Asbestos - Wall Removal and Prudence vs. Paranoia

OK, so I was working in my new home, and I was banging away at the drywall that was covering my lovely brick fireplace. When I got to the actual fireplace part, I realized I had hit asbestos. The doors to the room were closed, I was wearing a mask that said on the package “working near asbestos” (whatever that means), and I immediately left the room, closed the doors behind me, and showered, clothes and all. I had the asbestos professionally removed the next day, and they took all the plaster debris I had already created with them. So all in all, I feel relatively safe from this brief exposure.

Here’s the thing–they said the entire house may be contaminated with asbestos dust now, and that I should get the entire three-story home air cleansed, which will run close to $1500\. I have a three month old baby. He, my wife and I are planning on moving in September 1\. Of course I want everyone to be safe. But is the whole air cleansing thing necessary, or is this guy just feeding on my fear?

Part 2\. Next, I was removing a wall when I hit, you guessed it, more asbestos. This time, I wasn’t banging and I recognized it immediately with only about six inches now exposed. I really want this wall to come down. The wall is not load-bearing. Part 2A. At this point, I might as well take down a connected load-bearing wall I was going to put off seeing as it might have asbestos in it as well. It’s about a 20-foot stretch needlessly separating the first floor hall from the living and dining areas. How much will this cost? Any recommendations? Professional input welcome.

DouglasAlan

in Demolition 13 years and 9 months ago

10

Please log in, in order to post replies!

10 replies

Newest Oldest

pigthree | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5117 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4863 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14451"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "pigthree"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BLWPHnp6ACZZrNPDRPJDLuA5YeTYn3."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "pig-three-2-2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "go67racing@mac.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/pig-three/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-17 21:34:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "pig three"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14451)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

also, if there was wire mesh over your fireplace, you probably should be more concerned about the brick structure than asbestos.  It was put there for a reason.

pigthree | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5116 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14451"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "pigthree"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BLWPHnp6ACZZrNPDRPJDLuA5YeTYn3."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "pig-three-2-2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "go67racing@mac.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/pig-three/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-17 21:34:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "pig three"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14451)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

an asbestos test costs $20\.  KAM long island city

denton | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4939 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5118 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "6430"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "denton"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSAsa2zDu3dNJzZDLdlOs804lQec9t."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "denton"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "denton@speakeasy.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/denton/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:13:45"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "denton"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(6430)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Yeah, I’m with P3 on this. It would be unusual for there to be any asbestos in a wall. Having said that, all dust is harmful over long periods of time–think ‘brown lung’ (cotton dust), ‘black lung’ (coal dust), silicosis, etc.

Like mopar says, just wipe it all down with wet rags. As far as ‘air cleaning’, you can buy an air filter with a removable washable HEPA filter and do it yourself.

callalily | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5116 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5117 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "56059"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "callalily"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "callalily"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(26) "moparbrownstoner@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(20) "/forums/users/mopar/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:38:12"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "callalily"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(56059)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

His cleaning methods sound terrible. If it’s any consolation, I once dropped a shop vac with a similar load down the stairs and it spilled all over the place.

pigthree | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5119 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14451"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "pigthree"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BLWPHnp6ACZZrNPDRPJDLuA5YeTYn3."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "pig-three-2-2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "go67racing@mac.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/pig-three/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-17 21:34:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "pig three"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14451)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

there is asbestos and lead in the air of a subway station every time a train passes through.  
I’m curious as to why you had asbestos between the brick and plaster.  I have never come across this before.  could you elaborate on the situation?  Are you 100% sure it was asbestos?  Did you have it tested?

I have taken samples from walls and ceiling certain that I was looking at asbestos only to have the test come back negative

Petebklyn | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4939 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5120 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "787"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "Petebklyn"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$B4duRniQAT/SKtK28XWeOFPVwjjk5M1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "Petebklyn"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "petebklyn@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 18:03:45"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "Petebklyn"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(787)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

major over-reaction on your part. and leaving yourself vulnerable to people making big $$ of you.
$$$ better spent on therapy if you’d even consider spending that $1500.

jockdeboeraia | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5119 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5116 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "40876"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BTfkV3DGGseot8oNyuG6kVhsNhUD2n1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "jdeboer@jockdeboer.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "/forums/users/deboerarchitects/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:15:51"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "VK4zWrfWbTPHLfSSlGZI"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "jockdeboeraia"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(40876)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

When you say professionally removed, was it done by a licensed asbestos removal company?  If not, that dust is everywhere.

needmtg | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5121 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "42472"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "needmtg"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "needmtg"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "cmurthi@seeinggreen.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(18) "/forums/users/cmu/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:51:22"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "needmtg"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(42472)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

The whole asbestos thing is indeed ‘feeding on fear’ (particularly of those like you who have small kids.) Since you had it professionally removed, the chances of any contamination are basically zero (and I’d have said small even if you had done it yourself.) Besides, what the hell is ‘air cleansed’? A big fan blowing for a week? Get one yourself.

callalily | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4939 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5122 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "56059"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "callalily"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "callalily"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(26) "moparbrownstoner@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(20) "/forums/users/mopar/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:38:12"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "callalily"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(56059)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

After you finish the construction, you clean multiple times professionally and yourself, using damp rags, shop vacs, etc. Then you move the baby back in.

callalily | 13 years and 9 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5119 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5123 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "56059"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "callalily"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "callalily"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(26) "moparbrownstoner@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(20) "/forums/users/mopar/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:38:12"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "callalily"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(56059)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I don’t know about the effectiveness of air cleaning, but I do know that dust from the demolition can spread throughout an entire house regardless of whether doors are shut or not or even if you have plastic tarps covering everything. I know this from experience plastering but also with a puff-back that spread throughout the entire house from the basement to the attic.

In any case, I wouldn’t remove walls in an apartment while the baby is living there, even if the baby is not present during the demolition. All that dust gets all over the place. Plaster dust is not good for a baby, let alone wall dust containing lead, other ingredients in the plaster including potentially asbestos, feces from mice and roaches, etc., etc.

Who did you use for the asbestos abatement? I searched for months and couldn’t find anyone willing to do a small job.