Dangers Of Removing Asbestos Siding

Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken.

Dangers of removing asbestos siding.

Cutting asbestos siding is the only danger which is minimized with use of specialized tools that shear rather than cut the shingles. If necessary carefully lift siding pieces with pry tool to expose nail heads. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure. It is very brittle and has a tendency to crack and break when nailed which can release asbestos fibers into both the air and ground.

One common misconception is that asbestos must be removed and that removing it is very expensive and dangerous. 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. Wet the back of each piece of siding as it is removed. Breakage releases asbestos fibers.

The approach of removing the old shingles and replacing them with new siding is an option that many homeowners have pursued though probably not as safely as they should. If asbestos remains intact in siding insulation popcorn ceilings or other materials it poses no risk and is not dangerous. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc. Asbestos is only dangerous when cut sawn or broken into small enough pieces so that asbestos fibers are sent into the air.

Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. It is difficult. Also i recommend against installing new siding over top of the existing asbestos material as the process will damage the latter and cause asbestos fibers to be released. Asbestos siding poses absolutely no health risk of the siding is intact and in place.

Scraping or brushing off old paint from asbestos siding is necessary before repainting but dangerous because it can release small asbestos fibres. Siding that is being removed can become friable meaning it can be damaged by hand pressure at which point you could be exposing yourself to those damaging fibers. Asbestos workers were exposed to large amounts of airborne asbestos and brought the dust into their homes for their families to inhale or ingest in their food. Removing asbestos siding is a tricky issue as it often poses no real health threat if left intact.

Unnecessarily exposing your health to the dangers of improperly removing it is simply not worth the risk.