How To Cut An Asbestos Pipe

How to install an asbestos chimney

To make a chimney for a gas-powered stove from asbestos, you need to make sure that such a pipe has a diameter that is larger than the main one. For insulation, you can use mineral wool, which should preferably be arranged in several layers. The casing should be selected with a size wider than the base by 6 millimeters. Such a process can be represented by the following necessary actions:

  • Insulation should be carried out using rolled mineral wool. She needs to enlighten the winding of the pipe;
  • Thermal insulation equipment will be a must. You can use foil-clad polyethylene for this purpose, which is attached to metal staples or with a wire;
  • Another possible option for insulation can be the purchase of a pipe of such a diameter that can be put on the base pipe in such a way that there is no large gap between them. Usually the size of such a pipe is 5-10 centimeters larger than the base one;
  • The elements must be joined, and after that, additional intermediate places must be filled with insulation material;
  • Fill with cement on top. This must be done so that the insulation layer is protected from various influences of the external environment.

If, despite the indicated shortcomings in chimney systems of this type of pipes, it was decided to use them for ventilation, then you need to adhere to some recommendations during the installation process:

  • Installation should be carried out in such a way that the base is a reinforced concrete slab or stone laying.
  • The presence of "fluff" is obligatory in those places where the pipe crosses the overlap.
  • For such a design, additional care should be taken about the integrity. For this, all formed gaps and gaps must be filled with a special material that is not flammable.
  • It is best to fill such voids in the structure with expanded clay, sand or cinder concrete.
  • At the place of passage through the roof of the house, it is imperative to build a special device that will protect against precipitation.
  • The fixation of such a connection should be carried out with a sleeve, which can be formed using a solution of cement with sand.

An obligatory moment will be to ensure sealing at the points of connection. For this, a conventional heat-resistant sealant is suitable. Additionally, clamps are used, attaching them from above to the connection points.

It is important to understand that the use of an asbestos pipe is allowed only if it is possible to place it in the chimney structure at a sufficient distance from the heating source. Also, a good installation option would be to mount it in an existing brick chimney, where, due to the characteristics of both structures, all fire safety requirements and optimal chimney operation will be met.

Asbestos chimney

The device of the ventilation system of the furnaces is quite demanding for those materials that are used in its arrangement. Here are some parameters that asbestos pipes cannot satisfy in their characteristics:

Demand Feature of asbestos pipe
Due to the presence of substances in the chimney that have a sufficiently high temperature level, it becomes necessary to resist the pipe material to such indicators. An asbestos pipe cannot withstand temperatures that exceed 300 degrees. Plus, the rubber seals on it, without which the chimney design is not possible, also stretch and lose their appearance. The pipe itself is cracking.
In the gases that leave in the form of combustion products through the pipes, there is a large concentration of heavy substances. They then form soot and dirt on the surface they come into contact with. Therefore, there is a need that the material from which the chimney pipe is made does not accumulate such substances. They are not able to conduct condensing substances outside, which is why they soon become clogged and covered with a large amount of soot on the walls. This is due to the large porosity of the material.

Considering the two above criteria, which in part are decisive in the installation of a chimney, we can conclude that asbestos pipes are not very suitable for such a purpose. This is especially not worth doing if the chimney comes from a coal or wood-burning stove. However, it is possible, without any inconsistencies with the fire safety requirements, to mount such pipes in the intermediate or final part of the chimney structure. They are suitable for such chimney segments in terms of their weight and their price is also low.

The only option for an asbestos chimney can be if the heating device runs on gas. In this case, there is a need to deal with additional fire safety and make insulation. This can be done using a special insulation layer and casing. The latter consists mainly of metal that has undergone a galvanized process. The casing will become a protection if the pipe cracks or breaks, provides hermetic properties, and a layer of insulation material will prevent the formation of condensing substances.

Asbestos pipes cost and dimensions

There are many variations for the use of asbestos pipes, this can be explained by knowing some of their features, especially their price range. You can often find applications of this type of pipes for chimney systems. An asbestos chimney pipe has some positive aspects, but there are also various nuances in this application. To understand whether it is necessary to put an asbestos pipe in the chimney and how to do it, it is better to understand this issue thoroughly.

