Safe Way To Put New Siding Over Asbestos Siding

I ve seen house fires where the vinyl siding burned off only to reveal the superior asbestos shingles underneath which saved the house.

Safe way to put new siding over asbestos siding.

But be sure to check your local building codes first to see if it is allowed in your area. Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but brittle. In that case you add some extra insulation on to the walls of your house. Shattered cracked broken pieces of asbestos siding were allowed last time i heard to be thrown out the normal way.

Applying a layer of sheathing or sheets of foam insulation over the asbestos then covering it with vinyl siding is a common practice. Place the top edge of the plastic sheeting at the top of the exterior wall above the siding. Nail it in place using several nails a few inches apart until the top of the plastic is fully attached. If the shingles are to be removed they should be wetted during the process.

Asbestos like lead becomes a threat only when they are cut or sanded into a dust. However removing the asbestos siding first though more expensive is the best alternative in the long run. Some people attempt to solve the problem of deteriorating asbestos siding by installing vinyl siding over top of it. This practice is not recommended for a number of reasons.

If you have tough rules keep the siding and use tarpaper only. You can t drive screws and nails through them without pre drilling. First the siding installation process itself nailing into the existing boards or tiles is enough to disturb the existing material and create a dangerous condition. Was the problem that they put new siding over old or that they put new siding over a rotted wall with no drainage plain in between.

When you nail siding to the house remember to nail the siding loose. Now that you have your backer board up and set firmly in place you can put the siding up safely without worrying about the asbestos falling down behind the siding. The plastic is used to create a barrier to the elements as well as prevents the siding from rubbing against the painted asbestos siding. If the job had been done right the house would have been a total loss.

Let the siding dry then prime and paint with the best exterior latex you can find. Start by hooking the siding on the bottom of the starter strip with the nail holes facing upward.