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wh moved out on 12/20/13 and the list of house problems keep growing.

My 29 yr old son moved in with me and is aghast at the issues that I am left to deal with.

I knew we had asbestos but wh told me it was fine and everytime I mentioned removing it, he would say he was going to do it himself. So I would shut up. I knew it should be done professionally. That is just part of a long story of control.

Anyway, now the asbestos is not fine. There are cracks and tears. Way beyond my ability to pay for. Anyone ever encapsulate it themselves? Is this something that is feasible?

I just feel overwhelmed by all this and have no clue what to do. I can't even sell as I am underwater and the house is in my name only.

Just add it to the list.

Sorry, any buyer today is going to want it removed. Professionally yes, and it's not cheap.

What length of pipe is insulated that way?

Can,

Most of the time, you are not "required" to professionally remove the asbestose unless you are selling the house.

Is the asbestose crumbling or cracked? If it is not, there is an asbestos coating you can buy at any home improvement store. It's an epoxy 2 part mix that you apply like paint. If it is cracked, you will need to wrap the pipes in asbestos tape. Make sure you overlap by at least 1/4 inch for best results.

These are both temporary fixes. They should maintain any airborne asbestose. But you will need to have it professionally removed if you ever sell your house.

Asbestos removal takes specialized (and expensive) equipment to do right. See this US EPA page: http://yosemite.epa.gov/r5/r5ard.nsf/2f86cbca09880b61862565fe00588192/e7b966d2cd03cc3c86256fc7006c5469!opendocument

or search us EPA asbestos homeowner

Generally the asbestos insulation can be repaired, a buyer (and mortgage writer) will typically want the asbestos removed as a condition of sale.

If it is on boiler lines it is probably a spring/summer job when the heat can be shut down.

Hi Can,

I'm not sure what options are available for the wrapped pipes but in our state you need to disclose the asbestos, not remove it, when selling. see: http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/environmental_health/eoha/pdf/realtorguide2011.pdf

for abatement options check out a few of the DPH sites: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2718&q=325496&deepNav_GID=1646#Asbestos

I have it inside as well as asbestos tiles under the vinyl siding since its an old house from the 1920s. bought the house this way. the advice I've gotten so far is "don't disturb it" since it's all in decent shape and not torn/ripped.

There was quite a bit of asbestos in my house when I moved here 18 years ago. On all the boiler pipes in the basement and also on some old hot air ducts leftover from the coal heat when the house was built. We had it professionally removed at a cost of about $2500-3000 I believe. It's well worth the cost for peace of mind.

There are not many buyers who would buy a house with friable asbestos without either requesting that the owner have it removed OR requesting an allowance for the cost of removal/remediation. You will pay either way, might as well get it taken care of.

Can,

I see money is already an issue, but a lawyer maybe able to get your X to come up with half or better for the repair.

I truly have no idea and just offer it as an alternative.

I don't think she is selling the house. Just asking for her and son's personal safety. I'm sure she will confirm this.