Asbestos in Boiler?

k60

I have an exercise bike right next to my Weil Mc-Lain EG-40 and it dawned on me that it might have asbestos.

Weil Mc-Lain's online serial number lookup said it was manufactured 9/20/79. Does anyone know when they stopped using asbestos? The house was built in 1920 in Brooklyn. I moved into the house 2 years ago. The previous owner finished the basement and it looks like she removed any insulation that was previously on the pipes. I have attached a few pics, including one of the boiler's insulation.




Thanks.

nicholas bonham-carter

I'd be more worried about the rusty spots, and the lack of insulation on the supply pipes, than any residual asbestos.--NBC

pecmsg

No one can say if there is or isn't without samples being taken and analyzed.

Probably none in the boiler but what about the rest of the house, can't tell without samples?

Agreed the rusting is not good!

EBEBRATT-Ed

1979 is about when they stopped using it. It's probably not asbestos but can't tell until its tested

Intplm.

Don't see much to worry about. Take a few more pictures of the the pipe insulation that is pictured in the first photo. Try to post a pic where there is a tear in the insulation or at a joint if you can. Might be able to get a better idea from there.

Steamhead

Looks like fiberglass to me.

k60

Thanks for the responses, everyone.

@NBC and @pecmsg
There is a ton of rust in our water so it’s hard to say where all of the rust began. Is there anything I can do about the boiler rust to prevent a failure down the road?
The basement gets cold so I have been sort of ignoring the lack pipe insulation because once I cover those pipes, the basement will no longer have a radiant heat source.

@EBEBRATT-Ed and @Intplm. and @Steamhead
I ordered an asbestos testing kit that allows me to send in one sample. Should I not sample the fiberglass-looking substance? Where in the boiler am I most likely to find asbestos?
The white object in the first photo is actually a painted support beam. But in the photo, it does look like an asbestos-insulated pipe.

Intplm.

It is hard to tell from the pictures you have provided. From what I can see , you do not have asbestos.
If the color of the insulation is yellow it is most likely fiberglass insulation.
Provide some more pictures as previously requested. Maybe we can get a better look at what you have.

pecmsg

That rust is from water leaks. Ever so small leaks but leaks the same. At 30 years of age I wouldn't touch it. Begin the search for a great contractor. Do a load / loss calculation on the house to see exactly what size you need. My calculation do not include the basement. Basements get a separate system or zone and a good dehumidifier or 2.

k60

@Intplm. Here are the best pics I could get of the substance. It may look yellow from discoloration from age.

k60

@pecmsg
I drain a lot of rust-red water off of the boiler. I am fine waiting for a failure. But is the rust damaging the pipes and radiators in the house? Rust should be too heavy to be pulled up into the steam, right?

Intplm.

That is not asbestos. That is fiberglass from what I can tell in those pictures.
Since you have ordered the test kit. Go ahead and use it. If nothing else, it will give you some peace of mind. It should also verify what I can see in the pictures.
You should also note that asbestos is not considered to be dangerous unless it becomes "friable."
Friable asbestos is asbestos that can be crumbled or crushed. When crumbled or crushed it can than be breathed in. That's what you don't want.
Looks to me that you have fiberglass insulation pictured.
Go ahead and have it tested on the rare chance that the fiberglass has some asbestos in it.

And @k60 please post the results of that test here. Would like to know what is found.
Also. Start looking into getting the boiler replaced. It has seen better days👍🏼

k60

Thanks, @Intplm. I'll post the results.

pecmsg

I'll agree that's fiberglass in the boiler. Fiberglass has its own issues so don't disturb it.

As far as the rest of the house that's a different story.

CLamb

Why not just ask Weil-McLain? They should know if asbestos was used in their boilers then.

JUGHNE

You might be more concerned about the removal job on the piping of the last owner. Sometimes there are still crumbs hanging on the piping....not done by the pros.

I can't imagine Weil-McLain committing one way or the other.
Their safe answer would be for you to have it tested.
That year of 1979 could be a gray area.

ChrisJ

Are you riding an exercise bike by it, or tearing things apart?

Asbestos is generally considered an issue if you disturb it.

Leonard

If I had it think I'ld just put box fans in windows, wear respirator, wet the floor, wet it down well with soapy water, and contractor bag it. Wet vac wash the floor after.

ChrisJ

Leonard said:

If I had it think I'ld just put box fans in windows, wear respirator, wet it and floor down well with soapy water, and contractor bag it. Wet vac wash the floor after.

I would think fans are the last thing you want when dealing with asbestos removal...…….Especially with open windows?

I have no idea how a proper removal is done, it just seems like that isn't it.

Leonard

Well....I was talking about what I might do, pump it all outside in a hurricane with bunch of box fans where it can "dilute" and rain mat it down to trap it. Rural here neighbors are far away.

Seen on PBS TV carpenters cutting asbestos siding shingles outside a house. They "crime scean" red taped off a zone about 10-20 feet from house. Inside of cutting zone needed a respirator, outside nothing. Also seen similar done bagging up tarpaper roofing on a building, they also had disposable white plastic suits. I might have used old disposable clothes and take a shower.

Suspect for inside, real companys use LARGE $$$ HEPA type filters to clean room air.

k60

The asbestos tests came back positive. Here is a summary:
SLAB Inc. using Asbestos Test Kit 1 PK (5 Bus. Days) Schneider Labs
Sample # 1; insulation homogeneous; Light Brown/Dark Brown Fibrous
Asbestos fibers: None detected
Sample #2; insulation homogeneous; Brown Fibrous
Asbestos fibers: 9.75% Chrysotile
Other Materials: 15% Cellulose fiber; 75.25% Non fibrous material

Since it the fiber was in direct contact with a hot pipe, and because people on this posting warned me about the rust, I replaced the boiler.

Intplm.

@k60 Sorry you had to go through all of that. Good that you have a new boiler. Better and safer heat, asbestos free.
Thanks for posting with a follow up.

mattmia2

Where was sample #2 from? I would have only expected to find asbestos in the gaskets and maybe wiring of the boiler itself.