AmeriSpec home inspection service has a nice report prepared on their web page adddressing the asbestos situation found in our homes.
While not a common insulator anymore, Asbestos does have its legacy. Particularly in our older homes found throughout Nova Scotia.

Luckily it is not the problem you may perceive it to be. AmeriSpec home inspection service has a nice report prepared on their web page addressing the asbestos situation found in our homes.

To quote AmeriSpec “Until the 1980’s asbestos was of the amphibole type and people were not aware of the risks in using this type of material. Due to the biopersistence of amphibole asbestos, workers who were exposed to the dust in large quantities over long periods of time became ill between 10 and 40 years after working with the material. It is important to note that the asbestos particles must be airborne (friable) to be inhaled, and therefore be a health concern.”

So, you have a older home and possible with steam or hot water heating installed sometime before 1980. 9 chances out of 10 the wrapping on the pipes in the basement and in the walls is asbestos. “Now what do I do?” Have it inspected for integrity of the coating (usually a canvas and plaster mixture) completely covering the asbestos. This is what encapsulates the asbestos and holds it on the pipe. If there has been no degradation of the coverings, then leave well enough alone. Print off the AmeriSpec asbestos document and tape it to one of the exposed pipes so any prospective buyers can see you are aware of the situation and have elected to leave it alone. If you have had an inspection of the pipes, have a copy taped up to for potential buyers to review.

Now, what if there is exposed asbestos or poorly covered asbestos in your basement? According to AmeriSpec. you have two choices. Have it removed or re-encapsulate it. “In some cases asbestos containing materials can be encapsulated with another material so that the risk of damaging the asbestos containing material is minimized. This type of procedure may be a less expensive option to removing and disposing of the asbestos containing materials.” In all the examples of exposed asbestos I have come across, encapsulation has been the answer. There are new plastic shrink wrap products (like the white or blue plastic you see boats covered in) on the market in rolled sheet form (somewhat like cling wrap) which can be a easy solution.

Here are some pictures of asbestos insulated pipes with a plaster covering and a new furnace install replacing a old furnace that was covered in asbestos.

I did see one asbestos pipe situation in a basement (my own) where the asbestos was removed by cutting the pipes and leaving the asbestos on the pipe and removed from the house in whole pieces. The pipes running up in the walls were capped off in the basement. A very simple solution.

Remember, if you believe you have asbestos in your basement, on pipes or around a boiler, have it inspected by a professional. This is not a do-it-yourself type of job.

I hope this helps.

T.H.

EMAIL Tim Harris with a comment

[GET ME OUTTA HERE! RETURN ME TO TRADEWINDS REALTY HOME PAGE ]