Hi, after many years of searching, I've found a house I really like. I don't know a lot about houses right now, but I'm trying to learn.
The house has an Eternit roof, and after a quick Google search, I found out that it contains asbestos? I have two small children, so I'm a bit cautious. Built in the '60s. Should one avoid buying the house? Must it be replaced? Can it be left as is? Is it easy to clean?
The house has an Eternit roof, and after a quick Google search, I found out that it contains asbestos? I have two small children, so I'm a bit cautious. Built in the '60s. Should one avoid buying the house? Must it be replaced? Can it be left as is? Is it easy to clean?
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Our house also had an asbestos cement roof when we bought it, it was under a concrete roof. The material asbestos cement is very durable and it's fine to lay a new roof on top of it as was done with our house. You can repair it with fiber cement boards that do not contain asbestos if it breaks.
It is not dangerous as long as it stays in place, it's when you possibly saw into it and/or break a board that the dangerous asbestos dust is released.
So, I don't think it's a reason not to buy the house.
It is not dangerous as long as it stays in place, it's when you possibly saw into it and/or break a board that the dangerous asbestos dust is released.
So, I don't think it's a reason not to buy the house.
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However, you should account for the need to replace the roof in the not too distant future. The roof is likely at least 50 years old, and although eternit lasts a long time, it doesn't last forever. The fact that there is asbestos in the tiles could be a cost-increasing factor when replacing or doing other work on the roof.
One thing to keep in mind is that eternit weathers a bit over time, so asbestos fibers may collect in the soil closest to the house. So you might not want the children playing in the soil in the flower beds there... or let them use an angle grinder on the roof. Otherwise, eternit does no harm as long as it stays where it is. It shouldn't be a major problem to take it down if you do it yourself, but hiring someone to handle it can be expensive.
We had asbestos cement on our roof when we bought the house. After about 7 years, I removed the asbestos and replaced it with a metal roof. There is no reason not to buy the house from the children's point of view, but expect to have to redo the roof in the near future.
We have a holiday home on the Halland coast, built around 1960.D dabbeimba said:
With a roof similar to this:
So it has been there for over 60 years and still works perfectly fine!
Hello
Here, too, we had asbestos on both the roof and facade. Built in 1965. Over the years, we have gradually replaced both the roof and facade.
No major extra cost to replace. Where we live (Karlskrona), we rented a container when we replaced the roof. I tore it down myself with proper clothing and a mask. As mentioned, it doesn't produce dust if you're careful and don't saw into it.
Approximate cost 2500:- for a full 10 cubic meter.
I took down the facade one side at a time and placed it in plastic bags and took it to the landfill where they buried it as waste. Free of charge since it was such small amounts at a time.
Some neighbors still have the original roof. 57 years old and still holding.
Here, too, we had asbestos on both the roof and facade. Built in 1965. Over the years, we have gradually replaced both the roof and facade.
No major extra cost to replace. Where we live (Karlskrona), we rented a container when we replaced the roof. I tore it down myself with proper clothing and a mask. As mentioned, it doesn't produce dust if you're careful and don't saw into it.
Approximate cost 2500:- for a full 10 cubic meter.
I took down the facade one side at a time and placed it in plastic bags and took it to the landfill where they buried it as waste. Free of charge since it was such small amounts at a time.
Some neighbors still have the original roof. 57 years old and still holding.
Hello,
I shouldn't have bought the house. You can be sure that there is asbestos in many more places in the house than just the roof. Before the dangers of asbestos were known, it was considered a super material used in many places. Common around water pipes, electrical wires, behind electrical cabinets, in black floor adhesive, in window putty, in floor tiles, as reinforcement in plaster, as fire protection in fireplaces, and more.
Personally, I wouldn't expose my children to the risk of getting cancer in 20 years (it only takes a single tiny asbestos fiber to end up in the wrong place to develop cancer).
I really hope you find another house you like!
Go for something built after '82 when asbestos was banned
Or build new, that's what we ended up doing when we got tired of looking...
I shouldn't have bought the house. You can be sure that there is asbestos in many more places in the house than just the roof. Before the dangers of asbestos were known, it was considered a super material used in many places. Common around water pipes, electrical wires, behind electrical cabinets, in black floor adhesive, in window putty, in floor tiles, as reinforcement in plaster, as fire protection in fireplaces, and more.
Personally, I wouldn't expose my children to the risk of getting cancer in 20 years (it only takes a single tiny asbestos fiber to end up in the wrong place to develop cancer).
I really hope you find another house you like!
Go for something built after '82 when asbestos was banned Or build new, that's what we ended up doing when we got tired of looking...
I just have to say that it's a really bad idea to build in eternit boards under a new roof! Firstly, you can't attach a new roof without asbestos fibers coming loose, and secondly, it becomes hidden and can be damaged accidentally by someone who doesn't know there's asbestos hidden underneath!
Asbestos is a manageable issue. I've personally removed pipe insulation, Eternit boards, boards behind electrical panels, etc. With common sense, caution, and thoroughness, it is not a problem. There is asbestos in almost every house before '82-'83. No danger if it is left untouched or if it is removed in the right way.
