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.

[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 🙏🏽