I had an old stone staircase demolished. The entrance steps to the house. The staircase consisted of several different materials. I'm definitely not an expert, but think of an old stone staircase starting to fall apart. In some places, the material that emerged was very porous, almost like plaster. Possibly the staircase might have been precast. Inside, it consisted of mortar of some kind, mixed with quite large stones. The material was at times very hard and difficult to break apart, so remnants of the staircase remain, broken underneath the wooden staircase I had built on top. I worked hard to transport the demolished material, the stones in the mortar, etc., after breaking it up. It created a lot of dust.
I have become known as asbestos hysterical here on the forum. I still have some concerns about the subject, but I'm not hysterical.
I want to mention that it was NOT me who wrote a thread about asbestos some time ago.
It was a person who described themselves as in very poor mental state, due to their asbestos anxiety. Someone who had sought medical help, with medications, etc. It was NOT me!! Someone in the thread wrote that it might have been me. But NO! It’s not that bad for me. I was a bit upset when I was mentioned in that context.
Now to my question:
Does anyone know if there is a risk that asbestos was mixed into the creation/casting of this type of staircase? I know that asbestos was sometimes mixed into mortar, but what type of mortar and for what purpose?
I also know that asbestos was sometimes mixed into mortar as reinforcement.
If there was asbestos in this staircase, I have certainly inhaled a lot...
But well, what's done is done. Now the question is what I should do with the remaining material from the staircase that still lies under the wooden staircase I built on top?
The wooden staircase has large gaps, and if the material underneath contains asbestos, it could definitely come up with the air. Perhaps one could spray/paint over it with something to bind the fibers?
Or what is the best way to handle it? The remains are too heavy and awkward to remove completely. And I now don't want to be in the material more than necessary. I've already spent too many hours with this, if it turns out to contain asbestos. Some loose material is still remaining.
How likely do you think it is that this staircase contained asbestos?
Should I start by sending it for analysis maybe?
Or simply leave it or spray/paint over the remains?
How would you think and act?
Grateful for good advice!
I have become known as asbestos hysterical here on the forum. I still have some concerns about the subject, but I'm not hysterical.
I want to mention that it was NOT me who wrote a thread about asbestos some time ago.
It was a person who described themselves as in very poor mental state, due to their asbestos anxiety. Someone who had sought medical help, with medications, etc. It was NOT me!! Someone in the thread wrote that it might have been me. But NO! It’s not that bad for me. I was a bit upset when I was mentioned in that context.
Now to my question:
Does anyone know if there is a risk that asbestos was mixed into the creation/casting of this type of staircase? I know that asbestos was sometimes mixed into mortar, but what type of mortar and for what purpose?
I also know that asbestos was sometimes mixed into mortar as reinforcement.
If there was asbestos in this staircase, I have certainly inhaled a lot...
But well, what's done is done. Now the question is what I should do with the remaining material from the staircase that still lies under the wooden staircase I built on top?
The wooden staircase has large gaps, and if the material underneath contains asbestos, it could definitely come up with the air. Perhaps one could spray/paint over it with something to bind the fibers?
Or what is the best way to handle it? The remains are too heavy and awkward to remove completely. And I now don't want to be in the material more than necessary. I've already spent too many hours with this, if it turns out to contain asbestos. Some loose material is still remaining.
How likely do you think it is that this staircase contained asbestos?
Should I start by sending it for analysis maybe?
Or simply leave it or spray/paint over the remains?
How would you think and act?
Grateful for good advice!
Is there really an answer to this question that you would feel comfortable with?Stina71 said:
If it were me, and I genuinely suspected that there was asbestos in the material, I would feel reassured by the fact that all the water passing over the staircase washes the stone clean of loose material and that it is outdoors.
How likely do you think it is that this staircase contained asbestos?
Very low risk.
Should I start by sending it for analysis maybe?
If it calms you, then do it.
Or simply leave it be or spray/paint over the remnants?
Leave it be.
How would you think and act?
This staircase was cast in the cheapest possible way, so why include something that costs money without having any effect on the result.
Thankful for good advice!
You're welcome.
Very low risk.
Should I start by sending it for analysis maybe?
If it calms you, then do it.
Or simply leave it be or spray/paint over the remnants?
Leave it be.
How would you think and act?
This staircase was cast in the cheapest possible way, so why include something that costs money without having any effect on the result.
Thankful for good advice!
You're welcome.
Thanks for the response! Especially the constructive ones.
However, the sprinkler on the steps didn't seem relevant or amusing.
StefanN, did asbestos not have any effect on the result in this case?
I thought the material had a reinforcing function and that’s why it was sometimes mixed into mortar.
That's why I was wondering if it might have been mixed in to create a more durable/reinforced staircase that would last a long time.
Does anyone know what type of mortar is referred to when talking about asbestos sometimes being mixed in?
What type of mortar and purpose?
However, the sprinkler on the steps didn't seem relevant or amusing.
StefanN, did asbestos not have any effect on the result in this case?
I thought the material had a reinforcing function and that’s why it was sometimes mixed into mortar.
That's why I was wondering if it might have been mixed in to create a more durable/reinforced staircase that would last a long time.
Does anyone know what type of mortar is referred to when talking about asbestos sometimes being mixed in?
What type of mortar and purpose?