Main electrical panel beside a subpanel with its cover removed

Asbestos awareness for appliance and HVAC jobs in older homes: what to leave alone

Many building products made before the 1980s contained asbestos, including furnace duct tape and paper wrap, pipe and boiler insulation, cement sheet and millboard near furnaces and stoves, furnace door gaskets, resilient floor tiles and sheet-flooring backing, joint compound and textured paint. You cannot identify asbestos by looking at it. Material in good condition is usually safest left alone; cutting, sanding, drilling, scraping or tearing it releases fibers. Sampling, repair and removal are for trained, accredited professionals.

Cross-checked ~10 min easyBrands: All

Before you start

Do not saw, sand, scrape, drill or break suspect material
Do not sample it yourself; improper sampling can release more fibers than leaving it alone
Do not sweep or vacuum debris from damaged suspect material with an ordinary vacuum

Diagnostic steps

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OnCall Tech is a reference tool for trained technicians and can make mistakes. Always disconnect power and confirm with the manufacturer's documentation before you work.

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