  • 1 for asbestos pipes
  • 2 Features of asbestos pipes
  • 2.1 Asbestos free-flow pipes
  • 2.2 Asbestos pressure pipes
  • 3 Asbestos chimney
  • 4 How to install a chimney from asbestos pipes
  • 5 Pros and cons
    • 5.1 Conclusion
    • Pros and cons

      In addition to the fact that the asbestos pipe is strong enough, it also has additional positive aspects:

      • Can withstand a certain threshold of negative temperatures;
      • Serves for a long time;
      • Possesses low hydraulic resistance;
      • Resistant to chemicals;
      • Resistant to high temperatures not exceeding 300 degrees;
      • Can be installed in open ground;
      • Low prices;
      • Has resistance to corrosive processes;
      • It is lightweight;
      • It is characterized by the convenience of the connection, which occurs with a special coupling;
      • Large variety of sizes.

      Despite the fact that there are a lot of advantages, including the fact that an asbestos pipe is much more profitable to purchase compared to a brick pipe, it has many disadvantages:

      • There is not enough heat capacity to provide powerful traction;
      • Strongly absorbs condensate and various heavy substances from the exhaust gases;
      • There is no possibility of using in places and installations where the temperature regime exceeds 300 degrees;
      • Cannot be cleaned due to the inability to equip any access to the pipe in the form of a hatch;
      • Possibility of mounting only in vertical position;
      • If the temperature regime is exceeded, then the asbestos pipe can not only crack, but also explode;
      • Acts on the human body by excreted harmful substances.

      The asbestos material of pipes is good for those heating systems that are not characterized by a high level of power, and the gases that come out of the chimney have already cooled down or are not able to heat the pipe to 300 degrees.

      Asbestos pipe after explosion

      Free-flow asbestos pipes

      This type of asbestos pipe is widespread, especially in the construction industry. This type of pipe can be characterized as follows:

      • They have a specific gravity that is actually less than steel pipes;
      • Resistant to corrosive processes;
      • Weak degree of resistance to high temperatures;
      • Cannot withstand a strong decrease in the temperature level;
      • They accumulate various substances that come into contact with them;
      • Not susceptible to electric currents;
      • The time that needs to be spent on installing this type of pipe is very small;
      • Does not require the installation of additional heat-insulating materials;
      • Resistant to fire;
      • Highly resistant to shock waves;
      • Capable of increasing their strength when exposed to water.
      Properties Unit. Conditional passage, mm
      one hundred 150 200 300 400 500
      Length mm 3950 3950 5000 5000 5000 5000
      Outer diameter mm 118 161 215 309 403 508
      Inner diameter mm one hundred 141 189 277 365 456
      Wall thickness mm nine ten 13 sixteen nineteen 26
      Crushing load, not less kgf 460 400 320 420 500 600
      Bending load, not less kgf 180 400
      The value is tested. Hydraulic Pressure MPa 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

      Features of asbestos pipes

      As you can see, based on the list in the price list, asbestos pipes come in sizes from 100 to 500 millimeters in diameter, and the length is usually 3.9 meters, or 5 meters. There is an asbestos pipe with a diameter of 700 mm, but it is very rare and has not been delivered to the conveyor in production because it has too much weight.

      The constituent parts of the pipes are concrete, in which some of the reinforced fibers are present. The proportional ratio of these components is 85% to 15%. In the manufacture, use this proportion by mixing it with water. The resulting mixture is poured onto a mesh drum. After the film is formed from the solution, it is wound on a special rolling pin, the dimensions of which correspond to the future size of the asbestos pipe.

      The varieties into which asbestos pipes are divided can be:

      • Free-flow;
      • Pressured.

      How can an asbestos cement pipe be cut

      Pipes made of asbestos cement have been actively used for several decades in various areas of construction, for household needs and in everyday life. Sometimes this material simply does not exist. What, for example, is the best way to build a chimney in the basement or lay ventilation in the ground? The superior properties of thick wall asbestos cement pipes are well known. They are resistant to dampness, rotting, decomposition, high mechanical stress.

