Coping with Asbestos Siding: Take away or Cowl Over? (2024)

Householders as soon as favored asbestos siding for its sturdiness and fire-resistant properties. Nonetheless, as the general public realized the well being dangers related to asbestos, many owners puzzled learn how to handle this probably hazardous materials.

Coping with asbestos siding requires cautious consideration, whether or not you’re considering of renovating, updating your house’s exterior, or just need to take away a hazard out of your property. On this article, I’ll stroll by the 2 commonest choices – eradicating asbestos siding or protecting it up – so you may have the knowledge wanted to make an knowledgeable choice to your own residence. 

Understanding Asbestos Siding

Asbestos siding is a composite materials fabricated from asbestos fibers blended with Portland cement. This mixture creates a sturdy, fire-resistant siding that was extensively utilized in dwelling development from the Nineteen Twenties by the Seventies. Nonetheless, the fabric’s brittleness can result in issues when disturbed.

Well being Dangers Related to Asbestos

When asbestos siding is undamaged, it poses minimal well being dangers. The hazard comes when renovations, storms, or different actions injury or disturb the siding. When asbestos siding breaks, it releases fibers into the air, which, when inhaled, results in critical well being points akin to long-term lung issues and most cancers. Householders who should not conscious of the well being dangers asbestos poses earlier than deciding learn how to proceed with their siding may put themselves and others in hurt’s method.

Figuring out Asbestos Siding

Figuring out asbestos siding may be difficult with out skilled assist. Some visible cues that point out your siding might have asbestos are:

• Siding put in earlier than 1980
• A definite sample of overlapping shingles
• A grainy, inflexible texture
• Siding that simply cracks or breaks when bent

To make sure, you could conduct a pattern check by an Environmental Safety Company (EPA) accredited lab. Confirming your siding accommodates asbestos is important earlier than deciding about removing or protecting over.

Eradicating Asbestos Siding

Eradicating asbestos siding is essentially the most thorough resolution, though it’s dearer and probably extra hazardous if executed incorrectly. This selection eliminates the asbestos from the property, permitting for a contemporary begin with new siding supplies and a safer setting general.

Skilled Asbestos Removing

Hiring an expert is the most secure and most dependable possibility for asbestos removing. Licensed contractors have the coaching and tools to deal with asbestos siding safely. They’ll arrange containment zones, use specialised instruments to restrict fiber launch, observe strict security tips, and correctly get rid of the asbestos materials after they end. After eradicating the asbestos, they supply documentation confirming completion and compliance. This method offers you peace of thoughts and ensures compliance with native laws, making it a sensible and accountable alternative.

DIY Asbestos Removing

Some areas enable owners to take away asbestos siding themselves. It is best to solely take into account this after conducting thorough analysis and preparation. The dangers related to DIY asbestos removing are vital, and errors result in critical well being hazards. If choosing DIY removing, observe these important steps:

1. Test native laws and procure crucial permits.
2. Place 6-mil plastic sheeting on the bottom round the home to catch any particles.
3. Put on a correctly fitted respirator that’s accredited for asbestos (HEPA filter, coloured coded purple).
4. Put on disposable coveralls with a hood, rubber gloves, goggles, and rubber boots.
5. Publish warning indicators and maintain different folks away from the world whereas working.
6. Preserve all home windows and doorways to the home closed throughout removing.
7. Moist the asbestos siding and take away particles with water earlier than and through removing.
8. Take away the siding fastidiously, ranging from the highest, and keep away from breaking the fabric.
9. Don’t throw or drop eliminated asbestos siding.
10. Wrap asbestos siding in 6-mil thick plastic sheeting, safe the plastic with duct tape, or place the particles in heavy-duty plastic luggage.
11. Get rid of asbestos supplies at an accredited facility to adjust to authorized and security laws.

Improper dealing with of asbestos poses a well being hazard. When doubtful, it’s safer to rent an expert. The potential influence of asbestos dealing with in your well being far outweighs the monetary financial savings of DIY removing.

Masking Over Asbestos Siding

Masking over asbestos siding is a lovely – and probably safer – possibility as a result of it’s inexpensive and minimizes disturbance of the asbestos materials.

Advantages of Masking Asbestos Siding

Masking asbestos siding gives a number of advantages.

