DIY and Asbestos

**BiK3RChiK** · 24th March 2010, 17:44

I got quite a shock yesterday when I asked a mate to come around and check out a caravan we've been given, as it needs re-furbishing and I wanted his opinion since he's in the trade, kind of...

We talk about the chassis and ceiling and lining and then I ask about the lino on the floor. We've already ripped out all the old carpet and started on the roof lining.

He says, don't touch the lino, it's asbestos backed

and you don't even want to go there!... Same thing goes for older houses etc, etc,....

So, if you do DIY, then for goodness sake, get at least some advice from someone in the know... It could end up saving your butt!.... Thanks Mike

**JimO** · 24th March 2010, 17:54

its ok if you leave it alone

**BiK3RChiK** · 24th March 2010, 18:05

For sure, but not if we were going to get the spade and chip it off! That would've been nasty....

Best advice, leave it alone! You're right...

**CookMySock** · 24th March 2010, 18:28

Can't wait to get it sorted, and tow it all around the north island at 70k's lol.

Steve

**Edbear** · 24th March 2010, 18:54

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Can't wait to get it sorted, and tow it all around the north island at 70k's lol.

Steve

G'arn! The Hyosung won't get it up to that speed...

**Smifffy** · 24th March 2010, 19:03

I think I would be inclined to either:
a) ditch it and get one guaranteed asbestos free
b) Cover it over with say a layer of ply or something and then another layer of lino or carpet etc.

No way I'd want it lifting/cracking/peeling esp with kids around. There's a reason work sites remove it even from disused buildings.

What did your mate recommend?

**Maha** · 24th March 2010, 19:12

Asbestos is ok if you dont sand it.
The strange about it is, property owners can remove it, but trades people cannot. Just dont cause dust.
Thats the real concern about Asbestos, the fibre.
It only been in recent years that we (as flooring contractors) are no longer permitted to uplift it.
I dont touch the stuff at all now.

Why do you want/need to remove the old lino?
Can you not just lay some other product over it?

**CookMySock** · 24th March 2010, 19:21

Originally Posted by Maha

Asbestos is ok if you dont sand it.

Can we lick it?

Originally Posted by Maha

Why do you want/need to remove the old lino? Can you not just lay some other product over it?

Yeh pretty much we'll do that.

Steve

**Maha** · 24th March 2010, 19:28

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Can we lick it?

Yeh pretty much we'll do that.

Steve

Its not an ice-creme Steve!......

It aint worth dealing with to be honest.
I know of a bloke who was exposed to Asbestos (pipe lagging) for two weeks on a site.
He contracted Asbestosis and years later died as a result of it.

**BiK3RChiK** · 24th March 2010, 19:29

We aren't going to touch it! We'll be putting a new layer of lino over the top of it. All sorted cause our mate is a flooring specialist

I was just a bit freaked out when he said it was asbestos backed, hence, the heads up to DIY'rs

**Maha** · 24th March 2010, 19:32

A flooring specialist eh?
Yip listen to those guys, they know what they are on about when it comes to Asbestos Backed Vinyl's.

Good luck with the Caravan.....oh and its 80kph when towing aint it Steve?

**AllanB** · 24th March 2010, 19:34

I can remember being 16 or so changing drum brake pads and blowing out all the dust with a good old puff or two - then hand sanding the drum with a bit of emery paper and giving it another good blow .......

Good stuff those old brake linings.

And then there was the time helping dad smash up that old garage coating - that flat crumbly stuff that apparently had asbestos in it .......

Ripped up some 50 year old lino with a spade as well.........

One question. Does everyone's urine glow in the dark?

**Tank** · 24th March 2010, 19:34

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Can't wait to get it sorted, and tow it all around the north island at 70k's lol.

Steve

Swingers roadshow?

**CookMySock** · 24th March 2010, 19:36

Originally Posted by Maha

I know of a bloke who was exposed to Asbestos (pipe lagging) for two weeks on a site. He contracted Asbestosis and years later died as a result of it.

Fuck, thats not flash.

Nah we'll wipe some goo over it and stick down some new shit.

Steve