QA

Question: How To Cut Asbestos Siding

If at all possible, asbestos shingles should be cut with a shingle cutter. Sawing siding panels with an abrasive saw will release large quantities of fibers. The shingles can also be scored with a carbide knife and snapped clean. In either case, a respirator with a HEPA filter should be worn.

Can you cut asbestos siding with a tile saw?

Asbestos siding as it is on a house is perfectly safe. Asbestos dust, which is what would be created by sawing it, is the dangerous part. If you absolutely have to cut it, do not use power tools. Use a hand saw with a water stream and wear a good quality dust mask.

Is asbestos siding hard or soft?

It is very hard material. Is there a way to determine whether it’s fiber cement (without asbestos) or asbestos cement shingles? We would like to replace it with wood siding and would like to remove it first regardless.

How do you cut old siding?

For vinyl shake siding, you can cut panels using snips or a circular saw with a blade that can be used for vinyl. Snips work best for long, vertical cuts while circular vinyl siding saws work best for short, vertical cuts.

How do you nail asbestos siding?

How to Nail Into Asbestos Siding Safely? Step 1: Inspect the Asbestos Siding Thoroughly. Well, you might think your asbestos siding is in good shape for nailing. Step 2: Gather the Essential Tools. Step 3: Wet the Siding. Step 4: Start Drilling Holes for the Nails. Step 5: Put in the Nails & Start Nailing.

Can you paint old asbestos siding?

Painting asbestos siding is often a much better alternative than trying to remove it. It’s not difficult at all to paint asbestos siding, as one of its benefits is that paint easily adheres to it and it is very durable and can last for decades without chipping or cracking.

How do I know if my siding is asbestos?

How do I know if my roofing or siding contains asbestos? Look for asbestos markings on the roofing or siding material or the packages in which they came, or call the manufacturer. Another alternative is to hire a Minnesota certified asbestos inspector to sample the material and submit it for laboratory analysis.

When was asbestos siding banned?

Asbestos house siding was used for many decades in the U.S. and Canada. Asbestos house siding was used in many homes until the EPA banned its use in new products in 1989.

Does asbestos siding look like wood?

Asbestos was particularly prevalent in siding that resembles shingles or was made to look like wood grain. If your siding has these characteristics, then asbestos could be present.

What’s the easiest way to cut vinyl siding?

If you need to cut a lot of vinyl strips and you’re making short, vertical cuts, the quickest and cleanest way to work is with a circular saw. If you’re only cutting a few strips of vinyl and making vertical cuts, using a pair of tin snips is simplest.

How do you cut siding on a ledger board?

Start by using plunge cuts across the top and bottom of the horizontal length of the ledger board, followed by the shorter vertical cuts for the ends using a cold chisel. You will then have to use a claw hammer or a pry bar to remove the nails. For your safety, be careful not to saw through nails.

Can I cut asbestos siding with a utility knife?

Answer: You can cut the siding by using either a utility knife or circular saw. Both are pretty easy to work with. If you’ve got an old-style asbestos siding, go for the utility knife or blade paper cutter.

Can you nail through asbestos?

Note: You must not drill, screw or nail into, or interfere with the ACM in anyway that will cause asbestos fibres/dust to be released.

Can you drill a hole in asbestos siding?

That being said, carefully grinding a hole through a few asbestos shingles is not going to be problem if you contain dust within a simple plastic enclosure, or a stream of water. Pretend you’re working in an archaeology museum and you MUST keep dust to an absolute minimum.

Can I power wash asbestos siding?

Do not power wash your siding. This could release cancer-causing particles into the air which could end up in your lungs.

Do you need to prime asbestos siding?

If the asbestos-cement siding is already painted and the paint is in good condition, clean the siding and then use a high-quality acrylic latex paint. Priming may not be necessary if the old paint is in good condition (free from peeling, cracking, flaking, etc.).

How do you encapsulate asbestos siding?

The two most affordable options are: 1) applying new vinyl siding over your asbestos siding to safely encapsulate the asbestos or 2) simply replacing older broken (cracked, chipped, etc.) pieces of asbestos siding with matching panels from GAF and James Hardie.

Can you repair damaged asbestos siding?

It’s very difficult to repair asbestos siding but the good news is that you can often find new replacement siding that matches the look and feel of older siding. This lets you replace old cracked and broken siding pieces while maintaining the same look and feel of your home.

What kind of paint do you use on asbestos siding?

Encapsulant paints are the best option for asbestos-cement siding because they can help prevent deterioration and damage to the surface. They can also improve the siding’s fire resistance. Encapsulant paint also works well on lead-based siding and surfaces.

Can you put stucco over asbestos siding?

If your building has old asbestos siding, cover it with stucco. It’ll give you a smooth finish. Its hazardous effects will be lessened as well.