[gregzoll]

You can do it yourself. If there is Asbestos on the tape on the boots. The only way to know is to send a sample off to be tested.

 

[gregzoll]

It's actually asbestos insulation around the boot, not just tape. Are the boots hard to replace?

Did you have it sampled, or just taking the word of the guy that came in to give you an assessment on costs for updating the furnace?

 

[gregzoll]

You cannot just take someone's word on this. You need to get it sampled. There are two different versions of that tape. One that had Asbestos, and one that did not. Only way you are going to know, is to send a sample off.

As for removing it. Use a spray bottle with a couple of drops of dish soap and luke warm water. Spray the tape down really well, let it set for a minute, then pull it off into a plastic bag.

Once done, bag the bag into another with the gloves and mask and call it done. Do not mix the clothes you were wearing in with the rest of the clothes in the hamper. Place them into the clothes washer after you are done, and you will be fine.

I had the choice of paying more for the company that installed our furnace, to remove any tape from the ducts and boots, or doing it myself. Not that hard to do, as long as you do it in the right way. And since it is such a small amount, there is no problem tossing it into the regular refuse.

The other way is to just leave the tape, paint it with the mastic and call it done.