Municipality wants to change district heating meter

[Eija Johansson]

The municipality wants to replace the district heating meter and has hired a company for this. The technician who came refused to do the work, as he claims there is broken asbestos in the water pipes...the municipality demands decontamination. Wondering now if the pipes can be encapsulated instead of decontamination? Anyone know? My house was built in 1965. A decontamination cost is at least 10,000kr + VAT.

 

[Tompafix]

The municipality wants to replace the district heating meters and has hired a company for this. The technician who came refused to do the work because he claims there is broken asbestos in the water pipes... the municipality demands remediation. I wonder now if the pipes can be encapsulated instead of remediation? Anyone know? My house was built in 1965. A remediation cost is at least 10,000kr + VAT.

Check your contract to see who owns the pipes.
Where I live, the supplier owns the pipes all the way up to the shut-off valves under the district heating exchanger itself. So if you’re lucky, the responsibility lies with them since they own them.

 

[Eija Johansson]

I live in my own villa…

 

[Tompafix]

I live in my own house…

Yes, so do I.

 

[Tompafix]

I have Vattenfall as my provider and this information is available on their page about what they and the customer are responsible for.

 

[Dilato]

The municipality wants to replace the district heating meter and has hired a company for this. The technician who came refused to do the work, claiming that there is broken asbestos in the water pipes... the municipality demands remediation. I'm wondering if the pipes can be encapsulated instead of remediation? Anyone know? My house was built in 1965. A remediation cost is at least 10,000 SEK + VAT.

It costs zero kronor if you do it (remove the asbestos insulation) yourself.

 

[Eija Johansson]

Thank you for the engagement! What I'm wondering is if it's possible to encapsulate the pipes that probably have asbestos in their insulation? What can they be encapsulated with, if that's the case? Or do they need to be completely remediated? They need to be addressed for those who are going to replace the heat meter to undertake the job...

 

[Eija Johansson]

It costs zero kronor if you do it (remove the asbestos insulation) yourself.

How do you do it? What materials can you use?

 

[Eija Johansson]

How do you do it? What material can you use?

Must the insulation be removed? Encapsulate?

 

[fribygg]

Thank you for the commitment! What I wonder is if it's possible to encapsulate the pipes that probably have asbestos in the insulation? What can be used to encapsulate them, if so? Or do they need to be completely remediated? They need to be addressed for those who will replace the heat meter to undertake the job…

Can't you get a respirator, disposable coverall, wet the insulation and remove it yourself? Not free but limited cost maybe 1000kr and a few hours work on a Saturday morning.

 

[Dilato]

Thank you for your engagement! What I'm wondering is if you can encapsulate the pipes that likely have asbestos in the insulation? If so, what can you encapsulate them with? Or do they need to be completely remediated? They need to be addressed for those who are going to replace the heat meter to take on the job...

Of course, you can encapsulate. The simplest way is probably plastic film like cling film in the kitchen or the type that is used to wrap goods on pallets, or wrapping suitcases at the airport. Then they can replace the meter, and you can fix it more thoroughly at your leisure.

 

[Eija Johansson]

Of course, you can encapsulate.
The easiest way is probably plastic film like cling film in the kitchen or the type used to wrap goods on pallets, or a suitcase at the airport.
Then they can change the meter, and you can fix it in peace when you have time.

Ok…then maybe my idea with thick plastic and duct tape wasn't so crazy after all 😉

 

[fribygg]

Ok…then maybe my idea with thick plastic and duct tape wasn't so crazy after all 😉

But it's a waste of time, tearing off the insulation, putting it and the clothes in a garbage bag, and sealing it is quickly done and then you don't need to worry, nor does the plumber.

 

[lordi]

Cleaning oneself is a bit tricky besides the health risk.
The situation may arise where the contractor wants to see a certificate from the authorized cleaning firm that performed the work.
If it turns out that an amateur performed the cleaning, they may demand a complete cleaning of the room, which involves a significantly higher cost than 10,000 SEK.

 

[Eija Johansson]

Decontaminating yourself is a bit tricky besides the health risk.
The situation may arise that the contractor wants to see a certificate from the authorized decontamination company that performed the work.
If it then turns out that an amateur performed the decontamination, they may require complete decontamination of the room, which means a significantly higher cost than 10,000 SEK.

Exactly right. I don't dare take any chances and will contact a decontamination company that will hopefully encapsulate the two pipes in question. There is a checklist that the decontamination company must fill out. Then we'll see what happens when the heat exchanger needs to be replaced completely. Right now, it's only the meter that's concerned. The strange thing is that I have had a service agreement with the municipality regarding the heat exchanger, and the meter was replaced just a few years ago WITHOUT anyone reacting to the pipes that now need to be addressed🤔😳