Pipes and insulation
Asbestos in pipe insulation – analysis €39.90
Old pipe insulation is one of the most serious asbestos concerns, because the insulating compound can be friable and prone to dusting. Only take a sample if it can be done safely and with as little disturbance to the material as possible.
Short answer
Can pipe insulation contain asbestos?
Yes. Old insulation around heating and water pipes may contain asbestos, particularly in cellars, plant rooms and older blocks of flats. If the insulation is crumbling or dusty, do not tear at it yourself. A small sample taken safely can be analysed at Onelab for €39.90 + VAT.
Identifying the material
What do you need to know about this material?
Where is asbestos found in pipe insulation?
Pipe insulation is found in cellars, heat distribution rooms, plant rooms, older blocks of flats and the pipe runs of detached houses. The material may be white, grey, cardboard-like or paste-like.
When should you not take the sample yourself?
If the insulation is crumbling, dusty, extensively damaged or in an awkward location, leave the sampling to a professional. Safety always comes before speed.
How does the result affect a plumbing renovation?
A positive result means that removing and handling the insulation must be done as asbestos removal work. A negative result applies only to the piece of insulation tested, so insulation from different eras should be assessed separately.
Sampling
How to take a representative sample
- Do not force apart insulation that is crumbling.
- If you do take a sample, carefully detach only a small piece.
- Seal the sample in an airtight bag immediately and note the location of the pipe.
If the material crumbles, gives off dust or sits somewhere awkward, do not force it loose. Ask a professional how to take the sample safely if you are unsure.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about asbestos in pipe insulation
Check for asbestos in pipe insulation before demolition
Order the analysis online, post the sample to us and receive the result by email on the day the sample reaches the laboratory.