should I remove asbestos duct

sc168

hi,

my house was built in 1978. i am looking to replace my hvac unit. So far, I have 3 hvac professionals came in to give me quotes. To my surprise, I was being told that my upstairs duct is wrapped with asbestos. 1st guy was really concerned and told me i should replace these ducts with new ones. he said he would hire an abatement company to remove these old ducts. 2nd and 3rd guy were not as concerned. they said it's up to me if I want to replace them....2nd and 3rd guy also said they can remove these ducts without hiring a 3rd party.

I am not sure who is right.....and not quite sure what to do. I am also concerned about removing these ducts without hiring an abatement company. I am just afraid that would make things worse.

any suggestion is welcome. thanks!

JJboy

YES

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allthumbsdiy

you probably should get it tested to make sure it is asbestos.

If it is, I would personally hire someone to take them out as leaky supply and return ducts can draw in and blow those particles, imo.

gregzoll

Doubt that it would be asbestos in a home built in 1978. Can you post pictures of the material and any markings.

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Pirulo

If it isn't broken, don't fix it. I mean, if you are going to keep leaving there, leave the asbestos untouched, spray and seal it with thick paint, and let it be, no need to spread that stuff all around the place where you live. Don't disturbe it if you can. So, you have 2 options really: Leave them alone (after painting them) or hire real abatement company.

allthumbsdiy

I would normally agree with leaving it alone but what if there is even a small gap between air ducts?

COLDIRON

Don't tell either Company anything yet. Get it tested and post back .

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Marty S.

Shouldn't be asbestos but as already stated the only way to know for sure is have it tested.

Pirulo

The gap in the air ducts is no problem, the problem would be having air blowing right through the asbestos (and may be carrying some asbestos particles). If you seal it, it will not move at all in normal operation. And this wrapping is only in the exterior of the ducts. Don't touch it or disturb it, paint it, and them enclose them in drywall so nor you or your family can touch or disturb them.

By the way, I was talking to a friend, he is a contractor, and he said "you know about what they say about the asbestos, me and my brother have been living and playing in the basement of our old house, and we had all the ducts wrapped in asbestos, so no doubt we where exposed to them, and never had any problems", the guy is now 65 years old now and still kicking.

Gissle

You really need to get specialist contractors in to remove it, if it really is asbestos.