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Wrapping Steam Pipes

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kfloyd
kfloyd Member Posts: 2
in Strictly Steam

I recently moved into an 1860s home in Vermont, equipped with a boiler and steam radiators. Some of the pipes have been wrapped using asbestos materials, some are unwrapped, and some have deteriorating wrapping. Photos attached, here are my questions:

• Would you cover asbestos wrapping in plastic and then cover that with fiberglass insulation? • Any specific insulation recommendations?
• Why do you suppose the large pipes attached to the boiler are not wrapped at all?

IMG_1968.JPG IMG_1971.JPG IMG_1973.JPG IMG_1974.JPG IMG_1976.JPG

Comments

  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 3,409

    Leave that old stuff alone … We use fiberglass pipe insulation today . The steam mains need pipe insulation to work as designed .. It is a good investment ..

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 11,748
    edited January 11

    There are two ways to deal with Asbestos.  Remove or encapsulate.  Both should be completed by professionals.  Both will cost you dearly.   If, by chance, you find an inexpensive way to remove all that asbestos and clean all the fibers that can float thru the air, then you need to replace all that insulation with 1” thick fiberglass pipe insulation on all the larger (pipes 1-1/2" and larger) and 1/2" pipe insulation of the smaller pipes from 1" down the 1/2".   And if you do it up right, there are nice vinyl covers for all the fittings. 

    I have used this website in the past for steam pipe insulation: https://www.buyinsulationproductstore.com/Fiberglass-Pipe-Insulation-SSL-ASJ/

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    jcullina

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