What are remedies for ASBESTOS SIDING?

[Doug in NC]

I have seen asbestos siding painted over, I'm sure you can probably also cover with another type of siding, and I know removal is an option- but is supposed to be done by specialists. If an investor were to rehab a house with asbestos siding, what is the cheapest accepted option to remedy an asbestos siding issue?

 

[Don Clark]

I have seen asbestos siding painted over, I'm sure you can probably also cover with another type of siding, and I know removal is an option- but is supposed to be done by specialists. If an investor were to rehab a house with asbestos siding, what is the cheapest accepted option to remedy an asbestos siding issue?

Doug,

Like any other ACM (Asbestos containing material), asbestos siding should only be removed by a company trained to do so. If it is not removed properly it could cause the material to become "Friable", a condition that allows the asbestos fibers to be released into the air. The cheapest way would be the right way. Otherwise fines, and other penalties can be extensive. There are many companies that do this sort of thing. Last time I checked, several years ago, it ranged from about $5,000 to $15,000 for a less than 2,000 square foot house.

 

[Offshore]

I’ve seen them covered in vinyl which is probably the least expensive method and it avoids the removal risk. Even so, care must be taken when hammering or drilling into the material. If you remove it, you run the risk of releasing and breathing the embedded hazardous fibers whether the asbestos is sanded, scraped or pulled. One small break is all it takes. You may want to post your question on this site, I’ve gotten good advice on similar projects. http://www.thecreativeinvestor.com/commercial/Forum-index.html

 

[Ted Martin]

Have it test first, not all cement type shingles contain asbestos. You may or may not have a problem.

 

[Ray Miller]

Have a screening or a phase I done first, cost may be only a few hundred dollars depending. Then stand by with a large check book to have the problems remeidated (did I spell that right). I would think you would want to go with removel.

 

[Smokey Bear]

EPA fines for improper asbestos removal that result in air release of friable asbestos: Work stoppage and $10k per day of illegal release. It's cheaper to hire a company that's trained with this. Check out the EPA's "Purple Book" for info on removing asbestos.

Cheapest option: cover it well with something else. Asbestos isn't a problem unless it starts crumbling.

 

[Wayne Tomlinson]

First, like mold and some other environmental issues, unless you are an expert, don't call it asbestos siding.
Under fed regulations even if is called asbestos like siding, it must be treated as if it really is asbestos until it can be proven otherwise.

I ran into just situation several years ago where on a commercial property they had some buildings which were actually asbestos appearing (and I think still that the roof, and the siding of the entire buildings were consructed of this stuff which was about 3/8 inch thick. I checked with Ill EPA, I was sent a booklet, and the above is what was in the book. I described its appearance and went on with my report. This was for a re-fi loan, the owners were the loan applicants.

Now about 15 years later they are still in use, unchanged.

As far as residential, as has been posted above, not all asbestos appearing materials are, in fact asbestos.

It has been often on recent years that the material can be "contained" and not removed. I have seen good looking vinyl siding jobs do the job.

Wayne Tomlinson

 

[PropertyEconomics]

My last dealing with asbestos led the inspector to conclude that damage or removal of the asbestos resulted in a higher level of contamination than did leaving the material in place and covering it.
I would strongly suggest an inspection by an environmental firm capable of making recommendations as to the appropriate course of action to be taken regarding your subject.
My value would be based upon adhearance to this recommendation.

 

[Mark K]

Check the regs with your state.

In this state, the owner of a SFR can put on a respirator, take a hammer and bust it off, put the pieces of siding in garbage bags and set it on the curb for trash pickup. I've seen several owners in this area take this route. This is per the Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management regs.

However, a licensed contractor has to go the moon-suit, haz-mat landfill route.

Or you can go the other options of covering; siding, painting, etc.

Its hard to guess the most economical route until you know the rules.

 

[Walter Kirk]

If asbestos siding is left alone it won't cause any problems. I have seen it painted, covered with aluminum, vinal and wood siding as well as stucco.

A couple of years ago the owner of the twin house connected to mine removed the asbsetos siding and replaced it with vinyl. There was a fire and the vinyl siding melted and the rear of his house was destroyed. My house
suffered minimal damage. While my neighbor had to rebuild the rear of his house I cleaned the smoke from my house with a garden hose, I love asbestos siding.