Asbestos any more????

[mheriot]

My father gave me a hand this weekend with a plumbing project and brought over some old asbestos sheets (about 18"x18") that we placed behind copper joints we were soldering to prevent the surrounding wood from burning or catching fire. The sheets took the MAPP flame just fine protecting everything it was supposed to. I see a lot of pictures on this site where wood is scorched and burned due to soldering; do they not make a similiar product to the asbestos anymore? Is it a matter of people being lazy? Just curious.

[ToUtahNow]

My father gave me a hand this weekend with a plumbing project and brought over some old asbestos sheets (about 18"x18") that we placed behind copper joints we were soldering to prevent the surrounding wood from burning or catching fire. The sheets took the MAPP flame just fine protecting everything it was supposed to. I see a lot of pictures on this site where wood is scorched and burned due to soldering; do they not make a similiar product to the asbestos anymore? Is it a matter of people being lazy? Just curious.

As a construction manager you are probably aware you likely were violating OSHA rules when you used the Asbestos. It's a great material and while I have never had an issue with it (coughed it up for years) some have and as such it is illegal to use today. They do make some mats to prevent scorching of wood but any decent plumbed knows how to solder without ensuing damages.

Mark

[mheriot]

As I am well aware of OSHA regualtions I think I was good, I doubt OSHA is going to find me in my basement.

[Service Guy]

Are you even permitted to do plumbing in your state without a license?

Wel you say you're from MA. Assuming thats massachusetts, then its illegal for you to be working on the plumbing system (especially the potable water system) even in your own house without a plumbing license and pulling a plumbing permit.

[Aaron91]

As I am well aware of OSHA regualtions I think I was good, I doubt OSHA is going to find me in my basement.

It's not for their safety, it's for yours. :withstupid:

[ToUtahNow]

I would not be too hard on his father for hiding a piece of Asbestos away. Back in the early 70s the shop I was working for had a bunch of the old-timers hoarding the stuff in fear they would never find anything like it. To this day I don't believe anything is made which will compare to it.

Mark

[Aaron91]

Why jeopardize your health over a $20 health shield Mark?

Asbestos is known to cause lung damage and cancer. I rather not carry a 'tool' with those side effects in my tool bag.

Even if it wasn't broken/disturbed it's still too big of a risk too me.

Where's Bob at when ya need 'em? ;)

[plumberscrack]

Why jeopardize your health over a $20 health shield Mark?

Asbestos is known to cause lung damage and cancer. I rather not carry a 'tool' with those side effects in my tool bag.

Even if it wasn't broken/disturbed it's still too big of a risk too me.

Where's Bob at when ya need 'em? ;)

I own an old asbestos glove. Can't remember the last time I used it but it really saves my butt when the copper is touching the PVC. Had a newer one which was crap like Mark said. Keep it sealed in a ziplock and handle it carefully with gloves...no biggie.

Spare me the lecture Bob :groucho:

Aaron I'll bet there is at least 5 other items in your tool box that will kill you quicker than a asbestos shield :eek:

Any guesses which ones they are? :scratchhead:

[BHD]

Not trying to be a smart Azz here, but according to the government ever thing causes cancer to day, even a well cooked steak is said to have carcinogens in it,

But I do not think one is going to contract lung cancer for using a asbestos mat for a flame guard.
I am not saying that there is not a danger to the stuff, but it would not surprise me in the future you will see fiber glass scandal or some other product out there demonize as well, yes up close working with any dusty product cause health risks, jsut plain dirt and dust can cause Silicosis, but my guess smoking was the major cause of many of the deaths that were attributed to the asbestos, not saying that it may not had a contributing effect.
Everything was made with it at one time, brake shoes, floor tile, glues, dry wall, shingles and siding, use for pipe insulation in commercial and home use, used in ceiling tiles, and the list goes on, and for most the dust mask was not yet even invented, if one wore a hanker chief that was protection.
yes one should take precautions,

there is no such thing as a risk free environment,

wait until they take the solvents out of your PVC glues and you can not keep the pipe together as some one will soon say they either contribute to global warming or it is dangerous to your health.

the EPA and OSHA has screw up and cost the American people thousands and thousands of additional costs in the removal of products and has created sub standard products in its wake, (honestly how much lead is going to be consumed by kids on industrial and construction and automotive paints)?

I am not saying there should not be some common sense laws and rules regarding chemicals and substances use and the handling of them.

but using a piece of asbestos mat is not going to kill any one. yes I know there are "laws out there for our protection" but how much of a nanny state do you want. do you want me to tell you how much to eat as if you have more chips at lunch you could get fat, or can only have one soda a day, or you can not drive over 25 because speeds over 25 are more deadly if a crash happens,

I am sure the person being discussed here has a good knowledge of the "dangers of asbestos" and is intelligent enough to make a rational decision on how it was used, I really doubt if he scraped fibers off of it to snort.

some times there are products out there that work really well for some purposes, and yes there are risks with them, but there are risks in most everything one does, and some people even search out things to do that are have a higher degree of risk than other things, (many sports come to mind here).

below is a cartoon that comes to mind for this discussion,

[mheriot]

Are you even permitted to do plumbing in your state without a license?

