Asbestos Removal

It's mid-Jun 2014

Safeline Environmental arrive to take out the asbestos first thing in the morning so it's been an early start to get over to The Fleepit in time.

I've set up garden chairs, a table, & tea-making facilities in the garage. They have a good look round to check what the plan is and wave me off. I leave them to it.

That afternoon I get a phone call. There are actually 2 layers of asbestos sheets, one either side of the original panels. The internal one can be removed easily but the outer one, between the timber frame and the brick outer layer, can't be removed without dismantling the whole house. We agree that they go ahead with removing the internal layer and that we'll assess the situation once that's done.

2 days later, we arrive at The Fleepit as Safeline are clearing up. It's a hot day and they've been cloistered in sealed rooms to contain the asbestos so they're ready to sign off. The bungalow has been thoroughly cleaned and vacuumed and we get the certificate to say so.

Finally we can see how the bungalow has been constructed.

In the photo above, you can see the panels that have been slotted into a timber frame. Each panel is 2 layers of asbestos concrete sheet fixed to a wood border, enclosing a mixture of straw and cement. 

Close up of internal cement/straw
with a lens cap for scale

When they were originally constructed, the panels would have been manufactured off-site and assembled really quickly. A brilliant solution to the housing needs of the time. Not only was asbestos weather-proof, it was fire-proof too. Not banned in the UK until 1999, it was hailed as a wonder material when first discovered.

As agreed, the lounge ceiling has been removed and we can see the spider's web of wiring as well as the lack of a proper support beam across the extension gap!

Now we know what's there, we need to consider options. Removing the outer layer of asbestos sheet is not possible without demolishing the house and we've not got the budget for a total rebuild. Time to get Simon the builder round.