Understanding Asbestos Safety | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House host Kevin O‘Connor meets with environmental contractor Ron Peik to talk about asbestos, when it’s dangerous, and the steps required to identify and remove it.
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Host Kevin O’Connor meets Alpine Enviromental’s Ron Peik at the shop to learn everything he needs to know about asbestos.
Asbestos was known as the “Miracle Mineral,” and as such, it was used to produce an astonishing amount of materials used in homes and consumer goods. But Its dangers have come to light over the past few decades, and now many homeowners are wondering what the real scoop is.
Where to find it?
Environmental contractor, Ron Peik demystifies asbestos and shares options for
mitigation. He explains that asbestos exposure only happens when the material is
disturbed. He warns that complications can arise due to overexposure over prolonged
periods of time. To identify all potential hazards in a building, Ron recommends having
an Asbestos National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) [www.epa.gov/co...] survey conducted by an environmental contractor.
On average asbestos mitigation will run from $2-5k. Costs vary depending on the size of
the project.
For this segment, our expert was Ron Peik, environmental contractor [www.alpine-env...] and president of Alpine Environmental [www.alpineenv....].
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From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
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Understanding Asbestos Safety | Ask This Old House
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[@seamusbegley]

Great intro video to asbestos! Another note I wish they would have mentioned: asbestos is very common in pre-1980 applied drywall texturing, and joint compound too. It's generally a lower percentage, but still harmful. It's actually pretty uncommon to find gypsum board itself containing asbestos. The texturing and joint compound were often batch mixed on-site with asbestos, so if you take samples yourself, make sure to grab multiple samples of texturing, and drywall and joint compound to ensure you have a representative sample. Generally if there's less than 1000 square feet, take 3 samples of drywall+jc, and 3 samples of texturing. Grab more samples, like 5 - 7 of each, if the amount of material to be disturbed is greater than 1,000 square feet. Take small quantities, wet the material prior to cutting, and vacuum any dust with a HEPA vac. Another note, if your samples come back between 1% - 10% asbestos, you can request the lab to re-analyzed them by "400 point count" methodology. This method can potentially return a result less than 1%, which the standard analysis cannot do. It's more expensive so check first with the lab before requesting it. But please remember that even if the asbestos containing building material is less than 1%, it can still expose you to asbestos fibers. Some states regulate workers disturbing

[@coreyernst553]

They also mixed it into plaster to help bind it together and give it strength, so before you demo old plaster get that checked as well!

[@rickwallace2091]

I saw Bob Villa interview a guy years ago, and he said they dump the asbestos back in the abandoned or closed mine.

[@PtrOBrn]

I remember my grandfather once mentioned he worked in an asbestos pit at a steel mill.

[@phonedave]

My grandfather was a marine machinist - worked on ships. He used to talk about how he used to leave when the workers would bust the asbestos cement off the steam lines. Even back then he said said he did not feel right breathing it.

[@EliteSnake]

This Old House holding down the fort as always, really appreciate this channel

[@almaxie342]

This video is spot on. Technically perfect.

[@robertbamford8266]

Interesting. In our old Boston apartment, exposed hot water heating pipes running up the walls were a burn hazard - so we put on asbestos sleeves. Who knew.

[@liammcgough9969]

Thanks for the video. I found out the shingles on my 1950's Levitt ranch has asbestos shingles but, they are painted and good condition. Thanks for the piece of mind.

[@JimDean002]

I remember in the '70s my dad installed an under counter light that he was afraid would get hot so we went and bought a sheet of that cementation asbestos and cut it with a hand saw right out front. No masks or anything. When we moved it was still underneath that light hanging over the kitchen counter. The house we moved into was built in 1926 and I use the furnace room as my work room. I was a teenager by then. All of the pipes had asbestos wrapping and of course we didn't know it was bad so I would use them to hang things. There was always asbestos dust floating around down there. Probably why my lungs are so screwed up today.

[@eaglevision993]

Ususally this is considered as small exposure which generally has no harmful effect. To cut a piece of asbestos cement sheed once and be in a boiler room is not going to harm you. Now if you always disturbed the integrity of the insulation, that is another matter. But just to sit next to bonded asbestos will do nothing. Same goes for asbestos shingles and vinyl flooring containing asbestos. As long as they are undamaged everything is ok. Just don´t rip them out dry.

[@overrunwithboys216]

Can you shed some light on how expensive it can be to isolate and have a special team come to remove this- if a renovation must be done?

[@mjm.9082]

My house was built in 1886 with cedar shingles on the outside; long before I ever owned it, most all the houses in my neighborhood had been built by the mill town (and several other neighborhoods), and were covered with asbestos shingles because of its durability, fire-retardant, and that it takes paint really well. The town decided it was best to keep the asbestos shingles in place so the fibers would not get into the air or streams nearby. Most of the houses were all painted at least 10 - 20 years ago, and the siding still looks great and has held up well. I had my house repainted about 10 years ago and it still looks great.