Wel you say you're from MA. Assuming thats massachusetts, then its illegal for you to be working on the plumbing system (especially the potable water system) even in your own house without a plumbing license and pulling a plumbing permit.

Nope, I'm not permitted.

[mheriot]

Why jeopardize your health over a $20 health shield Mark?

Asbestos is known to cause lung damage and cancer. I rather not carry a 'tool' with those side effects in my tool bag.

Even if it wasn't broken/disturbed it's still too big of a risk too me.

Where's Bob at when ya need 'em? ;)

If the asbestos is too much of a risk then I can safely assume that you wear a resiprator when soldering or brazing correct?

[Service Guy]

Nope, I'm not permitted.

And yet you ask for FREE advice from licensed pros. Nice.:loser:

[Aaron91]

If the asbestos is too much of a risk then I can safely assume that you wear a resiprator when soldering or brazing correct?

In confined spaces I even wear a half mask respirator when using cpvc glue.

I'm curious, are you OSHA certified?

[JCsPlumbing]

And yet you ask for FREE advice from licensed pros. Nice.:loser:

Ditto. What's strange to me is he lists his occupation as a construction manager. I don't think I've ever known a construction manager that didn't know multiple plumbers. Hmmmm..... Why doesn't he just ask them?

[ToUtahNow]

Why jeopardize your health over a $20 health shield Mark?

Asbestos is known to cause lung damage and cancer. I rather not carry a 'tool' with those side effects in my tool bag.

Even if it wasn't broken/disturbed it's still too big of a risk too me.

Where's Bob at when ya need 'em? ;)

You are not old enough to have worked with Asbestos but I worked with it every day for years without any problems. Although Asbestos is now illegal and there are special requirements for removing it I guarantee you, you come in contact with materials containing Asbestos several times each day without knowing it.

Mark

[mheriot]

In confined spaces I even wear a half mask respirator when using cpvc glue.

I'm curious, are you OSHA certified?

Yup, I am OSHA certified.

Glad to see that you can recognize potential hazards and are taking proper safety precautions when you need to. I wish all contractors were as proactive as you, it would save me a good hour or two a day.

The purpose of this thread was to see if they had a present day solution as asbestos is not used anymore; not for people to lay into me for using the stuff. Don't worry, I mounted a couple layers of it to a piece of plywood with a handle to minimize contact.

[mheriot]

Ditto. What's strange to me is he lists his occupation as a construction manager. I don't think I've ever known a construction manager that didn't know multiple plumbers. Hmmmm..... Why doesn't he just ask them?

At the moment we do not have plumbers on site so this forum is the easiest way for me to ask muliple people in one shot.

Are you questioning my profession?

[Aaron91]

Mark, I'm sure I do come in contact with asbestos several times a day without realizing it, but I'll gladly pay $20 and buy a high quality heat shield then use one containing asbestos.

To each their own.

[HVAC HAWK]

how about lead ,when i started plumbing 25yrs ago i remember putting in a lead shower pan and then taking lunch with lead on my hands . who would have thought it was going to be bad for you .

[mheriot]

Mark, I'm sure I do come in contact with asbestos several times a day without realizing it, but I'll gladly pay $20 and buy a high quality heat shield then use one containing asbestos.

To each their own.

Alas, an answer! What material are these high quality heat sheilds made of; ceramic, fiberglass?

[plumberscrack]

Alas, an answer! What material are these high quality heat sheilds made of; ceramic, fiberglass?

Mine was a fiberglass sheet with some impregnated fire retardant

I wouldn't exactly call it high quality

Didn't catch fire but it also didn't block the heat like my asbestos sheild

[NHMaster3015]

You know what's really bizzarre about asbestos is that though you have to jump through hoops to remove it, you can still buy 50lb bags of the stuff. The law says you can't remove it without being certified, but you can still install it. Go figure.?

[saysflushable]

Goll I think he asked if there was something comparable on the market.

To answer his question I used a home owners heat shield he bought for a HOME project he couldn't finish. It work very good although I've never used an asbestos cloth so I can't compare it to that.

I for one am not threatened by homeowners doing plumbing projects.

[westcoastplumber]

I for one am not threatened by homeowners doing plumbing projects.


I like homeowners that do their own projects, because even if it works then, a few months down the road they call me.

:thumbup2:

[westcoastplumber]

To answer his question I used a home owners heat shield he bought for a HOME project he couldn't finish. It work very good although I've never used an asbestos cloth so I can't compare it to that.

I for one am not threatened by homeowners doing plumbing projects.


