Asbestos

UncleBuck01 · Oct 19, 2005

need Info
just bought a old farmhouse (1860), in house 6 wks. House has a Forced Hot Air heating system(ductwork),just had the furnace serviced and the mechanic pointed out to me that there is sheeting wrapped around some of the ducts that he thinks is "asbestos"? the sheeting is white and is the thickness of cardboard. From this description does anyone know if this type of insulation is asbestos, is there a danger living in this house. Can I remove this myself from the ductwork that I can reach or do I need a specialist (company )to remove it. If this is a serious problem do I have any legal recourse with the previous owner for not disclosing this. I had house inspected before purchase and this was not picked up by the engineer( along with a couple of other serious problems) any suggestions?
Buck

Highbeam · Oct 19, 2005

Asbestos is not a problem. It works great. The more dangerous form is when it is fibrous and looks like fiberglass. The fibers can be inhaled and then you have your trouble. If left undisturbed it will continue to serve you well. If you must disturb it and it is a board type asbestos then be sure to not use a circular saw to cut it or anything else that will turn a solid into a fibery mess.

Most of the older water mains in the NW and probably nationwide are asbestos cement. Yep, made of asbestos. When we replace the mains due to age with ductile iron usually, we just break up the old AC pipe with the hoe bucket and bury it. When homes are demolished in my city I am tasked with reviewing the asbestos report and it is amazing that they made like roof shingles, floor tiles, pipes, and insulation out of asbestos. It's all over.

There are many forms of asbestos still in use today. If the asbestos is in a fluffy form then it is more dangerous IF disturbed and inhaled. If not fluffy, leave it be. If you must remove it then it is probably technically appropriate to call one of the companies for an asbestos survey which will then dang near require you to dispose of it in a pretty expensive manner.

Personally, if I was removing a hard asbestos product I would bag it and throw it in the trash.

I don't think it is a disclosure thing. That's the way homes were built back then. It's like disclosing lathe and plaster instead of sheetrock or galvanized iron water pipe instead of plastic.

beenthere · Oct 19, 2005

IMO, asbestos has always been and still is a big 'hype' and one of many times we have allowed this type of hype to 'shoot ourselves in the foot'.
But I don't have any recommendations for what you should do. I'd put a mask on, wet it down, and remove it if it was a house I wanted, and didn't want to pay someone to remove it.
Request a letter from the inspector who didn't mention it. Seems he was hired to inspect the house.

I worked at a place that had a steamfitter who spent his 42 years wrapping steam pipes with asbestos, day in and day out. He died at 88 years old. Sure, there were probably cases of asbestos fibers in someones system, but likely not as lethal as smoking cigarettes - again this is just my opinion. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Wish you well with the house.

thcri · Oct 19, 2005

Buck,

I am in the heating and air conditionin business. We run into that stuff just about every day. Don't mess with it as disturbing it can cause trouble. I would check your yellow pages and find a company to test it. One other poster mentioned the fluffy stuff being bad. I have seen lots of card board type stuff that shows up being bad.

If you find a company that tests it see if they will come out to your place and test it free, otherwise you can cut just a small sample like the size of a quarter, put it in a bag and take it in. They may charge you for the test and they may not. Again most important, don't disturb it. If is is positive then the company doing the testing may give you a quote for removing.

murph

inveresk · Oct 20, 2005

I endorse Murph's view. Thousands of buildings around the country have asbestos in them. There normally isn't a danger unless it's disturbed. Removal of it is best done by firms registered to do so. This can be pricey but it's better than a lung full of malignant mesothelioma, which is what breathing the fibres causes. I wouldn't mess with it.

daedong · Oct 20, 2005

IMO, asbestos has always been and still is a big 'hype' and one of many times we have allowed this type of hype to 'shoot ourselves in the foot'.
But I don't have any recommendations for what you should do. I'd put a mask on, wet it down, and remove it if it was a house I wanted, and didn't want to pay someone to remove it.
This has to be one of the most contradictory statements I have ever read. First its hype then you advise on the precautions.

My advice would be leave it to an expert Don’t monkey with it at all.

Birdhunter1 · Oct 20, 2005

If you want it out bad enough use a pump sprayer full of water to keep it wet and wear a dust mask and take it out and bury/burn it.

beenthere · Oct 20, 2005

( This has to be one of the most contradictory statements I have ever read. First its hype then you advise on the precautions. )

Deedong
Take it as you wish. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Probably not the only thing I've ever said that appears to be 'contradictory', but I don't think it is. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

tawilson · Oct 20, 2005

I've been in the hvac business for a while too. I've even been cited for disturbing asbestos and had to appear at Labor Dept. hearing. I too think it is a bunch of hype and has spawned a new industry which does all it can to promote the hype and has driven construction and remodeling costs through the roof. People have gotten the notion that asbestos is a poison which can damage you by being near it. Like others have said, if it is in good shape leave it. I wouldn't be afraid of dealing with it myself, following beenthere's precautions. Another option, because of the costs of hiring removal companies, many school districts have trained some of their personnel in recognizing and removing asbestos. You may know someone that would look at it and advise on it if you ask around.

Egon · Oct 20, 2005

Asbestos is not nice stuff. Medically proven fact.

Leave removal and disposal to those with the proper knowledge and equipment. Water and a mask are not sufficient.

I have seen industrial locations where asbestos has been removed. In some cases small areas are sealed off. In others the entire building was sealed off. The workers would have to go through a decontamination trailer at the end of their shifts.

Just for interest Canada is one of the few places left that allow asbesto's in brake pads!

Egon