How to bid a new res panel where a 4” asbestos pipe is in the way?

N

newservice

Senior Member
Location
Syracuse NY
Occupation
Electrician extraordinaire
Looked at a new service job to bid yesterday and right where my backboard needs to go is a big wrapped pipe from the old boiler system. Customer says he’s fine with it being removed…
He can’t afford to fix the boiler system and has 2 existing mini split pumps, and is adding 2 more hence the 100-200a upgrade. So he’s fine with removing the pipe.
In my younger days I’d not think twice about just cutting it out, but I’m a little more conscious now,
Any thoughts?
 
newservice said:
Looked at a new service job to bid yesterday and right where my backboard needs to go is a big wrapped pipe from the old boiler system. Customer says he’s fine with it being removed…
He can’t afford to fix the boiler system and has 2 existing mini split pumps, and is adding 2 more hence the 100-200a upgrade. So he’s fine with removing the pipe.
In my younger days I’d not think twice about just cutting it out, but I’m a little more conscious now,
Any thoughts?
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It would probably cost less to fix the boiler than to remove the asbestos! LOL!
 
infinity said:
Yes, hire an asbestos abatement company to remove the asbestos. After that the pipe can be removed.

Also when you have a minute please update your profile to include your location. Thanks.
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good luck finding one that will remove just that one section of pipe insulation that is in the way? They likely will want to go through entire home and abate any asbestos materials they can find or not come at all.

Biggest key to removal AFAIK is keeping it wet so it won't create any asbestos dust that can become airborne. Might be more to handling and disposal after removal and to cleaning up well enough so that there is no remaining asbestos that can turn into dust after it dries out.
 
kwired said:
good luck finding one that will remove just that one section of pipe insulation that is in the way? They likely will want to go through entire home and abate any asbestos materials they can find or not come at all.

Biggest key to removal AFAIK is keeping it wet so it won't create any asbestos dust that can become airborne. Might be more to handling and disposal after removal and to cleaning up well enough so that there is no remaining asbestos that can turn into dust after it dries out.
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Many locales have strict regulations regarding asbestos removal. Are you suggesting that they remove it themselves?
 
infinity said:
Many locales have strict regulations regarding asbestos removal. Are you suggesting that they remove it themselves?
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Not really. If it were out at some old farmhouse with no real enforcement of any such regulations I possibly might do it though if I were in OP's shoes. In a populated area I'd likely not even entertain such an idea. I almost can promise you anybody else that removes it in situation like I described just comes in with reciprocating saw or worse yet grinder and hacks away with little to no precautions on containing what gets in the air. My method likely does leave things in better situation than that, plus I have to come work in there after it is removed either way.
 
hillbilly1 said:
The county just tore down an old plant here that more than likely had asbestos in it, and they were posting how great it was that they were getting a new 911 center. I asked if they found any asbestos when they tore it down? Their post quickly disappeared.
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They supposed to check before tearing down aren't they?

We get occasional old building that fire departments burn down in part to get some training out of it, which is useful especially for volunteer fire departments which is mostly all there is in these rural areas. They do require nearly all hazardous materials be removed from the site, including asbestos before they will intentionally burn down a structure.
 
kwired said:
They supposed to check before tearing down aren't they?

We get occasional old building that fire departments burn down in part to get some training out of it, which is useful especially for volunteer fire departments which is mostly all there is in these rural areas. They do require nearly all hazardous materials be removed from the site, including asbestos before they will intentionally burn down a structure.
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Yes, it had an old boiler system that heated the plant, no A/C. Block building. No doubt the asbestos is in the landfill by now, and no PPE was used by the demolition crews.
 
hillbilly1 said:
Yes, it had an old boiler system that heated the plant, no A/C. Block building. No doubt the asbestos is in the landfill by now, and no PPE was used by the demolition crews.
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>no PPE was used by the demolition crews.
That's why they were the lowest bidder!
 
Can some random person you don’t know that owner my possible get just do whatever they need to, “cough”
Larry idea of boxing probably the best—- you get your crap done and he can figure out what crack head can remove pipes down the road
 
Soak it through and through with water and cut it out and bury it somewhere and never mention it to anyone.
 
AC\DC said:
It’s kinda like florecent bulb they seem to just disappear when you accumulate them
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The bigger lighting companies have to keep track of them. If the replacement numbers don’t come close, the government throws flags and fines! I’ve got to where I leave them with the customer, and they can figure out how to get rid of them.
 
letgomywago said:
The home owner usually can remove the asbestos themselves legally they just have the fun time getting it disposed of then.
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No more than there would be from insulation on the pipe mentioned in OP, these could be put in normal trash collection and would never be noticed or questioned, especially if inside a non transparent garbage bag. Probably ends up in same landfill even if a professional abatement company removes it just might arrive on a different truck.
 
Welp I bid the job and told him he has to remove it, and that I’d seen other homeowners remove it by soaking and with PPE, but that I don’t recommend it . tried to contact local removal companies ..with no success. Either disconnected or phone just rang. So, he said he’d get back to me and understood. My guess is he won’t. I kind of have a feel for when they’re serious or just tire kickers….my guess is he’ll hire somebody else that’s willing to do it because someone told him the asbestos “ is OK, as long as it’s not disturbed” and I think he expects me to work around it without disturbing it. That’s ok, I don’t need that kind of customer. You can tell the serious ones from the hacks.
 
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