It reduces the chance of asbestos fibers being launched into the air, making it a safer possibility than leaving it uncovered, and it’s additionally extra inexpensive than full removing. When protecting asbestos siding, you too can often make the most of the chance to improve your house’s insulation, rising vitality effectivity whereas additionally mitigating a well being threat.

Masking the siding lets you refresh your house’s exterior look, offering an replace with out the effort of hiring a group of contractors.

Strategies for Masking Asbestos Siding

The tactic you select to cowl asbestos siding will depend on elements like price range, fashion, and the situation of your present siding. Putting in vinyl siding is a well-liked possibility, providing sturdiness, simple upkeep, and an up to date look. One other methodology is making use of foam insulation to maintain the asbestos particles in place so the brand new siding set up doesn’t disturb them and boosts the vitality effectivity of your house. Fiber cement siding is one other alternative, providing a conventional look with added sturdiness and fireplace resistance. Every methodology supplies distinctive advantages, serving to shield your house and enhance its aesthetics.

Issues When Masking Asbestos Siding

Earlier than protecting asbestos siding, there are a couple of important issues.

First, examine your native constructing codes, as some areas have laws about asbestos. Examine your present siding for any injury and make repairs as wanted for stability. Additionally, decide whether or not your house’s construction can assist the added weight of latest siding supplies — seek the advice of a structural engineer for assist.

It’s additionally crucial to handle any moisture points beforehand to keep away from mould and decay, as these can create issues down the road if left unmitigated. I like to recommend you utilize correct set up strategies to keep away from disturbing asbestos, ideally working with contractors skilled in asbestos-related initiatives.

Making ready for Asbestos Siding Work

Correct preparation is crucial for security and success in eradicating or protecting asbestos siding.

Testing for Asbestos

Whether or not you’re eradicating or protecting asbestos siding, making ready appropriately is important for each security and a profitable consequence.

Begin by testing for asbestos to substantiate its presence. This course of includes amassing a pattern of the siding and sending it to an EPA-approved lab. As soon as the outcomes are again, you’ll know whether or not you’re coping with asbestos, serving to you intend your subsequent steps accordingly.

Security Precautions

Whereas working with asbestos at all times comes with dangers, there are some steps you’ll be able to take to cut back the hazards you face when working round your house.

Important precautions embody sporting protecting gear like gloves, goggles, and respirators and organising containment areas to stop asbestos fibers from spreading. Moist strategies assist decrease mud and fiber launch throughout dealing with. Afterward, you could correctly get rid of contaminated supplies in accordance with native laws. The work space and instruments additionally want thorough cleansing to take away any remaining asbestos particles.

Acquiring Needed Permits

Earlier than beginning work on asbestos siding, examine with native authorities for required permits, as many areas have particular laws. Failure to observe these guidelines can result in fines or authorized points.

To navigate this course of easily, seek the advice of with native authorities or an expert to grasp the permits and authorized steps for compliance. Planning with the right documentation avoids potential authorized issues and retains your undertaking on observe.

Price Issues

Eradicating asbestos sometimes prices round $2,214, however costs can fluctuate between $450 and $6,000 primarily based on a number of elements, based on Angi*. The precise removing course of, the quantity of asbestos current, any crucial repairs, and the scale of the world all play a task in figuring out the ultimate value. 

Masking asbestos siding with vinyl on a 2500-square-foot dwelling prices between $4000 and $20,000. Your siding contractor will measure the outside of your house fastidiously to find out the prices of supplies and labor. I like to recommend you get a number of quotes earlier than deciding, as a result of meaning you’ll be capable to assess whether or not an estimate is consistent with the remainder of the market.

Ultimate Ideas About Asbestos Siding

Coping with asbestos siding is a major choice for any house owner. Whereas asbestos is regarding, you may have protected and efficient methods to handle it. It’s potential to take away the siding fully or cowl it over safely, nevertheless it’s greatest to proceed with warning to make sure your house stays a protected area for you and your family members.

Householders ought to fastidiously take into account every possibility, accounting for elements like price range, long-term plans for the property, and native laws. When uncertain, seek the advice of with asbestos professionals to decide on an answer that’s protected and compliant with native legal guidelines. By taking a considerate, knowledgeable method, you’ll be able to efficiently navigate the challenges of asbestos siding.

*Prices on this article are sourced from contractor estimates utilized by Angi.