[@newsield76]

In the many places I've lived and remodeled State to state have some different from the EPA. In New York 1988 remodel I had to pay 25K to remove it all, 4 years later the company that did mine was bankrupt and in court for not doing it to EPA or state law. So lost a lot trying to sell house.

[@steveschwartz6138]

Good informative video. I bet Kevin's neck is sore from looking up so much.

[@SolipsisticElixir]

Dude is tall

[@nighthawkj30A4]

I use to live in house built in 1964 it has Lead Paint and asbestos. Best to not disturb it. I live in a alittle newer house now late 1990’s. So i don’t worry as much

[@aaronrodriguez110]

wow...congrats?

[@michaellinner7772]

Holy crap! Does asbestos turn people into giants?

[@stratonarrow]

Lmao

[@motoz3939]

Yes

[@carlosaranda7749]

No it gives you cancer

[@TT-mk8tw]

This one of the videos I should’ve watch 5 years ago.. my 1923 house has insulation that’s known to have asbestos but the home owners added new insulation on top so I found out when we were changing ceiling lights… now I have to pay 10-12k to get rid off it.. Thankfully I did good since the house is in a nice neighborhood and has doble in price in just 5 years! 5:13

[@RoosterG33rs]

its not a bubble. its not a bubble. its not a bubble. its not a bubble.

[@vapeurdepisse]

​@@RoosterG33rs it's still going up brah, with 8% rates. It will only go higher when the economy tanks and rates are 3 again

[@dgrblue4162]

Asbestos is perfectly fine so long as the wrapper isnt damaged. A lot of pipe insulation used in the past was cloth or paper based and those can degrade over time.

[@laurie6123]

How common is it in the drywall or plaster, 1956 house, mid Michigan

[@MISOGANY]

Decently common. Don’t be surprised if it’s on old floor tile or used as wrapping for old school furnace vents.

[@ProAlchemist]

I had drywall tape from the 70s or so that contained asbestos

[@newsield76]

For the most part After 1946 or 47' drywall was labeled with some mention of fire proof or the likes. Those likely have asbestos. My Goldbond 1944 drywall tested negative. The hot water pipes had a wrapping containing asbestos and removed by wetting, wrapped, and bagged. All in my Michigan house remodel.

[@seamusbegley]

Drywall texturing, and drywall joint compound was often mixed with asbestos. From houses I've surveyed in California, I'd say it's a 60% / 70% chance your joint compound or texture is asbestos containing, assuming the house hasn't been remodeled since.

[@garyswisher]

You can still find products with it, although you might have to do some digging around. Canada was still mining asbestos (in Asbestos, Canada) into the early 2000s. Doing any renovation or demolition work requires an inspection for asbestos.

[@kc0lif]

fascinating subject.

[@carloscortes7266]

If you ever work on your stove and have to do a hidden heating element. Be careful because you do have to tamper with the asbestos insulation in your stove.

[@george-101]

"He's about 6 feet 11 and 7/8 of an inch", Tommy Silva

[@Waffels420]

Can asbestos installation be pink and yellow with brown paper on the outside

[@zazamartein]

No, that would be glasswool or Rockwool insulation.

[@PeteyPab1015]

Pink and yellow is likely fiberglass insulation. The brown paper is a vapor barrier

[@IsaacFontenot-ez7ko]

Thank you. Very informal

[@georgew8586]

When I watch these home improvement shows, especially of older homes, I often wonder how much potential asbestos is being let loose, yet you don’t see folks wear a mask in all of that dust and debris. Same with potential lead paint, never a mention of how to abate this. Yes it’s expensive, but cheaper than the potential medical cost.

[@SubToRandomVideos101]

Move to canada wooo

[@KJF-ny]

They've shown many segments of abatement over the years. This is one of the shows that doesn't hide much from the audience, other than the TV magic of making things get done quicker.

[@georgew8586]

@@KJF-ny Hi agree with TOH has been great in discussing this over the years. I was speaking about all of those other shows, where they rip apart an older home and modernize it and never discuss the potential for any abatement that should be considered.

[@GlennC789]

What I really want to know, and was hoping this segment would tell me a bit about, is what is the actual risk to dealing with a small amount of asbestos on an individual basis. I know I take a thousand different risks every day, if I rip out some floor tiles in our 1947 house and just wear a dust mask, how much risk am I accepting? Compared to my drive to the supermarket, for example, or a short hike in bear country? I know there are way too many variables and actual unknowns to answer that quantitatively, but I'd like a better idea than "avoid the slightest exposure at all costs," which just isn't realistic.

