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Asbestos in Old Pipe Dope

Steam-novice
Steam-novice Member Posts: 5
in THE MAIN WALL
I am looking at changing a valve between a supply pipe and radiator in an old steam system. This means disturbing some of the cement that holds the valve in place. I have heard that some old pipe dope/pipe cement contains asbestos. Any truth to that claim?

Thanks.

Steam-Novice

Comments

  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,231
    i'd say that to be a true statement.

    buh i am inclined to think the abestos boogy man isnt gonna jump out and get you undoing a few fittings..
  • Steam-novice
    Steam-novice Member Posts: 5


    Not so much concerned about me, but I am about the kids.
  • Ross_6
    Ross_6 Member Posts: 9
    pipe dope

    In the old books that I have, they used to take red lead or white lead and mix it with linseed oil for pipe dope, but that's just one instance.
  • ThermalJake
    ThermalJake Member Posts: 127


    What is the period of exposure that makes it dangerous? I thought you had to eat it for breakfast for about two years. I also thought that it had to be airborne to be harmful.
    Jake

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Mark Eatherton1
    Mark Eatherton1 Member Posts: 2,542
    Asbesto I can tell...

    Abatement is best left to the professionals.

    To my knowledge, there is no asbesto in the thread sealant.

    The problems with inhaling asbestos are long term. If you've ever seen someone suffering with asbestosis, you'd understand the need for proper precaution and removal.

    They're drowning in their own lungs...

    Have a professional look at it. If the abatement is less than a certain cubic foot volume, they're not required to file permits, set up containtment and can do a wet bag removal.

    ME
  • Tony Conner_2
    Tony Conner_2 Member Posts: 443
    I've...

    ... got a little book from 1927 "Machinery's Shop Receipts" that has 15 or 16 concoctions for pipe dope. I skimmed through the section, and didn't notice "asbestos" in any of them.
  • Al Gregory
    Al Gregory Member Posts: 259


    My father died from asbestos, to many years working in the trade after WW11 I guess. I cant count how many old snow men boilers I knocked down over the years. I'd be standing in a cloud of dust sweeping it up with my brother. I hope the boogey man dont get me too some time
  • Firedragon_4
    Firedragon_4 Member Posts: 1,434
    I've done a lot of work

    on asbestos cases around heating equipment and that's a first for me. I'm working a large national asbestos case right now, but it's not about pipe dope, a lot of other things, but not that.

    Now lead in pipe dope, oh yeah! But, just don't eat it and you should be fine :-)
  • Jay_17
    Jay_17 Member Posts: 72
    Asbestos dangers

    The information I have found, from various sources, is that the type of asbestos used on (most) residental systems is less dangerous than that used in industrial systems. Asbestos is a general term for several similar minerals, the dangerous stuff is a shorter strand material which has a very small particle size which remains airborn much longer, it was also cheaper. Most residental work used more expensive 'long strand' asbestos which falls out of the air much more readily and I understand is not so bad.
    Anyway, probably best avoided, but it is still used in brake pads and stuff... If the pipe dope is not 'crumbly' I wouldn't get too worried myself, if there is anything in it it is bound up, not free to fly.
    The lead on the other hand probably shouldn't be handled much, put gloves on if you are.
    Jay
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,385


    No kidding! We used to take it off the boilers with a hammer. I can remember being down in a manhole on top of an oil tank bashing the stuff off.

    That was about25 years ago. I'm not trying to minimize the danger but the small ammount in pipe dope (if any) will probably not be flying around. wet it down first.
  • JimGPE_3
    JimGPE_3 Member Posts: 240
    Kids?

    This isn't a school is it? If its a school, you don't have to worry about the asbestos, the lawyers will get you long before the ACM will.

    Be very careful when working in schools that have ACM. There are VEEERRRY strict guidelines involving (I kid you not) electron microscopes.
  • Steam-novice
    Steam-novice Member Posts: 5
    Asbestos Pipe Dope/Thread sealant

    Thanks for all the feedback.

    The can of pipe dope I recently bought from the store states, "No Asbestos," so I figured that the some sealants might have contained asbestos pre-1978.
  • bob young
    bob young Member Posts: 2,177
    asbestos pipe joint compound

    in the sixties we used a new pipe joint compound called "ALAMACK " it specified that it contained asbestos fibres and lampwick was not needed for brass pipe threads. i used it all the time and it worked great. not messy like permatex. it was invented by a brooklyn plumber.
  • jim lockard
    jim lockard Member Posts: 1,059
    now george

    Theres nothing like a good pd&J for lunch (thats pipe dope and jelly)
  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,231
    You figured right....

    i honestly know thay my asbestos abatement techniques would astound the modernday educated crowd and so some times i Know there was asbestos in the pipe dope because i put it there :)and if it could possibly have happened around me and i am sorta abnormally careful i fairly certain it indeed has found its way into numerous pipe joint compounds ,whether it was stated on the can or not :)
  • jim lockard
    jim lockard Member Posts: 1,059
    weezbo

    So your the guy that keeps leaving the top off the pipe dope container. Thanks for owning up to it I will sleep better. Best Wishes J.Lockard
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