      In the process of performing many types of work, it is often necessary to cut a piece of pipe or shorten an existing workpiece. Just like that, very quickly, it will not work. If you apply considerable effort to some place in the pipe, the pipe will simply burst. And we want to get even cuts. Therefore, the cutting process should be approached thoroughly, competently. For example, you will not be able to do such an operation in the same way as it can be done with asbestos-cement slate. As you know, slate can be pierced with a nail in several places, and then broken along the done mowing line. It is impossible to pierce the pipe like this due to its thick walls.

      There are several ways to cut asbestos-cement pipes, which will be presented below:

      1. Cutting with a conventional hacksaw for metal. The complexity of this method lies in the fact that dry material is cut very poorly, and the blade quickly becomes blunt. Often, to saw off a pipe with a diameter of 10 cm, you may need a dozen hacksaw blades. The solution is to cut wet material. However, simply wetting the cut with water will not be enough. Asbestos is very slowly saturated with moisture. The pipe must be wrapped with a cloth or thick cardboard, and then moisten their surface. Keep the pipe in this state for a couple of hours, periodically wetting the cloth or cardboard.

      A cutting line should be applied to the wet surface of the pipe, after which you can start cutting. The moisture-saturated pipe will be cut very easily, and the number of dull blades will be reduced.

      2. Using an angle grinder. With this tool, a pipe of any diameter can be cut in a couple of minutes. However, do not use cut-off wheels for this, as they are erased from friction against the pipe at great speed. Place a diamond wheel of the appropriate diameter on the angle grinder and get to work.

      When exposed to a high-speed tool on the pipe surface, a large amount of asbestos dust is released, which adversely affects the respiratory tract. To prevent this, periodically moisten the cutting area with water. It will be even better if the master is directly involved in cutting the pipe, and his assistant. Moisten the cut with water.

      3. Application of a special cutter. Since such tools are used relatively rarely, and their cost is significant, this cutting method has not received much popularity. Nevertheless, when there is a mass cutting of asbestos-cement pipes, the cutter is able to put the cutting process on stream.

      The work is done in the following order. A line of the future cut is drawn around the circumference of the pipe. Then the cutter cuts a recess for a couple of millimeters. After that, the pipe can be easily broken by placing a hard roller under one of its sides.

      Using one of these methods, you will be able to cut an asbestos-cement pipe of any diameter evenly and correctly in a short time.

      How to cut an asbestos cement pipe

      Asbestos-cement pipes are very popular in construction. And it cannot be otherwise, because such pipes are easy to install, resistant to aggressive media and exceed their metal counterparts in terms of service life. But very often during work it is required to cut these products, so many are worried about the question: how to cut asbestos-cement pipes?

      Cutting pipes angle grinder

      • Angle grinder with stone disc. This cutting requires two people. One will cut the angle grinder on the pipe, and the other will pour a small, thin stream of water from a plastic bottle onto the cutting area. In this case, all the dust in the air will not fly, but will drain as dirt to the ground.

      We cut pipes with a hacksaw and a cutter

      • Hacksaw. You can try sawing an asbestos-cement pipe with a hacksaw. But for this, the pipe must be wetted, since it is much easier to cut asbestos cement in its raw form, and if you just cut the pipe, then the process is long and tedious. First mark the line for the cut, then soak the rags in water and place them along the cut for two hours. Wet asbestos cement will become more elastic and cut much easier. Do not push very hard on the pipe, otherwise it may crack.
      • Cutter. You will need a cutter of the type for plastic, only larger and made of better steel. Place the pipe on a flat surface and scratch the pipe under the ruler with a straight line cutter. Then deepen it to a millimeter and deeper. Place a thin strip under the scratch inside the pipe and break the cut along the mowing line. There will not be much dust.

      Other methods

      • An ordinary ax. An ordinary ax is taken, and a pipe is cut with it along the outlined lines. You will have to strike more than one blow at the same place in order to break the pipe initially, then the work will go easier. Of course, it will not come out very smoothly, but quickly and efficiently.
      • Circular. You can cut an asbestos-cement pipe using a circular. Instead of the usual disc, you need to put a disc with carbide teeth on it.
      • Slate nail. If you don’t have any tools, try this simplest method. Mark the cutting line on the pipe, then take a slate nail and punch holes along the entire mowing line with it. The thicker the holes are located, the better. Place a thin, long object, such as a block of wood, under the pipe. Then gently break the pipe along the mowing line with holes.
      How To Cut An Asbestos Pipe

      Similar publications:

      • How to cut plastic pipes
      • How to bend a steel pipe
      • How to connect asbestos-cement pipes. Couplings.
      • Cutting steel pipes. Steel pipe cutter
      • How to connect copper pipes
      • Copper pipes for air conditioners

      About the nail. Can I try drilling? If so, which drill.

