We bought our house almost 18 years ago. At the time we were told that the wrappings on the basement pipes were asbestos, but that as long as it was not disturbed it was okay. Is this true? If it must be removed, who does one call and what does such an operation cost?

Asbestos wrappings are most commonly found on older hot water boiler heating systems. So I’m assuming this is what we’re dealing with. If the wrappings are in good condition and they are left undisturbed then removal is not necessary. However, check the wrappings for cracks at the elbows and bends in the piping. These are the most common places for damage. Also check along the straight asbestos sleeves for cracks, tears and mechanical damage. If you find these kinds of defects then consider removing or encapsulating the wrappings because the “friable” asbestos can become airborne and the heavier dust on the floor can be readily tracked, undetected to other parts of the house.

There are products available through Hazmasters Abatement Supplies (1 800- 663-7685) in Vancouver that you can use to encapsulate asbestos wrappings on pipe. But if you intend to remove the asbestos wrappings I suggest that you hire an asbestos abatement professional because containment and disposal are critical and these folks are trained in the appropriate strategies. Please feel free to call our office at 352 2300 for referrals to these companies. Cost for removal ranges from a few hundred to several hundred dollars depending on the amount of pipe and boiler wrapping to be removed.

For a comprehensive review of asbestos control strategies visit the Occupational Health & Safety Regulation website at http://regulation.healthandsaftecentre.org/s/GuidelinePart6.asp. You’ll find very useful charts that recommend the specific types of encapsulants, types of protective clothing as well as personal and site decontamination methods for a variety of asbestos containing products.

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This article was written by Steven Cannon, a Registered Building Official and partner in Lynch Building Inspection Services Ltd. of Nelson, British Columbia. It originally appeared in The Nelson Express.

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