How To Repair And Paint Asbestos Shingles

Does your abode have asbestos siding?

Anytime anyone mentions the give-and-take asbestos, it tin can exist enough to sound the alarms in your mind. After all, the harmful effects of asbestos are no underground: Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of mesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and other organs.

Many older buildings and homes still contain insulation and structure materials fabricated from asbestos, including piping wrapping, paint, and siding.

Removing asbestos can be an arduous, expensive, and risky task that requires the aid of professionals.

Oftentimes, owners cull not to remove the asbestos and leave it be. Simply what if you take asbestos siding and want to paint your habitation? Is painting asbestos safe?

When information technology comes to painting asbestos-cement siding, it is a doable DIY project for a homeowner ‒ although it does come with safety precautions. Painting asbestos-cement siding can even serve as a amend, safer, and more than price-effective alternative to removing it altogether.

If you're planning to pigment asbestos siding, hither'south everything you lot need to know to get the job done safely and efficiently.

What Is Asbestos?

Before we discuss how to paint asbestos siding, allow's go over some basics.

Asbestos is a group of thin mineral fibers that are resistant to estrus. Asbestos'south high oestrus resistance has long made it an ideal fireproofing and insulation material in homes and buildings.

Asbestos dust remains in the body one time inhaled or ingested, so information technology's dangerous when asbestos fibers become airborne. Because asbestos never leaves the trunk, the thin, sharp fibers can irritate the lungs, breadbasket, heart, and other organ linings. Years of irritation tin eventually lead to malignant mutations.

When Should Y'all Remove Asbestos?

It's always safe to assume whatever older home or building built earlier the 1980s contains asbestos. In the United states, where asbestos is however legal, sellers don't take to disembalm when their property contains asbestos. But because asbestos is such a health hazard and a widespread public business, sellers have more incentive to have their homes tested for asbestos and provide full disclosure on their belongings.

Not sure if your property contains asbestos? Don't panic. Have your home professionally tested for asbestos earlier starting any remodeling or renovating.

While dated, asbestos siding can notwithstanding look mod. Source: CraftsmanBlog

Even if a belongings has asbestos-containing materials, it's not always necessary to remove them. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends non removing the materials if they're in adept status.

Only when these materials disintegrate or go damaged or disturbed does the asbestos dust pose a risk. When in doubt, get a professional person to help you decide whether information technology's worth removing asbestos-containing materials or non.

Can You Paint over Asbestos Siding?

When dealing with any asbestos-containing materials, whether siding, insulation, pipe wrapping, or roof shingles, yous SHOULD exercise rubber and caution no matter what.

While effective as a cloth, asbestos is tricky to clean or paint. Source: SignatureMore

Mostly speaking, painting over asbestos-cement siding isn't nearly equally unsafe as removing it altogether. In fact, if you're concerned near your asbestos-cement siding, painting over it is a safer and more cost-effective pick than professional removal. That's because painting over asbestos-cement siding won't disrupt the asbestos fibers and cause them to become airborne.

However, considering painting often requires grooming of the surface, like sanding, pressure level washing, ripping, or removing croaky or peeling areas, herein lies the potential risk for asbestos exposure.

Asbestos-cement siding is too prone to chipping and peachy, which is something to exist aware of if you plan to paint your domicile. Fortunately, there are safe means to ready and paint asbestos-cement siding, which nosotros'll explore side by side.

Can Y'all Pressure Wash Asbestos Siding?

Someday you pigment the exterior of a abode, it's good to requite the siding a thorough pressure washing beforehand. After all, pressure washing removes stubborn dirt, grime, and soot, making any home expect good as new.

However, pressure level washing asbestos-cement siding on a high setting tin can cause potential fries, cracks, and the subsequent release of airborne particles. It can also crusade moisture intrusion. It tin besides cause moisture intrusion.

Some experts and homeowners believe information technology's condom to pressure launder asbestos siding when using the lowest and softest setting. The gentler the pressure wash setting, the fewer particles volition become airborne.

If yous decide to pressure wash asbestos siding, wear personal protective equipment. Clothing a filter respirator mask as opposed to a standard dust mask. Brand sure the area is properly ventilated.

How to Safely Clean Asbestos Siding without Pressure Washing

Some will argue against pressure level washing asbestos siding altogether. So, what are rubber alternatives to cleaning asbestos-cement siding?

A condom way to go nearly cleaning asbestos painting is to scrape downwards the surface and paw-wipe abroad dirt, grime, and other filth.

If you've decided to handwash your asbestos siding, y'all should scrape and scrub down the siding with a difficult-bristled brush soaked in a balmy abrasive cleaner or sudsy dish detergent and warm water solution.

Pause up the cleaning and scraping into sections and rinse the siding thoroughly soon after the scrub down. Later on completing the entire projection, give your siding one concluding rinsing. Permit the siding to dry out at to the lowest degree ii to three days earlier first the painting procedure.

If you can avoid removing asbestos-cement siding, this is the safest approach. However, if the siding has cracks or is falling apart, err on the side of circumspection. You tin further disrupt the asbestos siding and cause particles to become airborne. Wear a filtration mask and ventilate the surrounding area when removing them yourself, or have a professional complete the job.

Once you've cleaned and prepared the site, it's time to choose a safe pigment that will help seal abroad the asbestos-cement siding.

Best Paint for Asbestos Siding

Encapsulant paints are the best option for asbestos-cement siding because they can assistance prevent deterioration and impairment to the surface. They tin also improve the siding'south burn resistance. Encapsulant pigment too works well on pb-based siding and surfaces.

These paints seal surfaces and provide a protective barrier between the exterior of your home and the surrounding surroundings. With the protective seal, encapsulant paint can prevent cracking, chipping, and subsequently, the release of asbestos particles.

This type of paint works best on a dry and make clean surface. Subsequently sanding downwardly and cleaning the siding, utilize a thick, water-based, 100% acrylic latex primer. This type of primer can further seal abroad cracks, prevent peeling, and create a smoother terminate.

Once yous've applied the primer and allowed information technology to dry, it's time to paint.

You lot can observe encapsulant paints at most warehouses and paint stores, but calling up a local painting contractor for recommendations can be helpful. Most contractors employ encapsulant paint by spraying it or rolling it on with a traditional dorsum brushing technique.

After you've applied the encapsulant paint (at least two coats), let it to dry thoroughly. Utilise a satin latex stop. The finishing glaze will not just protect your domicile from moisture, rain, and snow only also improve the luminosity of the paint job altogether. Allow the siding to dry for at least a week before y'all wash it again.

Practice Prophylactic & Diligence When Painting Asbestos Siding

Painting over asbestos-cement siding may sound dangerous, just in all actuality, information technology is a cheaper alternative and poses significantly less risk than removing asbestos siding birthday.

Yet, information technology'due south essential to approach any asbestos-related project with safety and caution. If you plan to paint over asbestos siding, nosotros encourage you to follow the tips and safety notes discussed in this article. We as well encourage you to speak to asbestos removal professionals and painting contractors for further communication before starting the project.

After you lot've painted over your asbestos siding, we'd love to hear how the feel went! Send us a message and stay tuned for more home comeback tips and tricks with Apparatus Analysts.