Would you move into a house where asbestos has been found in the textured ceiling coating, especially where these ceilings have been drilled into for spotlights and light fittings?

Is there anything that can be done to cover or seal it all in?

Presumably you are referring to Artex Compound?
Pre 1978 Artex contain trace asbestos in the mix which in quantity spells about as much risk danger of the ceiling falling on your head and killing you.
Any Artex ceiling that has been emulsioned will reduce any risk to absolute zero.
If your still that concerned about the risk then skim coat plaster the ceiling after applying a sealing coat of upva bonding.
Mel.

Thanks for your advice Melboy.

The house was built in the early 80's. It has lacked a bit of TLC over the years, and has been used for rental.

Although it's described as low risk asbestos, it's had to know if it's worthwhile going through with the purchase. If the textured ceiling coating has been up there all this time, wouldn't it deteriorate over the years and particles float around in the air? It has had diy by being cut open to fit spotlights and fitting lighting. Would this mean the asbestos has ben exposed?

I'm not sure I can afford to skim over all the ceilings including the hallway.

Another problem I have is that it has a ground level flat roof extension built 8 yrs ago that had a building notice submitted to the council, but it wasn't signed off after being completed. It could be a simple matter of calling out the council to sign off the completion apart from the concern they find something wrong with it which is a possibility.

My survey indicated that the walls were not vertical - they bow outward towards the top of the wall. I've had the wall ties checked which appear to be fine. The building notice showed the foundations are 1.2 metres deep by 60cm wide on a sandy clay. It will probably need a structural survey.

It's a nice house, but it's hard to decide whether to proceed and advice regarding asbestos and building regs etc would be really appreciated.

quote:

Originally posted by MELBOY:
Presumably you are referring to Artex Compound?
Pre 1978 Artex contain trace asbestos in the mix which in quantity spells about as much risk danger of the ceiling falling on your head and killing you.
Any Artex ceiling that has been emulsioned will reduce any risk to absolute zero.
If your still that concerned about the risk then skim coat plaster the ceiling after applying a sealing coat of upva bonding.
Mel.

Good advice

I recently tried to skim an old artexed ceiling, but didn't PVA seal it(normally do this on the walls so I don't know why I didn't on the ceiling). The artex sucked all the moisture from the plaster and once saturated then detached from the ceiling onto me. Unfortunately the ceiling had been limewashed before the artex and had not allowed a good bond. So I had to wet and scrape the whole lot of before boarding and skimming. I wonder if any aspestos has got into my system "cough cough".

I once talked to a roofer who boasted of aspestosing (is there such a word meaning to cover in aspestos) half of Lancashire. Seemed very proud about it too. He was very keen to relieve me of my aspestos sheets for roofing his chicken hutches. So I guess the danger is subjective. He was about 65 by the way, but I don't know if he still lives.

quote:

Originally posted by Druzil:
I once talked to a roofer who boasted of aspestosing (is there such a word meaning to cover in aspestos) half of Lancashire. Seemed very proud about it too. He was very keen to relieve me of my aspestos sheets for roofing his chicken hutches. So I guess the danger is subjective. He was about 65 by the way, but I don't know if he still lives.

Bet he outlived the chooks!