily break bits off it with a basic tool. I wouldn't recommend doing that though as that will release fragments into the air and that's when asbestos becomes dangerous as the dust can cause lung damage when inhaled.

Is it white with no shine to it, like compacted white dust?

demello

Thanks coylemj, could I email you a photo of it?

sky6

It could also be just a piece of plain Plasterboard.

Chemical Byrne

I dunno OP. I could be anything really. Refrain from interfering with it until we have a photo from which to judge it from.

Email someone a photo and they can post it.,,

Is there metal on one side? Like, you said it was rusty......

Is it corrugated, like a wavy pattern?

demello

Thanks Chemical Byrne
Can I email you a photo?

Chemical Byrne

hey.

That's not asbestos. It's a fragment of rusty galvanised sheetmetal. Probably off some old roof sheeting or an old gutter or something.

Don't worry! Chuck it!

dazed+confused

I love when people come to Boards for information that could be crucial to their future health and well being. The amount of time that mods have to remind people not to accept legal or medical advice from the internet is really shocking. Most people wouldn't let a random Boardsie cut their hair, but they're quite happy to let them diagnose angina or identity asbestos!

Chemical Byrne

Ive seen enough of both in my some to know which is which and that is galvanise. Asbestos doent rust.

dodzy

dazed+confused wrote: »

I love when people come to Boards for information that could be crucial to their future health and well being. The amount of time that mods have to remind people not to accept legal or medical advice from the internet is really shocking. Most people wouldn't let a random Boardsie cut their hair, but they're quite happy to let them diagnose angina or identity asbestos!

Isn't Boards just great: a place where people with questions can come and get answers from more knowledgeable folk on issues that affect them

Fixed your post there.

demello

Chemical Byrne - Thanks for that, appreciate it.

Sleeper12

Originally Posted by dazed+confused
I love when people come to Boards for information that could be crucial to their future health and well being. The amount of time that mods have to remind people not to accept legal or medical advice from the internet is really shocking. Most people wouldn't let a random Boardsie cut their hair, but they're quite happy to let them diagnose angina or identity asbestos!

Isn't Boards just great: a place where people with questions can come and get answers from more knowledgeable folk on issues that affect them

dodzy wrote: »

Fixed your post there.

Totally agree. Anyone in the building trade would spot asbestos a mile away. There are great Electricians, Plumbers, tilers etc giving great free advice here. The trick is don't take everyones advice as you do have a lot of people not knowing about something but throwing out guesses.

Its always an idea to look at peoples other comments on their profile. One guy commenting on "bad plumbing" had the OP cut holes in his ceiling. Turns out the plumbing was perfect & the guy suggesting holes in the ceiling had never commented on a plumbing question before. Plumbers will have lots of comments on plumbing, electricians will have lots of comments on electrical.
In short you can get great advice here but you have to be careful as to whos advice you take.

adunkey

Hi

There is a business that shares access to our laneway and it has an asbestos roof (corrugated wavy roof). Is there any way I could get someone out to have a look at it ie the HSA and test the safety of the roof? The fascia is rotten away (he has no gutter) and that's another worry.

I know asbestos is fine once you don't interfere with it but I'm concerned cause the business owner was sweeping moss and dirt off the roof and into our laneway (very considerate). It's not a very profitable business but I would be happy to see it closed and of course the roof removed safely. We have a young family and I don't want this hazard near me.

Any options folks?

Thanks
Adunkey

Sleeper12

adunkey wrote:

There is a business that shares access to our laneway and it has an asbestos roof (corrugated wavy roof). Is there any way I could get someone out to have a look at it ie the HSA and test the safety of the roof? The fascia is rotten away (he has no gutter) and that's another worry.

adunkey wrote:

I know asbestos is fine once you don't interfere with it but I'm concerned cause the business owner was sweeping moss and dirt off the roof and into our laneway (very considerate). It's not a very profitable business but I would be happy to see it closed and of course the roof removed safely. We have a young family and I don't want this hazard near me.

adunkey wrote:

Any options folks?

The answer here is no. It's not illegal to have an asbestos roof. 10s of thousands of coal sheds, outhouses etc built right up to the late 70s or early 80s have asbestos roof. Lots of 4 inch toilet stacks on houses from the same period have them.