Raincharm’s Weblog

Just when you think a major project could actually be over, it isn’t.
Over the weekend we completed burrito, double burrito-wrapping our non-friable asbestos.

This was where we learned that the 6-mil clearish plastic we got from Ace Hardware was slipperier than the 6-mil clearish plastic we got from Home Depot. We were one set of plywood+tile flooring with asbestos (non-friable) mastic away from finishing our plastic wrapping when our Home Depot roll ran out. (So close, and yet so far.) I decided to not drive as far and go to the neighborhood Ace Hardware instead. Their version looked exactly like the Home Depot version. But when we cut and were duct taping the first plastic burrito, the duct tape would barely stick. And then it would let loose. After some discussion about whether the plastic had dust from the floor, we decided it was just more slippery than the other roll. Since sealing the plastic with duct tape was central to our abatement strategy it stopped us cold. In the end I went to Home Depot to get more of what we knew worked, and Carl returned the unused plastic to Ace. (To their credit, they gave us full credit even though a few feet was missing.)

And then I just jumped into the friable asbestos removal.

There was only one old duct secured to the wood joists with asbestos laden tape. Lots of water, the half-mask (which was much easier to use than those painter masks), my favorite cats paw like tool, and a large hammer. The large hammer was used to expose 6 little nails that held the metal ductwork in place – after the dangerous tape had liberated the metal duct from the joists. (Elevating a board from its normal place in a hallway floor about one inch.) The cats paw helped to liberate nails from the joists, but mostly to gently scrape tape residue from old wood.

I was so happy to have completed a task in less than one day. And – the asbestos could all leave the house in one day – today! And most of it did technically leave the house.

It got into the car. Except the one piece that does not fit into our car (48-inches square), and the other piece that was sitting next to big Bertha. I figured Carl could dispose of most of it and we would find a larger vehicle for the remaining 2.

So Carl took off for Rabanco. His report was that a line of trucks all around a little Prius. Talking to a lady in a window built to talk to drivers in tall trucks, with a quiet voice that would disappear at the end of a sentence. In the end they would not take our asbestos because it didn’t have a required sticker.

The question now is – which asbestos needs a sticker. When I called to ask they said the friable needed to be in a yellow bag with a pre-printed asbestos symbol. (I have a line on a bag.) But they were not sure about the non-friable. I am going to call again tomorrow and limit my questions to non-friable, and insist on a firm answer. (The stickers are not in stock, and their requirement poses a potential delay – arghhhhh.)

So do we unload the car? Leave it in? Rent a truck to carry it all in one load?

I think I know why some people just turn their back and throw it all in the trash.
They make it difficult to follow the rules. Even when you have read the rules.

We did manage to get a load over to a rummage sale. They are really liking your shoes Ashlan.

And for entertainment we saw the Music Man at the 5th Avenue.  It was quite well done, especially the number in the library. Lots of action with props that were well done.

For those that have made it this far, a little hereditary news.
Both Ashlan & I sleep with our eyes open (a little bit).

Always keep an eye open

This entry was posted on March 11, 2013 at 8:40 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.