Softboard ceilings

monkeyhanger · Nov 21, 2013

I've just had a look at pricing a rewire, house is probably over 100 years old and has rubber coated wiring in use from whenever it was modernised.

The ceilings are boarded with a soft, cardboardy board that has a bumpy surface and the joins are taped (none of it skimmed) full room lengths in a big grid pattern. I have came across these type of ceilings a few times, but never had to really disturb them. Are they likely to contain asbestos? - I have seen them numerous times on a particular local authority housing estate on tyneside and presume due to the nature of the boards that if they contained asbestos they would have been removed.

Looking at the state of the house, the ceiling boards must be at least 50 / 60 years old.

If you give it a decent poke with a screwdriver handle it will leave a dent.
Its easy to break bits off, I have copied this picture from elsewhere on the internet (someone asking the same question but they didn't get an answer) - this is what broken off bits look like

[ElectriciansForums.net] Softboard ceilings

My usual asbestos man was too busy to come for a look (this job over an hours drive away!) while I was there, and the local one wanted £200 to visit the site- despite being only 400 yards away on the local industrial estate. Any opinions?

Silly Sausage · Nov 21, 2013

If it's the stuff I'm thinking of, like school pin boards, I doubt very much it'll contain the dreaded asbestos.
Rip it down and re-board.

Bick · Nov 21, 2013

Be a bit careful here .....the boards might not contain asbestos, but the paint might!

sparkie141 · Nov 21, 2013

Probably Cellotex but given the age of the building I would not even consider disturbing it, making holes etc. until an asbestos survey gave the all clear.
We all know the drill by now presume asbestos until confirmed otherwise. Sounds like the company you spoke to didn't want to do the survey quoting £200, the local companies round here don't charge that much unless there is travel involved.
I would quote for the job and request the client provide you an asbestos survey which is their responsibility as building owner.

Octopus · Nov 21, 2013

I'd get the homeowner to get a builder in and let them decide what to do. lol

Deleted member 72666 · Nov 21, 2013

It looks like fibre board to me especially given the age! If so I've been assured it's safe to work on. The trouble you will have is when you need to remove a panel or two, you'll struggle to get one off in one piece let alone been able to refit without it breaking up.

Redvanman · Nov 21, 2013

Loads round my way and have been told its safe.
apparently they used it a lot after the war as a cheap replacement when the ceilings fell in due to the dirty Hun dropping bombs every where. Least that's what I was told by an old boy builder

Des 56 · Nov 21, 2013

Looks like common fibreboard,they are best cut with a pad saw rather than poking holes with a screwdriver
If that contains asbestos, then my own asbestos levels will have that stuff making up quite a large portion

It probably has none,but its your health and there lies your problem,