I am in the process of demolishing a bathroom and came across this inside the wall. Two channels clad with asbestos from floor to ceiling. They look like they have been in place since the construction year 1968. However, one of them is deliberately sealed. They contain neither water pipes nor ventilation. Does anyone have any idea what these might be?
It is a villa and directly below the bathroom is a laundry room. On the roof, there is no opening where the ducts (or whatever they are) would have otherwise come up.
Looks like ventilation pipes made of eternit (not covered with asbestos but square pipes entirely of eternit) which were common in the 60s. Even if they are not used now, they probably served as an exhaust duct from a room on the floor below previously.
It spontaneously feels like they were intended as ventilation ducts, but perhaps towards the end of the construction, it was solved differently (with ventilation through the wall in the bathroom and laundry room instead).
A big thank you to everyone for the quick responses and engagement! Is it possible to remove these safely on your own? Eternit contains asbestos... I assume it's safest to let them stay. However, I would need the space where they are...
Yes, it's simple. Always make sure to wear a mask with good protection during demolition, regardless of asbestos presence.
If you live in the house, try to thoroughly seal off the area with plastic and tape.
Then remove the ducts in as large pieces as possible. If you have to break or saw, make sure it's very well-ventilated. But try to avoid doing this.
After the operation is complete, wipe down with a wet cloth several times.
Make sure to wear gloves and a protective mask; if you want to be extra cautious, buy a full-cover disposable overall.
If you live in the house, try to thoroughly seal off the area with plastic and tape.
Then remove the ducts in as large pieces as possible. If you have to break or saw, make sure it's very well-ventilated. But try to avoid doing this.
After the operation is complete, wipe down with a wet cloth several times.
Make sure to wear gloves and a protective mask; if you want to be extra cautious, buy a full-cover disposable overall.
Feel free to soak the eterniten before handling it as well. Or spray it with contact glue and apply plastic film. Something that binds the loose fibers, simply put. And have a garbage bag ready nearby. How much you choose to protect yourself is optional.