"Should we test it?"

Yes,there's no other way of knowing for certain and you will always worry.

But before we go to that expense ($75 for the 3 samples sent off to Prolab, there is no local testing option) is that even an application of asbestos tape? Everything I read is that it was a gauze like substance, this is more like a thin paper...

You're right, I meant in the tape that was used on ducts. I haven't read everything by any stretch, though we did have a popcorn ceiling scare (why I know cost of testing!). Okay, if it sounds possible I guess we can bite the testing bullet. Better safe than sorry, right!? thanks

Wrap it up in duct tape and forget about it. I will send address for the $75 :)

It would be interesting to see pictures...

There's an original idea, would it be cheaper to just send pictures to the testing lab?

Lol I'm feeling like this isn't the biggest crisis in the world now. I know, it definitely doesn't look like the pix I have seen of crumbling asbestos tape but what do I know? And what other substance could it be? Hmmm.

Could be lots of different materials...

If your in California, it's going to kill you no matter what it is.

Pictures please?

Asbestos pipe wrap looks a lot like a plaster cast.

As does non-asbestos pipe wrap.

It doesn't look like plaster cast wrap...Looks kind of like? masking tape gone dry and crispy? I'll get some pix this weekend and put one up for y'all.

Okay, as promised, here is a photo of the mysterious tape. It's on the inside of the old school fin style baseboard radiant heat covers.

AHAH! Old-style cloth based adhesive tape. The duct tape of the pre duct-tape world.

I have no clue why they would put it there, except perhaps to hold a heat shield or something. I've found that stuff being used instead of electrical tape, weather stripping, glass patching, drywall patching (multiple strips, applied in multiple directions and skimmed over with mudding) and caulking.

This may have been applied to keep the cover from rattling on the fins, which would add "soundproofing" to my list of uses.

Ahhh, that makes sense, that IS what it looks like! Weird! And yes, add sound-proofing because I'm pretty sure that's what it was for. Okay, $75 piece of mind averted...

I think lazy_gardens is probably right. While one can never rule out asbestos without testing, that didn't look like most of the pictures you see when you Google "asbestos tape." In addition, it actually doesn't appear to have deteriorated much over the decades. I agree that it's time to move on....