Can anyone help me with a cieling problem?

Discussion in 'Builders' Talk' started by LP18, Apr 19, 2017.

  1. LP18

    LP18 Member

    Hi.

    We recently had some work done on the roof of our house.
    The problem was sulphur leeching due to an old chimney pot which hadn't been capped off properly.
    The problem had extended into the brickwork, causing the problem seen in the picture below.

    The builders sorted the issue from the roof and dealt with it, and we were then informed that we'd need to put some metallic paper on the walls of the affected room to prevent the problem happening again (apparently you can sort the problem out from the source so that it doesn't continue, but once in the brickwork it has to be maintained).

    This seemed fairly straightforward, though as you can tell, the ceiling paper has bubbled, and to the touch is firm and bulging in parts.
    I'm guessing the plasterboard underneath has been warped and expanded.

    Seen as we're redecorating the room we'll be needing to take off the damaged paper and deal with whatever is underneath.
    What I'll find is what I'm concerned about, and why I came here.

    I read that sometimes they used asbestos based plasterboard in ceilings, so I'm worried about taking that paper away and chrysotile being released into the room.

    What is the likely hood of this? Am I safe to remove this paper?
    The house is 1930s. It was an old people's home in the 80s, so I don't know what kind of alterations were done but it's been kitted out with that in mind (I heard sometimes they even put asbestos in fire doors! :( )

    Thanks a lot!
     

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  2. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Most unlikely plasterboard will contain asbestos.
     
    LP18 likes this.
  3. first lesson is learn how to speel ceiling lol
     
  4. LP, as said above it's very unlikely that the p'board contains asbestos, especially if it's still the original boarding from that time (apparently asbestos started to become a big problem later on). But, of course, if the ceiling was re-boraded at any time since new, then who knows?!

    I wasn't aware that asbestos was actually used in plasterboard sheets as would be fitted to ceilings? It's usually in asbestos-cement boards which is a much stronger and more brittle stuff, and that was mostly used where heat could affect it or as an exterior sheet, not really a general-purpose ceiling board.

    There's nothing in that photo to suggest it's anything except normal p'board. If you have any concerns, however - and this has to be your call only - then take a sample to a lab; no-one on here is going to be able to say decisively that it doesn't have any. I'd also be aware of asbestos removal specialists as they could possibly try and over-egg the situation for their own gain (but perhaps that's unfair - I'd hope that they'd come out, give an assessment, take a sample and then report back honestly).

    I take it you are planning to remove and replace that ceiling and not try and patch it up? Phew - good :)

    This is a useful typical thread on this topic: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/asbestos-in-walls-or-ceilings.18590783/
     
    LP18 likes this.
  5. LP18

    LP18 Member

    Thanks for the replies and links. Seems like it's probably not asbestos based, then.

    Whether it's original or not I do not know.
    I know - as you say and they mention in that link - that in the thirties they didn't use it.
    All the walls are horse hair plaster and presumably the ceiling would be the same, but the fact that the ceiling has bubbled like that would surely mean that at some point after that they've re-done it with plasterboard.

    As I say it had a lot of work done.
    It was an old people's home in the 80s, and then when it changed over to a private dwelling in 1995, they knocked a lot of walls down and so on.
    In that room (and actually in the space the picture was taken) there was a shower room that was knocked out, for example.
     
  6. Yes, very good chance the ceilings were replaced at some point, but still highly unlikely that it contains asbestos - I'm not aware that 'plasterboard' ever did.

    I guess it's possible that, as part of the conversion in to a OPH they may have used asbestos-cement sheets for the roof as a fire break? But, really, what are the chances?! And, if they had, it wouldn't be bulging like that...

    Almost certainly it's ok. But you are the one at the chalk face (literally) so you take the best steps.

    Basically, if it's paper layers with plaster in between, I think I'll lay bets on what it is...
     
    LP18 likes this.
  7. LP18

    LP18 Member

    Well the room in question Used be an emergency exit; it had a fire escape in the back window.
    I don't know whether that makes it more likely that this particular room was kitted out with fire-retardants like asbestos or not.
    Let's hope not!

    I suppose I should be safe to take a look at this ceiling, then.
    How would you go about starting to replace it?
    That's something I've never looked into before.

    Cheers
     
  8. Astramax

    Astramax Super Member

    ..2nd would be do not listen to someone who can't spell....... spell.;)
     
    WillyEckerslike and LP18 like this.
  9. WillyEckerslike

    WillyEckerslike Screwfix Select

    I couldn't decide if that was deliberate or not.....
     
  10. HA HA i was joking dudes
     
  11. Astramax

    Astramax Super Member

    The yokes on you:p:D
     
    LP18 likes this.
  12. BMC2000

    BMC2000 Screwfix Select

    Insulation board can contain asbestos, plasterbaord won't.

    The textured coating (artex) applied over the plasterboard could contain asbestos.
     
    LP18 likes this.
  13. LP18

    LP18 Member

    Right I see. Might I find AIB under there?

    And the coating you see in top is paper. Wood chip I believe, so presumably that's safe.

    Thanks
     
  14. BMC2000

    BMC2000 Screwfix Select

    Wood chip is fine. And yes, I have observed plasterboard over boarded on to AIB. It is possible.
     
  15. LP18

    LP18 Member

    Right :eek: so what would you advise I do here?
     
  16. This is one of the dirtiest jobs in a renovation.

    Do you have a floor covering that you hope to keep? If so, cover it 100%.

    If you want to stop any dust getting through the house, tape over your door gaps.

    Open a window(s).

    Put on some overalls. Make sure they are over all. Goggles are a must. A well-fitting mask even more so.

    Go in. Shut the door. Use summat like a crowbar or wrecking bar or even a spade - anything that'll go through the p'board and then pull it down.

    Enjoy.

    Climb out the window and jump in a lake.

    There is no easy solution - it's gonna be dusty as hell.

    Do you have access to the ceiling from upstairs - ie is the floor up? If so, use a spade from above and strike the p'board close to each joist. Much easier from above.

    Oh, and post some photos...
     
  17. LP18

    LP18 Member

    Haha, sounds like one hell of a job.
    I'm a bit stumped now though after what BMC2000 said.
    I certainly don't want to be smashing away if there is potentially AIB lying underneath the plasterboard...
     
  18. BMC2000

    BMC2000 Screwfix Select

    Go into the attic and look at the board from the attic side. If you don't know what you are looking for get an expert out. Asbestos surveyors are easily found
     
    Deleted member 33931 likes this.
  19. metrokitchens

    metrokitchens Screwfix Select

    Overboard?
     
  20. LP18

    LP18 Member

    Sorry for the **** picture.
    It's not any type of board I don't think. As you can see it's sort of ribbed, like cement.

    Any ideas?

    Cheers
     

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