Asbestos flue on Warm Air

northeastsun · Dec 24, 2014

I recently called a local gas engineer to service my warm air heating and issue a new gas safety certificate.
One of the engineers put a smoke pellet into the heating system and looked into the loft.
He came down saying there was some smoke escaping into the loft from the flue somewhere in the flue joints and that the flue is asbestos and must be removed and replaced in order to issue a certificate.
The engineers said they can arrange an asbestos removal firm they know who can remove it and that after they would put a new flue running from the warm air heater to the roof.

I didn't see the asbestos flue when they were looking but the property was built in the early 70's and when I had the warm air unit replaced in 2007 (different installer) it was attached to the existing flue so I would imagine its highly probable that the flue does indeed contain asbestos.
If there is indeed smoke coming from somewhere like the joints in the flue might it be safer to seal the joints with something?

I am a bit concerned as there are people living in the property and I thought asbestos should generally not be disturbed.
Does anyone have any opinions as to whether this should be removed and replaced or its it best to arrange for the joints on the existing flue to be checked and sealed?

Merry Christmas

tamz · Dec 28, 2014

We used rhone bolts and penny washers :smile:

I agree there is no need for people to take risks anymore as we did through lack of knowledge.
All the information is out there for free if you look. Here is a good place to start. Lots of stuff on here.
HSE - Asbestos: Asbestos essentials

northeastsun · Jan 24, 2015

Thanks for the replies, I ended up getting a 2nd opinion from a gas engineer who had been practicing for a good while who felt that it was a bad idea to replace the flue without getting a specialist to confirm that it is indeed asbestos although given the date of build it could well be. He checked the flue and felt that any joint leaks could be sealed safely as it was structurally sound.
I was a little concerned about the first contractors asbestos removal guys originally as the first engineer said they like to stay anonymous and refuse to deal with the end client (property owners) leading me to suspect that it might end up in a farmers field, it happens regularly around my area too which is close to the town centre. So feel better to have err'd on the side of caution.