Asbestos in washing line pole?

[mrdinkle]

Hi All,

We have this old washing line pole in our garden and it looks a bit suspicious to me. It needs to go as it stands in the way of progress (my new greenhouse).




Could it contain asbestos? It looks fibrous to me, I don't just want to smash it down....

Thanks for any advice!

[jemma_charlie]

I just had n asbestos check done on my property and that looks the same as my drain pipes which are asbestos
if you want me to post pictures so you can compare i will.
Apparently if you wear gloves and a mask when removing it and dispose of it double bagged at the tip you should be fine. This is what the asbestos man told me to do when i change my airring cupboard doors which are asbestos.

[mrdinkle]

Yes pics would be great thanks Jemma.

I would be a bit wary about disposing myself as it is too long to get in the car for a start - which would mean cutting in half (so that would release fibres). Also I am unsure how far in the ground it is.

[Capsid]

You need to be exposed to the fibres on a day to day basis for there to be an issue. The health problems are associated with those who work with asbestos. Wear a mask and bag it up is the correct advice.

[mrdinkle]

Thanks Mark - I am not knowledgeable on this as you can tell

So I can get the angle grinder on it?

[zazen999]

It looks like Grey asbestos, which is not as bad as other types.

For info - what happens is - the tiny fibres are too small to be coughed up if inhaled [the cough reflex usually clears the lungs] so they can make their way down. They embed themselves in your lung tissue and because they are inorganic, ie won't break down, you get a build up of scar tissue in your lungs as it thinks it needs it. The scar tissue builds up and thus you lose lung volume. Over years, with lots of it, you lose significantly enough lung volume to make your breathing bad. It can also get into the lining of the lungs etc etc etc.

Basically, break it if you can, cut if you have to but don't cut it with a saw or anything that will create a dust, wear the best masks you can get hold of, double bag it up and take it to the tip - they will allow some asbestos removal but not builder sized amounts. I'd also wash down with water immediately and dispose of the sluce into a bag [soak it up with old rags or something] and take that with you.

ETA: angle grinder - NO!!!

[mrdinkle]

Hmm, perhaps the best course of action would be to use a sledge hammer to break the surrounding concrete, remove it whole and then try and get it in 2 pieces without releasing too much dust.

thanks for the info!

[zazen999]

Someone reversed into my neighbour's asbestos down pipe on their lovely 60s concrete garage and it broke clean in half...you might try and knock the bottom of the washing line and see if it cracks before smashing up the concrete.

[mrdinkle]

Yup, might give that a go. Thanks again.

[zazen999]

Sorry, also, if you do have to smash - wrap a damp cloth around it to capture all the bits.

Asbestos isn't an issue if you keep the dust down and manage the demolition. When they demolished the asbestos roof here just before Christmas - I couldn't watch and went to the co-op for a long leisurely shop so that I couldn't see what they were doing. I believe I also went to *bucks and shelled out on a coffee to prolong the trip. My H&S would kick in and I'd never have slept if I watched them with sledgehammers knocking it all down.

[jemma_charlie]

here as promised are my pics

[mrdinkle]

Thanks again zazen and Jemma_charlie for the pics. Does look very similar looking.

I think the washing pole is quite substantial thickness - must climb up and take a look into the top.

[Stacey Steve]

I used to be a lagger and worked with asbestos for about 10 years.

Long term exposure to the fibres obviously increases your risk but it only takes a couple of fibres to lodge in the lung tissue and you have a potential risk.

If you are going to remove it yourself, paint it with a couple of coats of watered down PVA glue, to stop surface fibres causing a problem.

If you are going to have to break it, then have someone hosing it down with water to stop any dust.

[Nicos]

Ermmm..won't the Council send an Inspector round to check it out first??...or would the wait mean no greenhouse until 2010????

Your health is more important than a greenhouse I'd think?????..your call of course!

[BrideXIII]

I used to be a lagger and worked with asbestos for about 10 years.

Long term exposure to the fibres obviously increases your risk but it only takes a couple of fibres to lodge in the lung tissue and you have a potential risk.

If you are going to remove it yourself, paint it with a couple of coats of watered down PVA glue, to stop surface fibres causing a problem.

If you are going to have to break it, then have someone hosing it down with water to stop any dust.

QFT!

keep it wet and the PVA is a great idea for small jobs, anything that keeps the dust from flying around, as for getting rid, ring your local council, they may have to dispose of it depending on type of asbestos.