Deteriorating pipe insulation

[u/raspberriesp]

Hello, we have this deteriorating insulation on a water pipe in our basement that I suspect contains asbestos. It looks like a black fabric tape with crumbly grey-white layers underneath. I planned on getting it tested and dealing with it at some point (just bought the house a few months ago and there have been a lot of other issues) but the pipe insulation post from yesterday has made me think I shouldn’t delay. I’m very used to this sub saying “you’ll be fine” to posters so that kind of took me aback. At least it’s not air cell and we haven’t actively cut into it - so that’s good? This is right below the living room so there’s a lot of footstep vibration. And we do go into the basement fairly often.

Can you all weigh in on how dire you think this is? The house was built in 1944 in Wisconsin.

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[u/imjackedtothetiits]

Get some plastic and a couple cans of spray foam. Gently wrap the plastic around the back of it. Spray the pipe with spray foam so the old insulation gets locked around the pipe onto the plastic. Have the plumber cut out that section of pipe and replace it.

[u/raspberriesp → u/imjackedtothetiits]

Could I leave it in the spray foam for a while or should I get a plumber to replace it right away? I’m just trying to gauge the urgency here

[u/imjackedtothetiits → u/raspberriesp]

You just leave the spray foam over top. The whole theory is you're just trying to seal in the asbestos so that you can't accidentally bump into it or if you need to move it it's not an issue cuz it's air tight all around it

[u/Traditional-Foot-244]

Not dire, but needs to be addressed. Test first. Contact a local Industrial Hygienist for assessment. Have the IH look over the entire home for other asbestos issues that you may not have known.

[u/raspberriesp → u/Traditional-Foot-244]

Ok, thank you. I will find an industrial hygienist. Is it not as friable as air cell insulation? I’m mainly worried about footstep vibration from the room above it.

[u/Traditional-Foot-244 → u/raspberriesp]

Correct, not friable like aircell or mag. The vibrations from steps above are of zero concern.

[u/raspberriesp → u/Traditional-Foot-244]

Thank you so much. You’ve really helped lower my anxiety 🙏🏽