How to Remove Asbestos Pipe Wrap
Asbestos pipe wraps are covered with canvas with a white crumbly surface. While in most cases the EPA advises homeowners to leave intact non-crumbling asbestos as it is, sometimes it needs to be removed. The best way to deal with asbestos removal is to contact a licensed professional, but you can remove on your own. This requires a lot of preparation in order to ensure the toxic fibers from the asbestos wrap don't contaminate your home. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Duct tape
- Polyethylene sheeting
- Disposable coveralls
- Asbestos rated respirator
- Spray bottle
- Water
- Utility knife
- Mop
- Plastic bags
Instructions
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Asbestos Removal
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1
Contact the EPA, your local municipal office or waste management facility to find out if asbestos removal by homeowners is permitted in your area. If it is OK to remove it by yourself proceed to Step 2.
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2
Put on protective clothing before you start (disposable coveralls, goggles, gloves, and an asbestos rated respirator). Protective clothing can be purchased at most hardware or building supply stores.
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3
Turn off all ventilation and heating systems and seal vents using polyethylene sheeting and duct tape.
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4
Close all windows and doors in the area you're working in, including your entry/exit point to keep asbestos fibers contained to the work area.
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5
Cover surfaces and openings in the room you're working in using polyethylene sheeting and duct tape. This includes floors, walls, ceilings, doorways and windows. Seal the seams in the plastic covering as well.
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6
Avoid exiting the room until you've finished. This keeps the asbestos contained to the area you're working in.
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7
Wet the asbestos pipe wrap using a spray bottle filled with water and then cut the side of the wrap with a utility knife to remove in sections. Each time you open an area with the knife, spray it with the water. This prevents fibers from floating around the room.
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8
Drop each section you've removed into a plastic bag. Don't let the pipe wrap dry before moving to the bag, as fibers may be dispersed.
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9
Repeat the above steps (soaking, cutting, soaking, and removing) until all pipe wrap has been removed and placed in plastic bags.
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10
Seal plastic bags with tape as they are filled. Leave the sealed bags of asbestos pipe wrap to settle for at least 24 hours before removing them from the containment area.
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11
Clean polyethylene sheeting by misting it with water and wiping with a wet mop before removing it to ensure that you've removed as many asbestos fibers as possible.
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12
Remove sheeting and place in plastic bags, sealing each bag as it is filled.
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13
Wash surfaces in the room thoroughly after removing the sheeting.
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14
Remove protective clothing (coveralls, mask and gloves) and place in plastic bags. Seal bags with tape.
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15
Wash clothes and take a shower immediately to remove fibers that may be on your clothes and body.
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16
Contact your local municipal office or waste management facility to dispose of the asbestos properly. Most municipalities have disposal methods in place for asbestos.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Asbestos sampling, repair and removal should be done by asbestos professionals whenever possible. In most states, homeowners can undertake minor removal or repairs, but major asbestos removal and repairs must be done only by an asbestos professional.
Never sweep, vacuum, saw, sand or drill holes into any asbestos material.
The EPA recommends removing asbestos material as a last resort. Pipe wraps can sometimes be repaired by sealing or encapsulating to prevent asbestos fibers from escaping.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