The most dangerous thing is not finding out what you're tearing down when you're carrying out a project. Removing Eternit roofs or facades is an easier cleanup. It is worse with tile adhesive, grout, glue, etc.
But if you're going to worry, there are more things to consider. PAH, PCB, formaldehyde, radon, blåbetong, mold. New houses aren't always good, see for example single-step sealed facades... Myresjö year 2000...
Unfortunately, the problems appear later, so today's houses may contain other toxins that we don't know about yet.
Buy the house if you like it, but leave the roof alone until it's time to replace it. When washing, larger amounts of fibers are guaranteed to be released than by weather and wind. When replacing, I recommend removing the old Eternit and not building in the problem.... It is usually not a major extra cost to take down the Eternit when replacing a roof.
The most dangerous thing is not finding out what you're tearing down when you're carrying out a project. Removing Eternit roofs or facades is an easier cleanup. It is worse with tile adhesive, grout, glue, etc.
But if you're going to worry, there are more things to consider. PAH, PCB, formaldehyde, radon, blåbetong, mold. New houses aren't always good, see for example single-step sealed facades... Myresjö year 2000...
Unfortunately, the problems appear later, so today's houses may contain other toxins that we don't know about yet.
Buy the house if you like it, but leave the roof alone until it's time to replace it. When washing, larger amounts of fibers are guaranteed to be released than by weather and wind. When replacing, I recommend removing the old Eternit and not building in the problem.... It is usually not a major extra cost to take down the Eternit when replacing a roof.
This paranoia about asbestos! People smoke, live in cities and breathe in exhaust fumes, rubber, and asphalt particles without problems. But a single asbestos particle is a death sentence. Think back when the brakes on cars, trains, and subways were made of asbestos and it filled the air. Did people drop like flies?
But please, don't spread your paranoia as if it were facts.R Rödmyran said:Hi,
I wouldn't have bought the house. You can be sure that there is asbestos in many more places in the house than just the roof. Before the dangers of asbestos were known, it was considered a super material used everywhere. Common around water pipes, electrical wires, behind electrical cabinets, in black floor adhesive, in window caulk, in floor tiles, as reinforcement in plaster, as fire protection in tiled stoves, and so on.
Personally, I wouldn't expose my children to the risk of getting cancer in 20 years (it only takes one small asbestos fiber to end up in the wrong place to develop cancer)
I really hope you find another house you like!
Or build new, that's what we eventually did when we got tired of searching...
To TS, yes, you can be scared and stupid.
My advice is not to listen to those who talk this way.
1 asbestos fiber
Link to some reading if you want to delve into dangerous substances that can be found in houses....
http://dmh.nu/wp-content/uploads/Farliga-Hus-PDF.pdf
https://www.vvsforum.se/2020/12/hans-pappa-och-farfar-dog-av-asbest/
https://www.vvsforum.se/2020/12/manga-tror-att-asbestfaran-ar-over/
You don't have to be terrified but it's always good to have knowledge so you can make better assessments before starting a renovation at home....
Regarding TS's question, I may not remember it completely right but I think the asbestos content in eternit is 8-12%, the rest is cement.
http://dmh.nu/wp-content/uploads/Farliga-Hus-PDF.pdf
https://www.vvsforum.se/2020/12/hans-pappa-och-farfar-dog-av-asbest/
https://www.vvsforum.se/2020/12/manga-tror-att-asbestfaran-ar-over/
You don't have to be terrified but it's always good to have knowledge so you can make better assessments before starting a renovation at home....
Regarding TS's question, I may not remember it completely right but I think the asbestos content in eternit is 8-12%, the rest is cement.
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You should mainly consider whether you might want to demolish the house or put a new roof on it in the future. If the roof is in good condition and you feel confident that demolition/renovation won't become relevant, you can certainly buy the house.D dabbeimba said:
Unfortunately, asbestos is a good breeding ground for moss. The moss "grows into" the asbestos and can be difficult to remove. I would not recommend either mechanical scraping or pressure washing, due to the risk of spreading asbestos fibers in the surroundings. But from your photo, it appears this roof has no moss (it mostly grows where the roof gets some shade during the day). If it's just discoloration, without moss or other growth, you should consider if you can live with it (if the answer is "no," maybe you should pass on this house).
If the house is to be demolished or if the roof needs to be redone: can you imagine taking down the old roof yourself? It's fairly easy and relatively safe as long as you don't break the roof tiles causing dust. Just find out in advance what rules and fees the municipality has for the disposal of the tiles. I don't know exactly how much this can vary from municipality to municipality—in my area, asbestos-containing waste must be wrapped in plastic, and it costs 3 SEK per kilo to dispose of it.
However, if you want to hire someone to take down an asbestos roof, it will be expensive—due to occupational handling of asbestos-containing materials being surrounded by strict safety regulations, making the work take a long time and requiring extensive protective equipment for those performing it.