      Homemade deflector Volpert. Grigorovich. How to make a deflector yourself and improve traction in the furnace tube.

      How to cut an asbestos cement pipe

      Asbestos-cement pipes are widely used in construction for many reasons, which we have already told you about. One of them is that these pipes are simply connected to each other and easily cut. Here we will tell you about the ways in which you can cut them.

      Probably the easiest way is to cut pipes with an angle grinder with a conventional stone disc or with a diamond wheel. There is probably no point in explaining the essence of the work, but it is worth familiarizing yourself with some of the features. This work should be done together and always wear protective goggles. One person cuts the pipe, and the second person should water the cut with a thin stream of water at this time. Otherwise, harmful dust will be released into the air. The second point that should be taken into account is that without waiting for the dirty water on the floor to dry, you should do the cleaning, otherwise, after the asbestos-cement dust solidifies, it will be extremely difficult to tear it off the floor.

      Asbestos-cement pipes can be cut with ordinary hacksaws for metal, but it is better not to do this when dry. Firstly, the canvases will quickly become dull, and secondly, you will have to spend a lot of time on this work. Wet material is cut much faster and the hacksaw blade does not dull so quickly. To do this, it is not enough just to wet the cutting site, since the material must be soaked through with water. It is necessary to wrap a rag along the mowing line cut around the pipe, pour plenty of water over it and leave for two hours. After that, the pipe will be cut easily and quickly.

      There are special cutters for asbestos-cement pipes. Of course, it makes no sense to buy it for personal needs, but for professionals this tool is needed. It’s easy for them to work. A closed fishing line is drawn across the pipe at the place of sawing and a cutter makes a depression of one to two millimeters along it. After that, you need to put a wooden board under the pipe and just break the pipe. At the same time, its end will be smooth, and there will be practically no dust during operation.

      If the accuracy of the work is not required, then the asbestos-cement pipe can be cut with an ordinary ax. To do this, light blows must be applied to the mowing line of the cut. Of course, the end of the pipe will be uneven.

      It is quite tolerably able to cut these pipes on a simple circular. All that is required is to install a carbide disc.

      The most primitive way to cut asbestos-cement pipes is to use a regular slate nail. To do this, you need to drive in a nail along the mowing line of the pipe cut and immediately remove it. The more holes you make, the easier it will be to break the pipe. Of course, its butt will turn out toothed.

      Chimney made of asbestos cement

      It must be remembered that asbestos-cement pipes should not be excessively heated and in direct contact with a burning flame.

      Often asbestos cement pipes are used as pipelines or channels for traction in stove heating. It is clear that bricks are much better suited for this (except for silicate ones). It is only necessary to remember that in this case, asbestos-cement pipes should not be excessively heated and should not come into direct contact with a burning flame.

      If the pipe is installed as a chimney, for example, on the second floor, then the stove, which is on the first floor, will heat up, and then give up its heat to heat the air around it. Ideally, close such a chimney with a pipe from the outside, for example, galvanized, and attach an umbrella (cap) on top, which is needed to solve two problems: to protect the chimney from moisture ingress into it; due to a certain angle of the hood, a change in the air flow moving under the influence of the wind, which creates an additional draft for the outgoing smoke.

      Also, asbestos-cement pipes are used to drain rainwater from sidewalks and paths near a house.

      Arrangement of ventilation of premises

      To arrange ventilation using asbestos-cement pipes, it should be noted that you need to start from the very bottom of the room (basement).

      In practice, asbestos-cement pipes are used for the following purposes. With their help, they equip the ventilation of the room. They start from the very bottom of the room (basement), where a minimum of a pair of asbestos-cement pipes is required for air circulation. It is necessary to arrange pipes diagonally, it turns out that in a quadrangular basement they will be placed in opposite corners. Due to this arrangement, circulation will be more intense. It must be remembered that one pipe should be in the immediate vicinity of the basement floor, not reaching it by 15-20 centimeters.