I would never use a homeowners tool of any type, they pay me to come to their house prepared.

I am the professional, I know whats required to complete a job, and it should be on my truck.

but to each their own.

[saysflushable]

Goll I think he asked if there was something comparable on the market.

To answer his question I used a home owners heat shield he bought for a HOME project he couldn't finish. It work very good although I've never used an asbestos cloth so I can't compare it to that.

I for one am not threatened by homeowners doing plumbing projects.

[Service Guy]

G
I for one am not threatened by homeowners doing plumbing projects.
:rant-on:
I don't mind answering questions about legitimate plumbing projects. But when people are knowingly breaking the law to do their own unlicensed rough-ins or whatever, I won't be giving them any advice or encouraging that in any way. They should be hiring a licensed professional in those situations.
I guess I shouldn't respond to this sub-forum, because it seems a good chunk of the questions here come from people doing major plumbing work unpermitted, unlicensed because they are too cheap to hire one of us.
:rant-off:

[mheriot]

I like homeowners that do their own projects, because even if it works then, a few months down the road they call me.

:thumbup2:

Not all homeowners are incompetent. You only know about the ones that have to call you when they get in over their heads and pooch an install. How many are out there that successfully do some of their own work, licensed or not?

On the other hand some homeowners do their own work even though they have no idea what they are doing and are mechanically stupid. I just moved into a place where one of the previous owners did all of his own work, and it shows. Sump pumps piped into city sewer, washing machine hard piped into drain with no air break, all copper was installed with no hangers (supported by gas line, ducts, etc.), dishwasher drain plug not removed on garbage disposal, and I will save the electrical issues for the proper forum.

[NHMaster3015]

:rant-on:
I don't mind answering questions about legitimate plumbing projects. But when people are knowingly breaking the law to do their own unlicensed rough-ins or whatever, I won't be giving them any advice or encouraging that in any way. They should be hiring a licensed professional in those situations.
I guess I shouldn't respond to this sub-forum, because it seems a good chunk of the questions here come from people doing major plumbing work unpermitted, unlicensed because they are too cheap to hire one of us.
:rant-off:

You know, I've been to the dentist a bunch of times and I'm pretty sure I could do that kind of work. Any one want to be my first customer.? What, no takers. Chickens :banghead:

[Service Guy]

You know, I've been to the dentist a bunch of times and I'm pretty sure I could do that kind of work. Any one want to be my first customer.? What, no takers. Chickens :banghead:

I should have been a dentist.:grin:

[aero1]

hmmmmm what should i play with now i know malaria nooo arsenic maybe ebola yea that sounds fun naw i guess well theres always asbestos, well to much time spent here its back to the mines for me got to work on that black lung.

[JCsPlumbing]

At the moment we do not have plumbers on site so this forum is the easiest way for me to ask muliple people in one shot.

Are you questioning my profession?

I don't know if I'm questioning your profession or not. I'm just the plumber. But I can contact at least 5 electricians, hvac techs, carpenters, roofers, drywallers, painters, etc. locally that I know. So I guess I just don't get why you don't know any plumbers locally.:confused:

J.C.

[mheriot]

Like I said no plumbers on site as of yet and probably won't be for another 10 months or so. Haven't been any plumbers on site for the past 8 months or so either so instead of calling a plumber from my last job I thought it might be easier to just throw up a thread.

[gobby]

I would never use a homeowners tool of any type, they pay me to come to their house prepared.

I am the professional, I know whats required to complete a job, and it should be on my truck.

but to each their own.





I second everything you said there.

That’s why you can charge $80 an hour and up.

4 years of schooling

Living on spam while your in school studying your a$$ off

And having to spend $30,000 in tools and having to bring them to the customer’s job site.

Totally justified brother

[DuckButter]

And yet you ask for FREE advice from licensed pros. Nice.:loser:
He's in my state...one of the worst as far as DIY plumbing.
I've been down this road and find it best to avoid topics for illegal DIY work.
Had my share of ugly spats on this topic.

[DuckButter]

Like I said no plumbers on site as of yet and probably won't be for another 10 months or so. Haven't been any plumbers on site for the past 8 months or so either so instead of calling a plumber from my last job I thought it might be easier to just throw up a thread.

I'm a plumber in Ma, PM me if you need a plumber...I have friends in almost every part of the state.

[DuckButter]

You know, I've been to the dentist a bunch of times and I'm pretty sure I could do that kind of work. Any one want to be my first customer.? What, no takers. Chickens :banghead:
I doth myth own denthal.

[Service Guy]

He's in my state...one of the worst as far as DIY plumbing.
I've been down this road and find it best to avoid topics for illegal DIY work.
Had my share of ugly spats on this topic.

Thanks for the tip. You and I think alike based on your posts. And I know these things will never stop coming up, so I guess you are right, I should just stay out of these threads in the future.
It will keep my blood pressure lower anyway!:D