Asbestos tape wrapped ducting removal
We purchased a 1951 built one-and-a-half storey house about 4 1/2 years ago. At the time of purchase we were made aware that all the heating ducts were fully wrapped in asbestos tape: not a concern unless they were disturbed (was the usual advice).
However electricians, furnace cleaners and other contractors were, rightfully, refusing work.
We were finally in a position to do something about it, and decided to coincide the asbestos abatement with a furnace upgrade.
We contracted Armstrong Environmental to do the asbestos abatement. (Note: during asbestos abatement an environmental assessment needs to occur to ensure safe air quality - we contracted Tritec Environmental Consulting for this work)
Armstrong were very courteous and thorough when they first came to the house to give us a quote.
Then were very patient when we decided to delay the project from last autumn until the spring, honouring their initial quote.
The week before the work commenced they revisited our house to talk over some more specifics, and to plan out their approach, clarifying their time commitments etc. To simplify their work we moved out of the house for the week that they did the abatement.
On the morning that they started, they arrived promptly and carefully answered our final questions. For our house, with two vertical heat runs to the second storey, and most other ducts accessible from the basement, they took two days to set up containment areas, two days to remove the asbestos wrapped ducting and spray an encapsulant, and a further day to do tear down of the enclosures, once the final air sample came back clear. We were good to return to the house Friday evening.
On return we could see that everything had been removed efficiently and as we expected.
For the two vertical runs, the walls had to be opened (which had been agreed going into the project), so the crew had cut our plaster walls to the stud, and made it as clean as possible (see picture). All other areas were in similar condition as they were before the abatement. There was no noticeable dirt or dust.
As for payment options, they allowed us to pay with e-transfer.
All in all we were very pleased with the work, and feel a lot more comfortable in our home now that we do not have this asbestos threat present.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $5,300.00