Removing asbestos rope - fireplace.

[moustachebandit]

Intending on removing an old fireplace from the house - some hideous 1960's kit build. Having a close look at the fireplace, it appears the may have used asbestos rope to insulate the surround from the hearth - its sandwiched between the two panels.

Now I am going to try and take the whole thing out in 1 piece to save disturbing anything but was thinking that it would be worth finding a way to trap the asbestos rope so it can release any fibres as the fireplace gets removed.

Idea 1 is to repeatedly soak the asbestos rope in water mixed with PVA to lock any fibres in, then cover the area in neat PVA to full seal it off.

Idea 2 gets some duck tape and tape over the rope so it cant go anywhere or release fibres?

If anyone has any suggestions on a better approach that would be appreciated.

Thanks

James

[944fan]

Hire a professional asbestos removal firm? Wont be cheaper but better than dying of a hideous illness later in life.

[dirkgently]

Idea 1 would be favorite.
ETA
That`s what a specialist contractor would do.

Edited by dirkgently on Tuesday 5th June 13:15

[Robb F]

944fan said:

Hire a professional asbestos removal firm? Wont be cheaper but better than dying of a hideous illness later in life.

Asbestos is an accumulative problem. A single dose of it is going to do naff all. I wouldn't think twice about doing a small amount of it myself.

[944fan]

Robb F said:

Asbestos is an accumulative problem. A single dose of it is going to do naff all. I wouldn't think twice about doing a small amount of it myself.

I would rather not test it for the sake of a couple of hunred quid.

How do you know this is the only dose the OP has been exposed to?

[Robb F]

944fan said:

I would rather not test it for the sake of a couple of hunred quid.

How do you know this is the only dose the OP has been exposed to?

If you'd worked with it or learnt about it you would understand. You quite simply are not going to get ANY issues from a one off exposure to a tiny amount of asbestos fibres.

You remember those square ceiling tiles at school. Asbestos.

You're still alive aren't you?

More usefully to the OP:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/homeandcommunity/plann...

[944fan]

Robb F said:

If you'd worked with it or learnt about it you would understand. You quite simply are not going to get ANY issues from a one off exposure to a tiny amount of asbestos fibres.

You remember those square ceiling tiles at school. Asbestos.

You're still alive aren't you?

More usefully to the OP:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/homeandcommunity/plann...

Yeah, I didn't remove the ceiling tiles at school.

A quote from the link you posted:
•always seek professional advice before thinking of removing asbestos materials

[Robb F]

Meh. Enjoy being £200 lighter for a job no more dangerous than using a circular saw.

944fan said:

A quote from the link you posted:
•always seek professional advice before thinking of removing asbestos materials

No need. I'm already qualified

[goldblum]

Take the rope out and chuck it in the bin.I did mine 15 years ago.

[moustachebandit]

Thanks for the concerns! I have actively avoided messing with Asbestos over the years and I am very cautious about doing anything that may even involve asbestos.

Logically though the asbestos rope is a very small amount which can hopefully be easily sealed prior to removal. If the whole fireplace comes out in 1 piece then my only concern will be it shedding fibres as I am digging the fireplace out of the wall.

Coated in PVA and then taped up the chance of any fibre release is going to be tiny?

Cheers

[944fan]

Robb F said:

No need. I'm already qualified

Wasn't aimed at you mate!

My point was that the person asking the question doesn't know what they are doing (no offence OP). You are trained & qualified and know how to control the dust, how to mitigate the risks and how to test the air afterwards to make sure ACMs haven't been accidentally released into the air. A professional does everything they can to avoid ever coming into contact with fibres.

OP - the amount of ACM sounds very small and I assume isn't damaged so you probably could remove it carefully and it would be fine, its your risk. As Robb says probably no more dangerious than using a circular saw and I've seen plenty of people cutting up MDF with no mask or safety glasses

[grumpyscot]

My Dad used to work (unprotected) with this stuff when he fitted gas fires etc back in the 1950s. He's still alive and he's 90 and can breathe better than I can!

[Robb F]

944fan said:

Wasn't aimed at you mate!

My point was that the person asking the question doesn't know what they are doing (no offence OP). You are trained & qualified and know how to control the dust, how to mitigate the risks and how to test the air afterwards to make sure ACMs haven't been accidentally released into the air. A professional does everything they can to avoid ever coming into contact with fibres.

OP - the amount of ACM sounds very small and I assume isn't damaged so you probably could remove it carefully and it would be fine, its your risk. As Robb says probably no more dangerious than using a circular saw and I've seen plenty of people cutting up MDF with no mask or safety glasses

no worries.

I agree about MDF dust, nasty stuff.

But I'd still say do one cut without a mask, such a small amount of the stuff will do diddly squat.

[jjones]

i may have once hacked off an asbestos drainpipe with an angle grinder. thought it was concrete, oh the joys of being a youth.

[robsa]

Hi mate

Asbestos rope is mainly white asbestos (chrysotile) although it may contain traces of other types. It will also be almost pure. Whilst it is unlicensed, removing it is something you should do carefully and prepare for if you wish to do it yourself. Wear latex gloves and a breathing mask, wet it down and put it immediately into a proper asbestos waste bag if you can. Wipe down all surfaces and throw the wipes into the bag as well.

If you are really worried you could get an air test after to check for fibres (but I wouldn't bother tbh)

As long as it wasn't dry and friable it will be fine. Some people argue that chrysotile does not cause mesothelioma and lung cancer and certainly it is in no way as dangerous as blue/brown.

here is a link to a page that might help from the HSE:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/a25.pdf

cheers

Robsa

PS Just so you now though, there is no SAFE LEVEL for exposure to brown/blue asbestos (such as crocidolite, actinolite tremolite and so on) so if you were very very (very) unlucky you could die from a slight exposure of it.

Edited by robsa on Wednesday 6th June 23:03

[moustachebandit]

Thanks for the replies - I will soak the exposed rope down with water and PVA to lock the fibres in.

If I can get the whole fireplace surround and hearth out in 1 piece then I wont even have to disturb the asbestos rope and it can remain sandwiched between the 2 parts.


Whilst we are on the subject of asbestos and fireplaces - does anyone know if asbestos cement has been used in the past to line the flue of a fire? Seems unlikley from the reearch I have done but people may know different?

Thanks

[robsa]

I have never come across it but it is possible I suppose. AC is easy to spot - if you can break a corner off (wrap a wet wipe thickly round and use pliers to break off a 1-2cm piece), drop it into a sample baggie and you will see the fibres in it. It's pretty safe stuff if in good condtion as long as you don't try cutting or rubbing it but again needs to be disposed of correctly.

Cheers

R

[essexplumber]

Remove it very carefully then chop it up and do a few lines of it

[essexplumber]

jjones said:

i may have once hacked off an asbestos drainpipe with an angle grinder. thought it was concrete, oh the joys of being a youth.

I give you a week tops.

[Shaolin]

Robb F said:

You quite simply are not going to get ANY issues from a one off exposure to a tiny amount of asbestos fibres.

People have developed mesothelioma from a single exposure or even a single fibre - feeling lucky punk?