| Author |
Message |
    
ASH
Citizen
Username: Ash
Post Number: 12
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 22, 2003 - 12:50 pm: |     |
The house we're buying has some asbestos insulation around pipes leading to the boiler in the basement. I've contacted D&S Abatement for an estimate on encapsulation and was wondering if anyone's had experience with them, or could recommend any other companies to do this work. Thanks in advance! |
Michael K. Mc Kell
Citizen
Username: Greenerose
Post Number: 16
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 22, 2003 - 10:59 pm: | |
Ash,
You can check with some plumbers who come across this problem.
Also if you are willing, you can take care of the problem yourself.
1. Get yourself a disposable Tyvek suit, gloves, resporator and pump pesticide spray container at the local Home Cheapo.
2. Suit up and fill the sprayer with water.
3. Wet down the area to be removed enough to prevent dust.
4. Cut straps and place into good heavy garbage bag. Berkley and Jensen contractors are my personal favorite.
5. Continue on to the next area wetting down as you go. NOTE: Do not put to much in one bag.
Now disposal is the only concern.
You can take other precautions like fans and/or plastic sheathing. So long as no dust is produced all is well.
Asbestos is not a friendly material and should always be treated with caution.
Regards,
Mike
GRC |
marken
Citizen
Username: Marken
Post Number: 46
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 12:08 am: | |
Ash,
A strong recom for D&S.
We used 'em when we bought our house over the summer and were quite satisfied. In fact, we had 'em back for more work in another room.
D&S REMOVED the existing asbestos on 14 feet of basement pipes (which, IMHO for ease of resale and peace of mind -- removal is better than encapsulation). They also found 80 feet of asbestos residue -- the result of some past improper removal technique. They sealed the residue with a paint-like substance mixed with "fiberlock". They said I could paint over it if I want to.
They were prompt, clean, efficient, and sent the certificates within a week of completion.
Some jobs are DIY, but for me, asbestos isn't one of 'em. |
botulismo
Citizen
Username: Botulismo
Post Number: 94
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 3:45 pm: | |
Either you know how to remove it and do it OR you don't and contract it out.
Simply wetting insulation with water is probably not the best way to go, expecially on the elbows. Remember, if you do not use plastic, water dries out and leaves you dried insulation including asbestos. Water also does not penetrate very far into insulation without a little help. It's not rocket science but is it really worth it if you screw up? D&S or an equivalent seems the way to go for you.
If the insulation is in bad shape, why isn't the seller paying for it? |
ASH
Citizen
Username: Ash
Post Number: 13
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 - 10:08 am: | |
Glad to hear D&S is good. This will definitely not be a DIY project for us--a bit too advanced for our skills, since we're looking at painting as a big deal! We also have a new baby in the house so don't want to take chances. But thanks for the info.
In terms of the seller--long story but they are giving us some $ back to take care of it and other stuff. By the way, any rough idea of how much this might cost? |
botulismo
Citizen
Username: Botulismo
Post Number: 95
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 - 3:04 pm: | |
Here's a link to the Blue Book, basically an index of contractors by region and area of specialty. This is set for asbestos abatement/North NJ.
http://www.thebluebook.com/wsnsa.dll/WService=wsbrk1/viewpg.htm?bkid=10&docsstar t=0&ncls=203&cache=0204%2C0203%2C2855%2C2966%2C4380
D&S as well as most other abatement contractors will provide a free estimate. Most quotes will be based on linear feet of material removed and amount of waste generated. Additional costs will be added if the job is big enough or complex enough. Pipe insulation is relatively easy to remove using glovebag and should be pretty inexpensive. Troweled on boiler insulation is another issue.
Things to look for:
Check for certifications. At least one supervisor and the remainder handlers.
Insurance, Insurance, Insurance! Liability policy for addressing personal injury and property damage.
Check with the bldg inspector if a Maplewood (or SO) permit is needed.
Contract specifications - define what you want removed, how it is removed and what will be done with the waste. Air sampling (pre/during/clearance).
P.s - I hold certificates as Project Monitor and Supervisor in NYS from a previous life. |
HS
Citizen
Username: Pseudoah2
Post Number: 54
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 - 5:00 pm: | |
We used D&S when we moved in and they did a great job on complete asbestos removal... very professional. Highly recommend. |
ASH
Citizen
Username: Ash
Post Number: 16
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2003 - 8:59 pm: | |
Thank you botulismo for the info--I think it is just around the pipes so hopefully it won't be too pricey. And thanks marken and hs for the recs!
Botulismo, would you agree that removal is a better idea than encapsulation? |
dules
Citizen
Username: Dules
Post Number: 4
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Friday, September 26, 2003 - 3:31 pm: | |
We used B&G and were very happy with them. Also met D&S but chose B&G, though I think it was just for scheduling reasons.
Good luck! |
botulismo
Citizen
Username: Botulismo
Post Number: 96
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 7:53 pm: | |
Physics vs. the legal and free market system.
Not much beats asbestos containing aircell insulation for efficiency. Higher R-values if in good condition than the fiberglass/mineral wool replacements out there now. Most people's basements are probably a lot like mine - a few sections of insulation were removed where work was needed to be done such as repair a steam line, replace a boiler or install a water, electric or gas line. The covering on the insulation was disturbed/damaged and it was all down hill from there. If your insulation does not follow this pattern and is intact/not friable, encapsulation is a good option - from a cost standpoint. The only problem is that asbestos still exists in your home. If anyone has to work on your boiler or stuff around your boiler than you have to re-address the issue. If you remove it, obviously you never have to worry about it ever again. To some people, the mere existence of asbestos in a house would preclude them from buying that house. Obviously that is not the case with you, and me and a probably half of the people who bought houses in maplewood over the past few years.
What would I do? I simply asked my wife what would make her feel better and ended up removing ours and replacing it with the Home Debit fiberglas versions. I think we have to stay in this house 67.2 years to recoup our investment.
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