Removing Asbestos Insulation From the Pipes

Years after researchers revealed asbestos to be life-threatening, knowing how to remove asbestos insulation from pipes remains a sought-after skill. Asbestos insulates pipes and ceilings in older homes and buildings and requires careful, cautious removal. Ideally, the work should be done by a professional, but individuals who follow strict rules and safety procedures can also remove asbestos insulation from pipes.

Preparation and Removal of Asbestos Insulation from Pipes

Remove all furniture. Close and seal windows and vents. Turn off all heating or air-conditioning units. Shut off electrical power. Use an outside circuit if lighting is needed. Detach any light fixtures and wrap exposed wires with electrical tape. Post warning signs to ward off onlookers or unexpected visitors. These steps will help minimize exposure and asbestos contamination, according to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.

Build the containment area around the asbestos-insulated pipes by attaching the plastic sheeting to the floors and walls with duct tape. Allow plenty of overlap (6 to 12 inches). Seal all seams with duct tape. Lay a second layer of plastic on the floor. Overlap the sheets but do not seal them with tape.

Build an air lock (or isolation area) between the containment area and the other parts of the house or building to serve as a decontamination area where workers can get out of their contaminated coveralls and dispose of them properly. Use an adjacent room as the airlock, being sure to cover the entryway with two sheets of plastic with slits down the middle to serve as a "door."

Mix a few drops of the detergent with a few gallons of water in the tank sprayer. Soak the asbestos with the detergent and water, allowing the solution to penetrate the surface completely. Wait about 20 minutes and scrape off some of the material to check for saturation. Spray the area again if the solution has not thoroughly soaked the asbestos, advises the Utah DEQ.

Scrape the asbestos into approved disposal bags with a putty knife. Ensure that it is thoroughly damp. Spread the encapsulant over the pipe surfaces that the asbestos covered to seal them, preventing further contamination from residual asbestos.

Zip up the containment bags and seal them with duct tape. Seal large amounts of asbestos (and the plastic sheeting, when finished) inside 55-gallon drums. Mark all containers or bags as containing asbestos. Spray the plastic sheets in the containment area. Remove the plastic, starting at the point furthest from the exit. Bag and seal the plastic. Spray yourself inside the airlock. Spray the airlock walls. Remove your coveralls and equipment, starting with your boots. Bag and seal your workclothes and the remaining plastic.