If you have purchased or are renting an older home, you may be wondering if you need to be concerned about asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in homebuilding and in many other products for years until adverse health effects including lung cancer and other lung diseases began turning up, sometimes long after initial exposure. Use of asbestos was banned in homebuilding in the late 70’s.
Guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission are that asbestos does not pose a risk unless it is “friable,” meaning it is beginning to flake or crumble. Most recommendations suggest leaving it alone if not friable, and that asbestos removal should be considered a last resort, as it poses more risk of contaminating the surrounding environment. If asbestos is friable, removal becomes necessary. If not, the recommendation is to “encapsulate” the areas against possible damage, which means enclosing the asbestos in a protective coating or building a structure around it.
One of the most common locations of asbestos in the home is surrounding pipes, including water, radiator, or steam heating pipes, in the form of asbestos pipe wrap. This wrap is generally covered in canvas and is notable by its powdery white appearance. However, it may not be possible to positively identify asbestos without taking a sample and having it evaluated by an analytical laboratory. The cost for this runs from $20 to $40.
Pipe wrap that is firmly in place and only has a minimal amount of tears or holes may be repaired rather than removed. This can be done by covering with a protective wrap such as re-wettable grass cloth or by caulking or sealing with specific commercial products available at a safety supply store.
Most authorities strongly recommend hiring a professional asbestos abatement company to remove asbestos because of the difficulties involved with limiting exposure to released fibers during removal, cleanup, and disposal. Removal may cost from $400 and up for a 10-foot section of pipe to $30,000 for removal of asbestos from every location in a home. It is recommended that one company inspects and makes recommendations, a second firm do the job, and the first company re-inspect. Cautions include getting references, checking with the Better Business Bureau, and receiving a written estimate.
Among the benefits of having a professional perform your asbestos removal is their knowledge of regulations, their training, and the equipment available to them including glove bags, HEPA vacuum (a negative pressure device), respirators, disposable clothing and other tools proper for removing and disposing of asbestos. Having a professional take air samples for asbestos fibers following removal is also a good precaution. It is stressed that most general home contractors are not trained in this area and do not have the proper equipment, so it is important to work with licensed contractors or certified professionals in asbestos abatement.
There is no law preventing homeowners from removing asbestos themselves. Do-it-yourself instructions are available, and stress the following items:
1.
Proper awareness and training.
2.
Proper ventilation equipment which includes a respirator; a mask is not adequate.
3.
Protective clothing including a proper disposable suit, goggles and gloves are available at a safety supply store.
4.
Sealing off from other areas of the house with heavy-duty plastic and heavy-duty tape and marking it as a Hazardous Area.
5.
Continuous “spritzing” with water containing a small amount of detergent to prevent spread of dust during removal.
6.
Removal of small portions at a time wearing protective equipment and disposing directly into double heavy-duty plastic bags.
7.
Checking and following local, state and federal regulations including permits and disposal requirements. This generally includes proper double-sealing in transparent 6 mil plastic bags, taping with heavy-duty tape, labeling as hazardous material/asbestos, and taking directly to a solid waste landfill. However, current regulations must be checked. Disposing of in regular trash is illegal.
8.
Cleanup: All equipment and protective clothing needs to be sealed and taped in double plastic bags at the site so that particles are not spread. Dusting, vacuuming, and sweeping must be avoided. Dust should be removed with wet paper towels and a wet dust mop, which are then contained and disposed of at the site.
Bottom line: If you are a handy homeowner and understand all of the precautions, it is certainly possible to save some money by removing asbestos pipe insulation yourself. However, it is complicated and dangerous, not to be taken lightly, and requires thorough research, proper equipment, and exacting procedure. It’s always good to be careful — better still, to let an expert handle it.
home-inspection