      The second pipe should be placed almost at the level of the basement ceiling, and if it protrudes, then only 5-7 cm above it. To avoid obstructing the air flow, there should be no objects near the pipes.

      The opposite ends of the pipes should go out as high as possible, preferably above the roof of the building. Then there will be sufficient air draft to extract humid air from the basement.

      Note that in order to avoid moisture accumulation on the floor, it does not need to be cemented. Since water enters the basement through the ground, it must also come out through it. Otherwise, you will need to install a water pump to pump out moisture in the basement.

      And in the event that your basement is located below the groundwater level, then no asbestos cement will help. Then it is necessary to equip the so-called caisson. a closed volume completely isolated from the ground, which does not allow water penetration.

      Example of arrangement of ventilation of premises.

      From time to time, injection (exhaust) air fans are installed in asbestos cement, which enhance ventilation of air streams. over, it is not necessary to use powerful electric fans, sometimes self-cooling options are quite enough, with a capacity of no more than several tens of watts.

      Often, asbestos-cement pipes are used for the installation of ventilation holes in the basement of the foundation. If you have already prepared the formwork for pouring, for example, a strip foundation, then fix the pipe with a length equal to the width of the foundation on the formwork. This way you get perfectly straight holes.

      At the same time, remember that asbestos-cement pipes must be at a sufficient height from the surface of the earth so that moisture does not enter them, in particular, from melted snow.

      Despite any height of the pipeline, small rodents can use them to penetrate under the floor of the room, so use nets or ventilation grills.

      It will be useful to recall that with the onset of late autumn and until spring, in order to avoid cold air entering the premises, the openings of the pipes must be closed with a heater. Just do not forget to open these holes in summer, otherwise condensation will begin to accumulate under the floor, which can lead to the formation of mold, fungi.

      The use of asbestos-cement pipes in construction. How to choose the right asbestos-cement pipe?

      In the building materials market, the most popular among buyers are asbestos-cement pipes with an outer diameter of 100 or 150 millimeters. Their length is claimed to be 4 meters, but in fact it is 2-4 cm less. But recently, most building materials are declared not according to GOST, but according to technical conditions (TU), which prescribe a significant spread of characteristics in one direction or another. For example, according to the specifications, the size of the product (in our case, an asbestos-cement pipe) is declared in the amount of 4 m with a possible maximum deviation up or down by 4 centimeters.

      In order for the asbestos-cement pipe to last a long time, pay attention to its appearance. She should not have visible external deformations.

      When choosing an asbestos-cement pipe, pay attention to its appearance. It should not have visible external deformations, chips and cracks, delamination. Do not hesitate (or do not be lazy) to independently measure its main parameters, if these values ​​can somehow affect the accuracy when installing pipes or during their direct operation.

      There are such defects, although not often, when, when looking at an asbestos-cement pipe from the end, it is noticeable that its hole is not round, but elliptical. It happens that the pipe has a bend along its entire length. These are all defects that arose during factory production, they practically do not affect the strength of the product, and, at your discretion, you can put up with them. For example, you are planning to lay a telephone or electric cable along your cottage (summer cottage, etc.) plot. So what if the pipe is not quite round or has a slight bend in length? It doesn’t really matter. But in the event that an asbestos-cement pipe is used by you as a fence post, then visually it should be even.

      It is very rare, but you can find painted asbestos-cement pipes on sale. It is good if the painting is done at the factory so that the pigment penetrates to a certain depth. If you decide to paint the pipe yourself, get ready for the fact that in a couple of years your paint will peel off in places, especially if your pipe is in direct contact with precipitation.

      Features of the production of asbestos-cement pipes

      In the production of asbestos-cement pipes, the main components are:

      • Asbestos;
      • Cement;
      • Water.

      Diameters of asbestos-cement pipes.

      If everything is more or less clear with cement (as a rule, Portland cement grade 500 and above is used), then a fine-fiber mineral is used as asbestos, which belongs to the silicate class and has the ability to split into very flexible and thin fibers.

