Use the old air duct or get a new one?

jilli_2009

14 years ago

I bought an old house built in 1951. The dust piled up inside of the air duct. I can see that asbestos dripping down the duct at least at one place. Should I clean the old duct and fix it where it is brokn? Or should I hire a professional abatement specialist to remove the old duct and put a new one? Which way will minimize the risk of the exposure of abestos for me and my family? Thanks.

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Comments (5)

drifterray
14 years ago
Are you sure this is asbestos ?, Have you had it tested. The reason I asked because if it is asbestos. It is very costly thing to remove. If it is asbestos and I understand your concern. I would recommend having everything remove even all the duct work. I have been in the HVAC field for 21 years and had some experience with this. This something you do not want in your home. Make sure who ever does the work is licensed for asbestos removal and ask them to test a sample.. It is a big project
jilli_2009
Original Author
14 years ago
To drifteray,

I think it is asbestos although I haven't had it tested. I can get a test. My concern is that removing the duct will pose a greater risk of exposure than leaving it alone even if the removal is done by a licensed specialist. The cost ($700 for the removeal) is not my concern.
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creek_side
14 years ago
I think the asbesto abatement specialist will just remove the asbestos, and anything in the way, meaning the duct. You would probably have to hire a mechanical contractor to replace the duct.

Any chance whatsoever of asbesto in that duct means you need to take care of it. Asbestos sealed into place somewhere is one thing, having it hanging out in a moving air stream is another thing altogether.
spot09
14 years ago
Since it is 1951 my guess is it was probably a gravity warm air system which means there was no blower to force the air up back then. The town that I live in was invested with them. They were wood or coal, then converted to gas or oil. I have in the past replaced a lot of them and found the dirt in the ductwork to be more of a problem than the asbestos. It may sound strange but as long as you do not tamper with the asbestos it is safe. Whereas if you are putting in a new furnace that now comes with a blower you would not believe what is in your ducts. Because it was gravity the dust collected for over 50 yrs. In some cases I had it actually comes out in sheets. you have to see it to believe it. They now have duct cleaning company's that will clean them but I found it so much better to start fresh. If you do nothing when that blower starts up asbestos will be the least of your problems. If you do not want to remove the ducts but are concerned with the asbestos you can cover them with duct insulation made for that purpose and that will cover you, at least in MA. In my area they have companies that will remove the asbestos and the pipe. In fact they will remove the whole furnace and then you just start fresh with no worries. If your ductwork has a cardboard covering on it, it is asbestos.
paulbm
14 years ago
If your house is that old, there is a good chance that you have asbestos in you floor tile, carpet, ceiling tile, maybe even your siding out side, and you probably still live to 90
years old. later paulbm

Use the old air duct or get a new one?

Comments (5)

drifterray

jilli_2009
Original Author

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Use the old air duct or get a new one?

Comments (5)

drifterray

jilli_2009Original Author

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creek_side

spot09

paulbm

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jilli_2009
Original Author