How to Secure Asbestos Insulation
For many years, manufacturers and builders were unaware of the dangers present in products containing asbestos. Today, asbestos is known to be linked to a type of cancer known as mesothelioma. Asbestos building materials are no longer made or sold, but they are still present in many homes. It is safer, in most instances, to leave asbestos insulation in place. With a friable asbestos product, however, asbestos insulation should be secured and encapsulated to keep the immediate environment safe. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Face mask
- Heavy-duty gloves
- Plywood, sheet rock or plastic sheeting
- Nails or construction staples
- Hammer, nail gun or staple gun
- Duct tape
- Water-based encapsulating product
Please enter your 10 digit phone number only.
A link to this article has been sent to the phone number provided.
Instructions
-
-
1
Place a face mask over your mouth and nose to avoid breathing any loose asbestos insulation fibers. Place heavy-duty gloves on before handling the contaminated insulation.
-
2
Cover the asbestos insulation with a firm, nonporous material such as plywood, sheetrock or plastic sheeting. Secure in place over the asbestos insulation with nails or construction staples using a hammer, nail gun or staple gun.
-
-
3
Wrap plastic sheeting around any asbestos insulation that is wrapped around pipes that are not exposed to high levels of moisture. Completely cover the insulation with plastic and seal all edges with duct tape.
-
4
Spray a water-based foam on asbestos insulation on wet water or steam pipes. Apply a penetrating or bridging encapsulant according to the instructions included with the product. Allow the product to air dry.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
It is not necessary to complete all the above steps. Select the technique that best matches your asbestos insulation situation.
Experts recommend that encapsulation be done by a trained professional.
Other asbestos materials, such as floor tiles and ceiling shingles can also be covered to reduce asbestos in the building's environment.
Exercise all safety precautions to avoid exposure to potentially cancer-causing asbestos fibers.
Asbestos removal should only be done by a trained and licensed professional.
