scrap boiler ?

[arabbadot]

I am having a condensing boiler fitted which will make unnecessary the copper boiler already installed complete with immersion heater.
The plumber insists it is of no value and he has a duty to dispose of it as it may contain asbestos. It has an insulation coating of expanded foam type material. It is about 20 years old.
Is it of no value?
Surely there is no asbestos in that kind of insulation?

[scotman]

The tank will probably be copper and of some value. I would be surprised if there was any asbestos involved.

[ummmm]

You're being had. Scrap it yourself....it's yours, you own it.

[chelle7272]

He just wants to cash it in...do that yourself.

[buildersmate]

In the UK Construction Industry, asbestos ceased to used after 1985 - so 26 years ago. And in any event, it wasn't used in this way as an insulation system that is stuck around the outside of a domestic water tank.
This is typical b******t from an individual who thinks he can make a few bob extra by bamboozling the customer. And he has no 'duty to dispose of it'.
Just tell him that if he had concern that it contained asbestos, how was it that he thought he could remove it since, since it would have had to be a task that only someone licensed to undertake work with asbestos could undertake? Could you please have his licence details entitling him to remove the tank in the first place since you'd like to check with the HSE. That'll spook him.

[yogi-bear]

As already mentioned by scotman, chelle and yummy, copper is valuable and the plumber is trying to make a nice and tidy profit from it....and from you.......highly unlikely to have asbestos on it. Cash it in yourself so dont let him take it away.

[yogi-bear]

Brilliant buildersmate.....sheer class and great advice. :0)

[Old_Geezer]

A few years back a plumber I got in to install a central heating system just took my old tank away as some kind of perk, never even asked ! Not that I had any use for it, but damned cheek anyway. And on other occassions things I've been assured will be taken away from the builder just got left. Tradesmen eh ? Tsk.

No I can't see a hot water tank is likely to have asbestos, although I am aware some come with their own installation, so I suppose it's just possible. But I suspect they started coming with their own insulation after it was known asbestos was a health hazard, so it seems unlikely.

[owdhamer]

your plumber is talking b--llocks, copper prices have never been higher

[crspaul]

Hi although the advice RE. asbestos and value of the cylinder are correct its possible that your plumber offsets the recycle value of it against the cost of disposing the other waste generated during the installation.I work for a cenral heating company and this is common practice for us,we do however clearly state this in our terms and conditions, people forget that as well as owning the scrap they also own the waste.