Asbestos Siding Removal

Asbestos siding consist of asbestos, a natural fibrous mineral and Portland cement. These two ingredients were pressed together to form the shingles. Asbestos siding was popularly used in those homes that were built in between 1920s and 1970s, due to its several beneficial properties. It is inexpensive, durable, does not require much maintenance, has excellent insulating properties and is an excellent fire retardant. However, its production was stopped in the 1980s when the hazardous effects of asbestos exposure were discovered. If you are living in an old home, then there is a possibility that the siding of your house is made up of asbestos. Prior to asbestos siding removal, you should confirm whether it actually contains asbestos or not. For this, you have to collect a sample of the house siding panel and send it to EPA, the approved laboratory, where qualified inspectors will conduct test to confirm it.

How to Remove Asbestos Siding

Before starting the job, you must equip yourself with some tools and materials. They are: hammer, pry bar, water hose, plastic sheets, cardboard boxes for disposal of debris, duct tape, etc. It is essential for you to cover yourself up with adequate protective gear like hand gloves, disposable coveralls, respirator, safety goggles and boots. Once you are ready, you have to proceed by the following steps:

Preparation Work
Cover up the ground area around the asbestos siding with plastic sheets and secure them with duct tapes. Then the asbestos siding should be wet thoroughly, so that the harmful asbestos fibers are not released into the air. Take the garden hose and spray water all over the siding. You may have to repeat it several times while working, whenever you find that the siding has dried up.

Removal of Siding
To begin with, the nails that are holding the siding panels have to be removed with the help of a hammer. This will enable you to remove them in one piece. Once all the nails are removed, take a pry bar and press it under the edge of the siding so that it is lifted off the underlying wall. Use the same technique to remove each of the siding panels. If you see any part of the panel cracking up, you should wet it so that fibers are not released. Do not cut or saw the siding into pieces. Any breakage of the siding should be avoided, as it will lead to release of powdered asbestos fibers.

Wrap Up the Debris
Place large plastic sheets for lining inside the cardboard boxes. Put the wet siding debris inside the box. Cover them up with the excess plastic. Seal the box properly with duct tape. Insert the box into a large waste disposal bag label it as asbestos disposal bag. Put your clothing materials that you were wearing into one of those boxes. Then the boxes should be disposed off to the designated site for hazardous waste material, ascertained by the local authority or environmental agencies.

Asbestos siding removal is essential if the siding panels are damaged, which tend to release asbestos fibers into the air and pose problems for health. If asbestos is in good condition, then there is no risk from the asbestos and the question of its removal does not arise. There are some areas where local laws make it compulsory to hire professionals for the task of removing asbestos siding. In that case, you have to take the help of the concerned professionals. The estimated cost will be around $20,000 to $30,000.