Asbestos roofing sheets

[chateaubriant]

One of the properties we looked at had asbestos roof sheets covered by loose hip roofing tiles.

Would the asbestos have been picked up in the French sellers survey?

Could it have be left as is or does it need removing?

[PaulT]

Are you sure they are asbestos sheets and not cement sheets?

The only way of being sure is by a laboratory testing them.

s there now an asbestos test as part of the sales process? Presumably if there is then surely the report should include the laboratory test results.

[Frederick]

[quote user="chateaubriant"]One of the properties we looked at had asbestos roof sheets covered by loose hip roofing tiles.

Would the asbestos have been picked up in the French sellers survey?

Could it have be left as is or does it need removing?[/quote]

I have an outbuilding roof just as you describe . Its been there years  its had some new roof tiles  put on apart from that ....I do not touch it . There are plenty of these roofs about

[chateaubriant]

The seller said they thought they were asbestos.

The sheets were on the main building, so living accommodation.

[PaulT]

Thoughts mean nothing......

On our French property there are sheets that I thought may well contain asbestos. I took a piece back to the UK and was fortunate that I could ask the asbestos consultant that my company employed to have it analysed. Only then was it revealed 'no asbestos content'.

Some pieces broke off in a high wind and I need to take them to the dechetterie and have translated the English report in to French for when challenged. However, dumping some items on Friday and one of the departments vehicles pulled in and off loaded some bits of sheet that may well have contained asbestos - so I take it that news of asbestos related diseases have not yet reached dept 31!

[NormanH]

I recently bought a property and the presence and state of asbestos was one of the things mentioned.

For example two downpipes which 'need to be checked' periodically.

[ventodue]

[quote user="PaulT"] <snip>  ...so I take it that news of asbestos related diseases have not yet reached dept 31![/quote]

Not so far from the truth there, Paul.  The whole issue of asbestos - its historic use, its handling today and the on-going reponsibility for any compensation payments to people made ill by it; and for the environmental clean-up around the mines and factories, is a controversial and still unresolved problem here in France.

The background to this is the fact that France was both a major global  producer and user of asbestos (amiante) for many years.  For example, between 1930 and 1965 the mine and factory at Canari in Corsica was the biggest in Europe.  Abandoned for 50 years, the road and the beaches around were regularly covered with asbestos dust and particles left over from the old operation.  The site's 5-year 'restoration' has recently finished, at a cost of 'at least ...' €11 million.  (Except they've just found it's leaking again ...)

Go (for example):

http://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/corse/2013/04/22/visite-du-chantier-de-securisation-de-l-ancienne-usine-d-amiante-de-canari-239187.html

http://www.corsematin.com/article/bastia/ancienne-mine-de-canari-le-long-chemin-vers-la-rehabilitation.1423915.html

[ventodue]

To get back to chateaubriant's original questions:

[quote user="chateaubriant"]1.  Would the asbestos have been picked up in the French sellers survey? [/quote]

Yes, in theory (at least).  Here's a résumé, in plain French [:)] of what should happen these days*::

"Diagnostic amiante : obligatoire en cas de vente ou de démolition

En cas de vente d'une habitation dont le permis de construire a été délivré avant le 1er juillet 1997:

i) Le propriétaire/vendeur doit disposer d'un diagnostic amiante au plus tard au moment de la signature de la promesse de vente;

ii) Cette obligation vaut pour les maisons individuelles, comme pour les appartements."

* The founding legislation is Décret n° 2011-629 du 3 juin 2011.

But bear in mind what Paul said: diagnosing the presence of asbestos is not always simple and, as in the UK, many so-called experts don't have the necessary knowledge.  So anything that looks like asbestos sheeting will be called, 'asbestos sheeting' [8-)].

[quote user="chateaubriant"] 2.  Could it have be left as is or does it need removing?[/quote]

Yes, it should be left; and no, it does not need removing.  Left alone, asbestos sheeting is not dangerous.  It only becomes so (and then only slightly ..)  when it is moved.  What happens is that fibres- and it's the fibres that are dangerous - can become loose when sheets are moved or broken up.

Do, however, be aware that, when or if its removal does become necessary (nothing lasts for ever ...), then this should be done - that is, if done legally - by specialists.  And we all know what specialists like to charge ...[:-))]

HTH

Craig

[chateaubriant]

Thanks again for peoples input.

It appears that our original property may fall through so this one now heads a list.

So the owners thinks it's asbestos, I think it maybe asbestos. It may or may not be highlighted in the diagnostic survey. It appears the only way might be for a roof survey that I pay for.

As to leaving it alone, I believe by the look of it, it maybe more than 40+ years old.

I think the buildings were farm outbuildings converted to domestic use many years ago.

The original roof was just covered with loose tiles.

Because the tiles are loose means that they move very slightly damaging the 'asbestos sheets' beneath.

I think they should be replaced if 'asbestos sheets'.

Anyone any idea, leaving aside the safe removal of the 'asbestos sheets', how much to renew/replace about 160 sq. mtrs. of single storey foof?

[idun]

Surely the asbestos report must show it all especially if it is under the tiles on the roof where you would live. Otherwise why do it?

If you don't fancy checking up properly then look for somewhere else. No point in being worried about something that can be so dangerous.

[Sprogster]

My French house was built in

1995 and asbestos was used in the roof and highlighted in the survey, when I purchased it. When I

enquired I was told that asbestos was used extensively in French house construction

until 1996, especially in forest fire risk areas such as the Var. Apparently,

if undisturbed it presents no health risk, but its existence is flagged in

house surveys so that future owners are aware and can forewarn tradesman who may

work on the house.

 

[Frederick]

[quote user="chateaubriant"]Thanks again for peoples input.

It appears that our original property may fall through so this one now heads a list.

So the owners thinks it's asbestos, I think it maybe asbestos. It may or may not be highlighted in the diagnostic survey. It appears the only way might be for a roof survey that I pay for.

As to leaving it alone, I believe by the look of it, it maybe more than 40+ years old.

I think the buildings were farm outbuildings converted to domestic use many years ago.

The original roof was just covered with loose tiles.

Because the tiles are loose means that they move very slightly damaging the 'asbestos sheets' beneath.

I think they should be replaced if 'asbestos sheets'.

Anyone any idea, leaving aside the safe removal of the 'asbestos sheets', how much to renew/replace about 160 sq. mtrs. of single storey foof?[/quote]

It is not that  much of a job with a single storey building to board it over and re tile  Your neighbors will soon come up with somebody who will do it for you that is local if you want to ask them ... Take your measurements to somebody like these and they will help you to cost up the materials 

 http://www.pointp.fr/          That will give you some idea towards cost ... Back in the spring  two guys working  from the bucket of one of those long arm fork lifts they most likely hired  got all materials up and re boarded out aand tiled  reasonable sized  building in my road in two days.   Good luck !  

[ventodue]

[quote user="Sprogster"] <snip> I was told that asbestos was used extensively in French house construction until 1996 ...[/quote]

 

You were told right! [:)]. Asbestos was banned in France by the décret n^o 96-1133 du 24 décembre 1996.

 

[quote user="Sprogster"]Apparently, if undisturbed it presents no health risk, but its existence is flagged in house surveys so that future owners are aware and can forewarn tradesman who may work on the house.[/quote]

 

And (basically) correct again [:)]!