Does this look like asbestos to you?

Discussion in 'Renovation & Home Improvement' started by mini2, 30th Dec, 2015.

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  1. mini2

    mini2 Well-Known Member

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  2. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    I'd say treat it as asbestos unless tests show otherwiese

    The Y-man
     
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  3. gman65

    gman65 Well-Known Member

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    Yep..
     
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  4. mini2

    mini2 Well-Known Member

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    It's the pink one or both? Thanks :)
     
  5. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    As a *very* general rule, asbestos sheeting is not something you use for the heck of it unless there is a reason - it did cost more than other alternatives. So tile backings are often asbestos, as they withstand damp conditions better. But it's unlikely to be used in a ceiling unless it was subject to water (eg under the eaves) or heat/fire (boiler room).

    The Y-man
     
  6. Random Username

    Random Username Well-Known Member

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    How old is the house?

    Both pics look like paper backed plasterboard to me.

    Was there anything between the tiles and the green wall?

    The green wall has small patches of white, is this "powdery" can it be dented with a fingernail?
     
  7. willair

    willair Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    By the looks it may be both,and just looking at that also be a termite tracks ..
     
  8. mini2

    mini2 Well-Known Member

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    No idea how old is the house, I guess it was built sometime in the 70's?

    There wasn't anything between the tiles and the green wall. Hardly any tiles adhesive left on the tiles if that matters. The powdery stuff on the green wall isn't that powdery, when I scrape it off it just peels off almost like oil based paint.
     
  9. hobo

    hobo Well-Known Member

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    I'm not seeing anything that looks like termite tracks, willair - which photo, and where?
     
  10. mini2

    mini2 Well-Known Member

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    Not the pink/ceiling, I don't think. I've checked the green dryboard/tile wall and there doesn't seem to be any mud tracing or holes suggesting termite movements either.

    Still panicky though as the bathroom nearby did suffer from termite damage some years ago and no further re-inspection or treatment have been done since.
     
  11. Random Username

    Random Username Well-Known Member

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    Can you dent the sheets with a fingernail??

    The brown mark beside the second tile up on the RH side does look a bit "termitey" or it could be a different tile adhesive.
     
    Last edited: 30th Dec, 2015
  12. mini2

    mini2 Well-Known Member

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    Nope can't dent the sheets with a fingernail unlike the gyprocks in other parts of the house - that confirmed they're asbestos dryboard of sort? No biggie, will just need to leave them alone.

    The brown mark appears to be really dried out glue residue which can be scraped off easily.
     

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  13. Random Username

    Random Username Well-Known Member

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    Ok going on a 70s house and if it can't be dented like plasterboard, I would suspect it probably has asbestos in it.
     
  14. Marg4000

    Marg4000 Well-Known Member

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    1970s Bathrooms and laundries usually had asbestos sheeting behind tiles. To be safe, have it tested.
    Marg
     
  15. mini2

    mini2 Well-Known Member

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    Thanks all - will get it tested and stick the tiles back on then call it a day.
     
  16. Marg4000

    Marg4000 Well-Known Member

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    Put a coat of sealer on any bare patches.
    Marg