[@jgood005]

@@GlennC789 They obviously can't tell you that. If they downplay the risk at all, some idiot will get asbestos poisoning and sue the show since they suggested he'd be OK with minimal exposure.

[@kurtkuipers9473]

Well done well, what is the price

[@sunset200]

Can it be painted or lime washed?

[@whicky1978]

Kevin O’Conner is 6’1’’

[@cdavidlake2]

Sounds like a big business.

[@ro-landocalrissian4633]

I’m curious, a part of my room wall is crumbling & there is a white powder..could this be asbestos?

[@THE_RYANN]

if its a newer house its probably just drywall

[@ro-landocalrissian4633]

@@THE_RYANN it’s an old building

[@Cypher791]

How did they find this guy? Magic beans? 🌱😮

[@johnroberts2444]

I love watching TOH ,Its so informative & helpfu with good tips & tricks on building things & homes !!! 👍😊🛠

[@FKS1994]

holy crap that guy is tall!

[@thomassears4920]

Sounds a lot like Rockwool

[@jeremyallarie6832]

Don’t forget about duck/pipe wrap has asbestos too

[@snomass1]

I’d say he’s 6-10

[@rob_boss]

Good lord how tall is he?

[@georgeryan9139]

Well you can tell, if the house is old (before 1960), the previous owners have done much work and it’s dry with rapping that has exposure, you can say this is asbestos.

[@ronevans852]

I bet that’s a high price or deal.

[@0blivioniox864]

Is lobstah guy still around?

[@dgrblue4162]

That fella is quite tall.

[@cyn5962]

Yikes!

[@jej3451]

Sounds like a great material. Where can I buy asbestos-based products for my projects?

[@garyswisher]

Surprisingly you can still get it in some products. It is hard to find but is still out there. I'm an asbestos inspector and have seen newer buildings with materials that have tested positive. I've also seen old buildings with no asbestos.

[@zunedog31]

Definitely don't want to use asbestos.

[@ekujj13]

For context, the guy on the left is 5’10”.

[@takr797979]

6’ kevin looks tiny .. lucky Tom wasn’t hosting this segment

[@JasonLLC]

That dude is tall.

[@HAMRADIOJOE4178]

ID SAY 6' 9''

[@vapeurdepisse]

It's DIY-able. Just keep it super wet and maintain negative pressure with a Festool extractor. Wear a Tyvek suit and P100 respirator (shave your beard). Not rocket science.

[@TheRealGOTdurrrred]

That's dangerous advice. No one listen to this guy. It's also illegal to remove yourself

[@TheRealGOTdurrrred]

@@vapeurdepisse look it up. You're the kind of idiot who gives their whole family lung cancer and can't figure out what happened...

[@vapeurdepisse]

@@TheRealGOTdurrrred You're wrong on both counts.

[@TheRealGOTdurrrred]

@@vapeurdepisse nope. It's illegal here in Idaho BECAUSE it's dangerous. Asbestos kills people. Don't be that guy that kills his whole family because he doesn't like to research things before doing something dangerous

[@theswed82]

1883 House and I breath it daily when the HVAC kicks on.

[@SubToRandomVideos101]

Dummy

[@bluegrasskid]

How’s it going? I’m wondering if the 1930’s brick in my living room and bedrooms are becoming dangerous. I saw some brick dust on the hardwood floor when I came home today. Kind of concerning.

[@saulgoodman2018]

I didn't realize how short Kevin was, until now.

[@Painmaster212]

Kevin is like 6'1 though , so not a short guy. The other guy I believe, is around 6'8 to 6'9.

[@mistereric416]

Is that a giant

[@jimmallow1195]

His bio says 6'4", someone else commented 6'1". Regardless that's a big tall man and knows his business.

[@zeitGGeist]

Frodo and gandelf

[@kevinclark6289]

If I was a betting man the Giants wife is probably about 5 ft 4

[@priceandpride]

lol do you think homeowners care about safety?

[@eprofessio]

What makes it dangerous is that 100% of the time it get manipulated or disturbed and the moment that happens you are exposed. So it’s very dangerous.

[@GeorgeGraves]

A little exposed. Or a lot exposed. There are different amounts. Keep it wet if you want to remove it.

[@JarlBarbossa]

You can paint it with an encapsulate

[@bobwhelk2118]

Ok - who’s the giant or who’s the midget?

[@greencello599]

The giant is Ron Peik, an environmental contractor who helps clean old homes of toxic materials like asbestos and lead before major demolition takes place for renovation. He's been on This Old House a number of times when a house needs to be tested and abated for asbestos, lead, or even smoke damage.

[@Mike_Greentea]

They're both the same height just an illusion created by the lighting 🤔

[@carlosaranda7749]

Cancer in a bottle