Siding Over Asbestos Shingles

The use of asbestos siding shingles was a popular one that was used in the us from the early part of the 20th century until the 1970s.

Siding over asbestos shingles.

Choose a paint that is mold and mildew resistant as well as waterproof. These shingles are a fact of life in that area and for houses of the early and mid 20th century. The easiest way to paint the asbestos siding is to use a paint sprayer. The east coast is filled with houses sided in these asbestos cement shingles.

Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but. Unless asbestos siding is disturbed it doesn t pose a significant health hazard and does not need to be removed. Painting the asbestos siding will help prevent this from happening. Lead paint wasn t outlawed until 1978 so it s sure to be present on siding going back to the 1950s.

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. Let the siding dry then prime and paint with the best exterior latex you can find. Asbestos siding though hard can flake over time which will lead to the possibility of you inhaling the asbestos. Half of the contractors he s talked with recommend removing the shingles but the others say to leave them and side over.

The siding was made by combining cement with asbestos which is a naturally occurring mineral that is fibrous in nature and fireproof. This is usually the preferred method of dealing with asbestos building materials. Both the epa and the vinyl siding institute recommend not disturbing asbestos if at all possible. The asbestos in shingles siding and other home products is encapsulated that is surrounded by a coating of something else that keeps it from becoming airborne.

A better strategy may be to cover it over with new siding which effectively seals in the asbestos material. Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely. Most siding companies are well experienced at techniques for covering over existing asbestos cement siding with new vinyl aluminum or fiber cement siding. If you do somehow end up with those shingles remaining on your house we doubt they will affect your sale.

Removing asbestos is often cost prohibitive for most people.