Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas?

[365drills]

I have an asbestos tank in the loft that will have to be removed before a loft converstion. Have you any ideas how I would go about this.

I was told to wrap it in loads and loads of polythene bags, then hit it with a sledge hammer so that it can pass through the loft hatch.

Do you think its asbestos? (Built 1961)

What advice is there

 

[Destroyer2813]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

Best bet wrap it in loads of polyethylene and when a section of roof comes of lift it out in one piece and have despised of then

 

[SimonG]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

Aye wrap it in plastic and wait until there's a hole big enough to get it out in one go. If you wrap it and hit it you can guarantee you'll split the polythene.

 

[AWheating]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

i agree, def dont try and break it up. especially as you cant remove the tank connections which may cause a hole in any bag put around it when moved. If all else fails get it removed by a company.

 

[365drills]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

CHEERS FOR THAT

I did wonder about whacking it - (didnt sound right to me) But the way it was sold to me was that this is all quite normal

I assumed there might be some sort of kit to do it - But I guess not !!!

 

[AWheating]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

well you need to be qualified and have specialist equipment to start doing anything that would cause the material to breakdown when removing it tbh. Not really worth risking the health of yourself and your family.

most plumbers just cut the pipework to it and leave it in the loftspace like its been done in this loft.There are plenty of people out there that would be happy to break it up. I always insist on a company come in and test/remove. cant put a cost on your health imo.

 

[365drills]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

Yes agreed on that one. My guess is that when the contactors break through to fit the doormer thats the time to be removing it, through the opening.

The downside is that its going to be sitting up there getting in the way of the preperation stage. And a potential knock hazard.

My thoughts were what happens if the intallers bash into the tank while putting in the steels, or cutting etc.

But hey maybe we need to talk about it with them too.

( I always like to use the forums to get extra opininions) This will not be a substitue to talking to the contractors.

Just want all my ducks in a row - so to speak.

 

[snowhead]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

The loft converter (builder) is going to want a large access hole pretty early, they won't be climbing up an internal loft ladder, most likely scaffold outside to a hole where the window will be.

 

[shezzaar]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

strictly speaking you should get a 'asbestos specialist' in to get it, but who does that i dont know (currently training 😛) but yeah, I agree with everyone else wrap it up, with anything you can find, and then put it through a hole in the roof.

 

[lame plumber]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

needs to be double bagged before contractors go near it really, then pop it in your car to go to nearest dump that accepts asbestos, council will tell you where. spray with water before handling and wear a respirator

 

[TimeServed]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

I've got 2 tanks to remove from an airing cupboard tomorrow. I'll disconnect and place them out side but I've already advised the customer to arrange an 'asbestos disposal expert'!

 

[secret squirrel]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

Like most people I leave them in the loft, I had to remove an asbestos garage I spoke to my local rubbish collector a bloke who does it professionaly and he dismantled it and took it to the local dump that took the damn stuff, I even got a copy of the certificate of disposal!

All for £500, I was over the moon, not a respirator in site though when they dismantled it.

Here we go queue loads of replies about different types and risks of asbestos and that it was in artex back in the day.....

 

[365drills]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

Something I was wondering is could there be a test to see if it IS asbestos... How would I even know? Or is the photo obvious. (that it is)

Agree it seems once you mention the word suddenly a lot of people get jumpy or talk ££££££££

I dont want to underestimate the risks or the task (Want to do the right thing) Just making sure I am asking all the right questions.

Maybe I need to buy this kit for £39.99 (Testiing kit)

 

[SafeGasInstall]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

it does not LOOK like asbestos tank !!! pls post another picture

 

[lame plumber]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

to tgest it you need to break bits off!!! to certify which type of asbestos it needs to be exmined microscopicaly to id the fibre type, a kit cant do that. Hence why disposal companies owners run around in aston martins. When I had a school boiler house stripped of blue asbestos lagging it took a week and £12k to pay for the work!!

 

[Best]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

Maybe a stupid question, but
Is the trap door opening not big enough? (perhaps with the timber around it removed to bring back to full size?)
That old tank looks about 2' x 2' maybe at it's end.

 

[Killy Bing]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

If its going to be a loft conversion, one of the first things you will do is make the stairway entrance, take it out then.

 

[Mike Jackson]

it does not LOOK like asbestos tank !!! pls post another picture

Looks like asbestos cement to me.

 

[jam1979]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

if that's a f+e tank for the central heating what are the 2 taps for its 2 small to be a cwsc

 

[PlumbBobBob]

Re: Asbestos water tank in loft how do i remove it before loft conversion - any ideas

if that's a f+e tank for the central heating what are the 2 taps for its 2 small to be a cwsc

look at the second picture, that stack of chairs is quite high imho