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Hi all. I'm looking to buy a house that is about 70 years old. It has a finished basement, and one of the pipes from the radiator system is wrapped in asbestos insulation. In general, it seems to be in good condition; however, there is one spot (a few inches wide) that has been cut or is frayed. From everything I've read, asbestos is generally more dangerous if it's removed as it can make airborne the fibers which can then be inhaled and cause cancer in 5-30 years. However, I'm not sure (1) if this is dangerous (2) if the current home owners have been living in a dangerous situation (3) if it makes sense to invest in this house without doing any asbestos removal or, at the least, repair. I spoke with a few companies today, and got an estimate of 1000-1500 for removal of the asbestos.

Is this dangerous?
Is there a way to work "dealing" with the asbestos in the contract?
Am crazy for considering this place?
Am I crazy for thinking the asbestos on the pipe is this serious?
Help!

2006-12-18 14:03:37 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance Renting & Real Estate

I am in the state of Missouri. I called around and got several bids for removing about 60 ft of pipe. All were around 1000-1500. I think the actual length of the asbestos pipe is more like 30 ft.

2006-12-18 14:29:31 · update #1

7 answers

I live in an old house with the same issue only on a bigger scale. When I bought it, asbestos was not on anyone's radar. Now I am pretty sure that I would have to address the issue or cut the price when I sold the house. That being said, if I were you and I wanted the house, I would simply cover the asbestos and leave it alone. You might consider abatement in the future before trying to sell the house.

A key thing to consider is that house likely has asbestos in the insulation, floor tile / linoleum, ceiling tiles, plaster, etc. It also has lead paint, mercury, radon, and a host of other scary things. If you have a worry-wort complex, you might want to look elsewhere.

Ask most HVAC workers and they will tell you that asbestos scare stories are overdone. I in the middle. I know it is bad stuff if disturbed, but believe you can live along side it without too much trouble.

2006-12-18 14:19:13 · answer #1 · answered by united9198 7 · 0 0

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Asbestos wrapped pipe in finished basement. Remove or repair?
Hi all. I'm looking to buy a house that is about 70 years old. It has a finished basement, and one of the pipes from the radiator system is wrapped in asbestos insulation. In general, it seems to be in good condition; however, there is one spot (a few inches wide) that has been cut or is...

2015-08-11 04:16:48 · answer #2 · answered by ? 1 · 0 0

I bought an old house to get thr lot. It had the same issue, It cost me $100.00 to have the material removed and an EPA letter issued by the service provider that it was properly handled and disposed of.. That included removing the old vinyl flooring installed before 1985.

I'd employ a professional, look in the yellow pages and get several bids. The inspector may be able to remediate only the defective portion, but generally speaking if it is in an area that will not be in contact w/people or further disturbed, the rule of thumb is leave it alone. The asbestos dust is the real issue. Your estimates seem very high, if you are in TN email me for a few names.

2006-12-18 14:26:29 · answer #3 · answered by hithere2ya 5 · 1 0

I wasn't going to answer this because there's already so many good answers but I just had to disagree vehemently with Jake B. I lost a family member to mesothelioma. He worked in a shipyard for only 6 months as a young man and was exposed to asbestos. It took his life. Asbestos is extremely dangerous and removal should only be done by qualified, well-equipped professionals.

2016-03-16 02:10:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Have you have a professional home inspector? I would get their opinion. However, the way they're dealing with asbestos these days, is to leave it put. It gets very dangerous when it's disturbed, you're right about that. Chances are though, you'll have to do some type of work in the future, and it'll have to be removed. I would have the cost of removal deducted from what you'll pay for the house, and have it removed before you move in.

2006-12-18 14:13:53 · answer #5 · answered by bon b 4 · 0 0

Asbestos could eventually start to flake in the future. Remove it early on and spare yourself the agony. Then have people come in and check how much of the particles got into the air.

2006-12-18 14:11:45 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0 0

You could put the removal of the pipe insualtion in your bid for the house. Either way you need to have it removed.

2006-12-18 14:09:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

I often end up submitting the same thing on other sites

2016-08-23 13:09:06 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

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