Asbestos tape on hot air duct joints

[Jerry Jensen]

Good morning inspectors,
Usually when I see asbestos tape on heat joints, I inform my client that asbestos is present but not harmful unless it is removed unprofessionally or damaged. I suggest covering with regular duct tape. Am I saying the wrong things?
I would like to here some opinions on this.

Jerry
Alberta Canada

[ldapkus]

How do you know it is asbestos????

[David A. Andersen]

Just advise of the potential danger and inform the client to take action of deterioration is observed during ownership. Give the option for testing if it is a concern to them.

[dchew]

I would note the tape as possibly being asbestos and say that it can only be confirmed by testing a sample. If the "asbestos" tape is not friable, recommend that they leave it alone.

If you put a layer of regular duct tape over it and remove/reposition it, you'll probably do more damage than if they had left it alone.

In a nutshell, never recommend the type of repair or replacement, just note the situation as you observe it.

[Jerry Jensen]

Thanks for your input Linas, David and Dwight. You guys are absolutely right about about being certain that it is asbestos,even though it looks like it is.
Thanks again
Jerry