Removing asbestos is often cost prohibitive for most people.
Exterior siding asbestos.
These shingles are generally 12 by 24 inches and the bottom tends to have a wave like pattern though that is not always the case.
The earlier years are when asbestos was extremely common since it was an inexpensive way to increase the durability and resistance of siding.
If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm.
Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but.
Testing your siding for asbestos.
Fiberlock is the gold standard when it comes to covering up asbestos siding and preventing any potentially harmful exposure to chemicals.
If necessary carefully lift siding pieces with pry tool to expose nail heads.
Let the siding dry then prime and paint with the best exterior latex you can find.
Installing vinyl siding will require disturbing the asbestos by nailing into it.
The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar.
Lead paint wasn t outlawed until 1978 so it s sure to be present on siding going back to the 1950s.
Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely.
Because fiber cement siding manufactured in north america after around 1978 was made without using asbestos in those later products and because those non asbestos fiber cement shingles included products that by eye were an exact visual match for their older asbestos containing brothers and sisters already installed a building built.
This product has been certified and tested by both the epa and underwriter s laboratories as a barrier solution for asbestos siding making it one of the most trusted names in the business.
Breakage releases asbestos fibers.
While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding.
If siding should begin to crack or crumble immediately wet the cracked or broken areas with the pint size spray bottle or garden pump sprayer.
Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne.
Up until around 1985 fire resistant walls were produced with asbestos plaster.
Lower removed siding to the ground.
Most siding companies are well experienced at techniques for covering over existing asbestos cement siding with new vinyl aluminum or fiber cement siding.
Alternatively if you leave the asbestos on your home you can safely seal the old siding underneath the new siding and because asbestos is an excellent insulator you will actually be adding to the energy efficiency of your home by leaving it on.
Wet the back of each piece of siding as it is removed.
Both the epa and the vinyl siding institute recommend not disturbing asbestos if at all possible.
