Asbestos wrapped pipes

Brian_42

Could anyone fathom a guess as to how much it would cost to have the asbestos on my pipes removed. Residential steam heat/about 170 feet of pipe I would guesstimate. I am just curious as I have no idea as to how much this would cost.

Thanks,
Brian

STEVEN MARKS

Most quotes are free, call a contractor. It's the only way to know for sure.

John S.

Call a local

asbestos abatement company. I'm sure some would give a free estimate. My question would be: Why would you want to do such a thing?

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Brian_42

Why would you want to do such a thing?

-Pipe wrapping has seen better days....

brian

Dave DeFord_3

One word -

> Why would you want to do such a thing?

>

> -Pipe

> wrapping has seen better days....

>

> brian

Dave DeFord_3

One word -

encapsulate. Talk to a local abatement contractor but encapsulating is likely a better way to go. Disturbing the asbestos releases it into the air and you have the possibility of breathing it - the last thing you want to do. Many times it is better to deal with the issue by keeping the asbestos in place and coating it to keep it from getting into the air. see the EPAs info here: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/ashome.html

Good luck

Dan_15

Any reputable asbestos abatement contractor will remove the stuff without any environmental concern. Before the job begins, you are required to obtain an EPA authorization number, and they are required to take air samples and certify air quality when the job is done. The EPA must pass off on the final job. This is standard fare for the contractor.

The previous posters are right however; asbestos is an excellent insulator and if it is in good shape there is no reason to remove it, unless you intend to repipe your mains. Often times an asbestos contractor can repair friable areas with patches and make them safe. Of course, you probably have your own reasons for wanting to remove the stuff.

JoeV

I had mine removed...

...for $75/linear yard about 10 years ago and the reasons were first, I had part of my house demo'd and the asbestos was a problem, and second, it is a little more difficult to sell a house with asbestos in it. Of course, this is the southeast were most young buyers have never seen asbestos and are terrified of it.

Prospects insist you have it removed before closing or they want you to drop the asking price. Watched several neighbors go through this heartache. They felt like they were accused of creating a superfund site.

John S.

I'm with Dave D.

encapsulate. However, if it were me, I would avoid all the red tape and find a reputable steam man to do the work without involving the EPA and such. Why open THAT can of worms? not to mention the contractor will probably do it at a more reasonable cost.

If it's done right, it will be fairly obvious that there are no safety or health concerns.

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Dan_15

Just my opinion but that is unsound advice. There is a good reason to use a reputable asbestos removal contractor. Friable asbestos is dangerous. To everyone involved. The EPA red tape is not exactly a huge burden. When I had mine removed (for an emergency boiler replacement), I was able to get an authorization over the telephone, and the job was done immediately. The contractor sealed the area with plastic and removed the stuff while wearing special protective suits. Post-removal testing was done and certified on site at the same time. Nothing to it.

I would be wary of any steam man who puts himself, you, your children, your family, his family and his business (insurance does not cover gross negligence) at risk by removing asbestos without proper training and qualification. None of the installers I know will touch the stuff. Its illegal.

Cast Iron

In the Boston Area I had it done for about 13 bucks a linear foot by a registered abatement company. Re-do the fiberglass insulation yourself and you'll save some good $$$.

John S.

Dan

My post may have been misleading. I was referring to encapsulation, not removal. I would not think of removal myself, other than by a licensed abatement co. When it comes to removal, I believe it is best to go through the appropriate steps to safely do so.

Encapsulation, on the other hand, I believe can safely be done by a good steam man. There is, however a great difference between insulation that is sound enough to encapsulate and that which is not.

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Dan_15

Gotcha, my apoligies for acting misled. I dont disagree that encapsulation can be safely done that way.