Finding asbestos is not the best
The very word can strike fear into the hearts of homeowners everywhere: asbestos. Unfortunately, this health-hazardous substance was used in the construction of homes (and ships and automobiles) until the 1970s, which means unless your home is pretty new, asbestos may be lurking in a few places—including the white, insulated tape used to wrap your ductwork. But there’s good news, too: With the proper precautions, you may be able to fully encapsulate asbestos duct wrap in your home without having to go to the potentially costly step of hiring a professional. The process will require some preparation, however. Let’s dive in.
As you probably know, asbestos can shed tiny fibers into the air, which can cause serious health problems like lung disease and lung cancer when people breathe those fibers in. In most cases, asbestos-related diseases are the result of high exposure levels for long periods of time, according to the Environmental Protection Agency—but it’s understandable that most people want to reduce the chance of even minor exposure.
That’s why the first step of the encapsulation process is to invest in the proper safety gear, including a respirator with P-100-rated HEPA filters, goggles, gloves, and a disposable full-coverage suit, which will ensure you don’t track the offending asbestos fibers into your primary living area on your clothes once you’re done with your work.
Because of the highly hazardous nature of asbestos, some people are more comfortable hiring a professional, regardless of the costs—and unless you’re a very skilled contractor yourself, you should never attempt a DIY removal of damaged asbestos materials.
If your asbestos duct wrap is largely intact and contained, encapsulation may be a viable, low-cost option for nullifying the hazardous effects of asbestos. (Keep in mind, though, that painting over asbestos duct wrap can make it even more difficult to remove later, should you decide you want to.)
After suiting up in your protective equipment, head to either your basement or your attic to check out your ducts. Look for a fibrous, white tape on the areas where the ducts bend, or its joints.
If there’s exposed asbestos insulation or any of the asbestos tape is in hidden or hard-to-reach areas, you may need to hire a professional for the best results. But for asbestos-containing tape that’s mostly intact, you can proceed with the encapsulation process.
Using a sealant that’s specifically designed to encapsulate asbestos—which will work to bind with the fibers and thereby render them less of a risk—paint over the duct wrap entirely. The process will only work if no tape is exposed or unpainted, so be thorough. The idea is to cover, or encapsulate, all of the asbestos-containing material under the paint.
Warning: Encapsulating asbestos from the outside of your ducts cannot guarantee that asbestos fibers are not exposed to the interior of the ductwork, which can make its way through your home and pollute your air. While most of the asbestos fibers should stay contained in the tape, and therefore be neutralized by the encapsulation process, ductwork leaks or degradation in your ductwork could lead to health hazards without professional removal.
Allow the sealant to dry completely, and consider adding another layer for extra protection. The drying process can take between 12 and 24 hours, and it may be worth waiting up to 48 hours to ensure the encapsulation is fully cured.
Don’t forget to dispose of your disposable body suit by sealing it in a trash bag (or two) and placing it in the garbage. (For best results, remove your body suit after stepping out of your basement or attic but before walking through the rest of your living space.)
Encapsulating asbestos-containing duct wrap is a relatively easy process—but if you have a more extensive asbestos problem, or if you want to be absolutely sure you and your family are at no risk of asbestos-related health problems, it might be best to hire a professional. After all, the risks of asbestos are significant ones, and your home should be a haven of safety.
Good news: There are many local asbestos abatement companies that can help you get the job done in a timely and budget-friendly manner. That way, you can sit back, ditch the respirator, and let someone else do the dirty work.
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