Bob Minchin wrote:
TheScullster wrote:
Hi all

Does anyone know whether the soffits in 1970s houses tended to contain
asbestos?
Our house is looking well-tatty as all the paint is flaking and
falling off the soffits. They look suspiciously like asbestos boards.
Our neighbours recently had all uPVC replacement stuff. When the
company came to fit these they claimed that they would have to engage
"specialists" to remove the soffits due to asbestos risk.
The specialists arrived and, using nothing more than paper nose/mouth
masks, proceeded to smash out the soffits with hammers!
Surely, if the soffits were high-risk asbestos, a more professional
method should be used. It certainly looked like the ideal way to
release the maximum amount of fibre/debris into the surroundings!
Any comments please?

TIA

Phil

They were bull****ting you. There is minimal danger associated with
asbestos cement products unless you are working with them all day and
everyday. Blue asbestos as used in industrial insulation is the nasty
stuff.

Bob

I have seen enough mesothelioma claims to be wary of asbestos.
Having said that I have an asbestos cement garage roof.
Breaking it with a hammer after wetting is not too serious.
Do not drill it or sand it. As long as it is reasonably sound it should
not be a problem.
Household waste and recycling sites will not take it.