Vent Pipe Removal

[jhousto4]

I want to move my daughter's 40 gallon gas water heater from a closet in her small kitchen to her garage. One potential problem is that the vent pipe for this water heater is concrete pipe. I have purchased and sent to a laboratory a sample of the pipe collected by pressing wide Scotch tape against the pipe (while wearing mask and gloves).

I am in the process of preparing a Statement of Work for the completion of the water heater move consisting of tasks that I know I can complete (e.g. installation of a protective bollard and the hot water stand at the garage installation). In the advent that the lab reports that the pipe contains asbestos, who do I get to perform the removal?

I want to remove the existing closet in her kitchen in order to have room to install a larger refrigerator. In order to do this I need to remove at least the length of the pipe between the old vent hood and the top of the dry wall above the old water heater (less than 24"). I would accept leaving the old vent from the top of the vent to the vent cap if that is allowed by code.

Any help on this would be appreciated.

Jim Houston

 

[plumb_bob_square_pants]

You need to call around to find someone that is licensed / certified to remove and dispose of abestos. Not knowing your area it would be easiest to call around. Best place to ask would be a home renovation contractor to find out who they use. But beware, they may be definite if they perceive you as competition.

 

[frodo]

Bob is correct.

asbestos is only dangerous when it is airbourne

that is why the pros squirt it with water from a pump sprayer and put it in a plastic bag, as they are removing it

they work in teams of 2, one squirts as the other handles..

there is a drift here..did you catch it?

 

[jhousto4]

After I posted the question it occurred to me that there might be a simpler solution. Why couldn't I just have the contractor disconnect the concrete pipe from the ceiling joists (supported with straps), push the pipe up about 24 " and extend the 6" metal roof vent in which the concrete pipe is installed (concentric arrangement)? The vent would of course be non-functional but it would mean that I would not have to dispose of the concrete pipe (i.e. abandon in place).

Jim Houston

 

[plumb_bob_square_pants]

Rule of thumb. If it's hot, you don't touch it or move it. If it becomes friable and then air borne you give the home owner grounds to sue you. And besides the cost of decontamination of a residence the health costs if they can pin them on you will blow your small budget. Remember this when it comes to silica dust as well because if you contaminate a home with this then you are in lots of trouble.

 

[jhousto4]

Rule of thumb. If it's hot, you don't touch it or move it. If it becomes friable and then air borne you give the home owner grounds to sue you. And besides the cost of decontamination of a residence the health costs if they can pin them on you will blow your small budget. Remember this when it comes to silica dust as well because if you contaminate a home with this then you are in lots of trouble.

Thanks for the response. I was hoping that by having the contractor cut the metal straps supporting the concrete pipe to the joist, extending the existing 6" metal duct on the roof and pushing the pipe up into an extended 6" duct, damage to the concrete pipe could be avoided (pipe section in attic appears to be in excellent shape). The pipe, since it is being abandoned, could then be supported mechanically without risking damage to the pipe by reattaching the straps (e.g 2X6 under the pipe between the joist).


I hear you on doing anything with this nasty stuff and will try to find someone qualified (and certified) in this area to get a read on the abandon in place idea.

 

[plumb_bob_square_pants]

Get a test to find out if it's hot. That will basically guide you which way to go.

 

[jhousto4]

Get a test to find out if it's hot. That will basically guide you which way to go.

Yep, sent a sample from the concrete pipe to SLGI Laboratories for analysis (collected by applying wide scotch tape to the pipe). I hope to have the results back in a week or less.