      The main advantages of asbestos are its high tensile strength, elasticity, spinning ability, resistance to aggressive media (alkali and acids), fire resistance, frost resistance.

      Today, dozens of large asbestos deposits function in the world, where it is mined industrially. The most famous deposit in our country is located in the city of the same name Asbest, in the Urals.

      Asbestos-cement pipes are produced at asbestos-cement plants, where the production of asbestos-cement couplings. shells, which connect asbestos-cement pipes, is also established using special equipment. The diameter of the produced asbestos-cement pipes varies from 100 mm to 1 m.

      In addition to the properties and advantages that asbestos gives them, these pipes are moisture and frost resistant. But there is a limit to everything. Sometimes it was possible to see asbestos-cement pipes that lay on the surface of the earth for thirty to forty years, being exposed to atmospheric precipitation. Such pipes begin to collapse and delaminate.

      Features of installation work with asbestos-cement pipes

      Today, asbestos-cement pipes are very widely used in residential and industrial construction.

      Asbestos-cement pipes have low thermal conductivity and high corrosion resistance, due to which they can be used in heating systems.

      How to cut asbestos-cement pipes with your own hands without a power tool and with its help

      In the past 50 years, asbestos-cement pipes have been very popular in various works. This is due to the fact that such products are easy enough to mount, they are resistant to aggressive environments and last longer than metal counterparts. However, the problem of sawing pipes made of asbestos cement often arises. How to do it right?

      Asbestos cement pipe cutting angle grinder

      The most common way is to cut asbestos-cement pipes with an angle grinder (it is also an angle grinder, an angle grinder; something like BOSCH GWS 850 CE Professional or MAKITA GA5030K).

      In this case, there are 2 types of work, depending on the equipment used:

      • Angle grinder with stone disc. It will take two people to cut this way. One of them should cut the pipe with an angle grinder, and the second should use a very thin stream of water to the cutting site. At the same time, dust from cutting will not scatter around the room, but flow down in the form of dirt.
      • Angle grinder with diamond disc. Here you will need a respirator, construction goggles, and other protective equipment. To reduce the amount of dust that falls on a person when cutting, you need to perform this process in an open space on the leeward side so that all the dust flies to the side. If you cut the pipe in winter, then it can be laid directly on the snow so that the particles of material remain below.

      And if not, alternative technologies

      If you don’t have an angle grinder, you can use a cutter or hacksaw. Consider these technologies for cutting asbestos cement pipes.

      • Hacksaw. It is quite possible to cut the pipe with an ordinary hacksaw, but it will take quite a lot of effort and time. Initially, the pipe should be wetted, since asbestos cement is cut much easier in the wet state, and if the pipe is sawn dry, the process will become extremely tedious and ineffective. Then it is necessary to outline the line of the cut, moisten the rags in water and lay them for several hours along the intended place of the cut. Wet asbestos cement will be much more elastic and easily cut. Do not put too much pressure on the pipe when cutting, so that it does not split.
      • Cutter. To do this, you need a cutter similar to a plastic cutter, but large and made of high quality metal. Place the pipe on a flat surface and use a straight edge to scratch the cutter in a straight line. Then deepen it a millimeter and further. Under the scratch, you can put a small rail inside the pipe and break it along the cut line. This process does not generate much dust.

      The above methods for cutting asbestos cement are the most popular, but if they do not suit you, you can use alternative technologies:

      Classic ax. You need to take an ordinary ax and cut the pipe with it along the intended lines. It should be understood that many blows must be applied to the same place in order to initially break through the pipes, and then the process will go much faster. Of course, it will not work to cut the pipe exactly, but it will work out efficiently and quickly.

      Circular. You can cut a pipe made of asbestos cement using a circular. Instead of the usual disc, you need to install a disc with carbide teeth on it.

      Slate nail. If you do not have all the listed tools at hand, you can use the most primitive method. First, a cut line is outlined on the pipe, then a slate nail is taken, with which the line is pierced along the entire circumference. The more often the holes are located, the better. It is best to place a thin, oblong object under the pipe, such as a block of wood. At the end, you need to gently break the pipe along the mowing line with holes. The cut line will not be perfectly flat, in any case, it all depends on the number of holes made and the accuracy of the break.