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is it safe to put vinyl siding over asbestos siding

by Adah Prohaska Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Answer: Yes, you surely can. Vinyl siding is a great choice. It’ll definitely keep the house safe for years. Thus, do place vinyl siding over the asbestos one. Well, that’s all we had on a safe way to put new siding over asbestos siding.

Unless asbestos siding is disturbed, it doesn't pose a significant health hazard and does not need to be removed. Both the EPA and the Vinyl Siding Institute recommend not disturbing asbestos if at all possible. Installing vinyl siding will require disturbing the asbestos by nailing into it.

Full Answer

Can You cover asbestos with vinyl siding?

Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. Applying a layer of sheathing or sheets of foam insulation over the asbestos, then covering it with vinyl siding is a common practice; but be sure to check your local building codes first to see if it is allowed in your area.

Can you put aluminum siding over asbestos shingles?

I just sided my buddy's house that had old aluminum siding staple to lathe, over asbestos shingles, which were fasted to 1 x 2's . Sheathing underneath was 1 x planking.

Should asbestos siding be removed or replaced first?

However, removing the asbestos siding first – though more expensive – is the best alternative in the long run. I recommend having a certified asbestos removal contractor take the existing asbestos siding off, though in many areas homeowners are allowed remove asbestos siding themselves if they follow proper precautions.

Can you put vinyl siding over old wood siding?

On existing houses, old vinyl or metal siding must be removed, but vinyl can be installed over old wood siding without removing it.

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Can you cover asbestos siding with new siding?

Removing asbestos is often cost-prohibitive for most people. Alternatively, if you leave the asbestos on your home, you can safely seal the old siding underneath the new siding, and, because asbestos is an excellent insulator, you will actually be adding to the energy efficiency of your home by leaving it on.

How much does it cost to put vinyl siding over asbestos siding?

Asbestos Removal & Vinyl Siding Replacement Costs The cost to remove asbestos siding and then install vinyl ranges between $11,000 and $20,000. Removing costs between $1,000 to $10,000, while the average cost to install vinyl siding is about $10,000, depending on the size of the area.

How do you attach vinyl siding to asbestos siding?

0:264:13What's the correct way to install new siding over asbestos siding?YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDo the nails attaching to the vinyl need to penetrate both the foam board and asbestos. And into theMoreDo the nails attaching to the vinyl need to penetrate both the foam board and asbestos. And into the studs underneath or is the foam board enough to hold the siding.

Can you leave asbestos siding on a house?

No. Just having asbestos siding and roofing on your home does not pose a hazard to your health. Asbestos-containing roofing and siding in good condition are best left alone. Damaged roofing and siding should be carefully repaired.

How do you cover old asbestos siding?

Wrap asbestos siding in 6-mil thick plastic sheeting and secure the plastic with duct tape, or place the debris in heavy duty plastic bags. Dispose of the asbestos properly at a landfill, or contact your local waste collection service to find out if they will pick up asbestos material.

Does asbestos siding affect resale value?

Asbestos cement siding can also negatively impact the resale value of your home because of the way it looks. Unlike wood, which can be sanded down, repainted, and refinished, asbestos siding cannot.

Should you remove old siding before installing vinyl siding?

The short answer is that removing old siding is almost always a better idea. Some homeowners may also worry they need to remove the siding themselves before the siding replacement installation, but with Weather Tight, that's not the case.

How long does asbestos siding last?

How long does asbestos siding last? Due to its highly durable nature, asbestos siding can remain perfectly intact for 50 years or more. Encapsulating asbestos siding in fresh paint can make it last even longer.

How do you cover asbestos?

Sealing (encapsulation) involves treating the material with a sealant that either binds the asbestos fibers together or coats the material so fibers are not released. Pipe, furnace and boiler insulation can sometimes be repaired this way. This should be done only by a professional trained to handle asbestos safely.

Should asbestos siding be replaced?

Asbestos siding never needs to be removed simply because it is asbestos. As long as the siding remains intact, it can stay in place, where it remains harmless. Asbestos is really only an issue when it is disturbed in a manner that frees the asbestos fibers to travel through the air or into soil or water supplies.

What happens if you touch asbestos siding?

Health Risks of Asbestos Siding If asbestos is inert, there's absolutely no danger; you can touch, lick, or hold asbestos house siding with absolutely no risk of contracting mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other lung diseases and cancers linked to exposure to asbestos.

Can you pressure 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.

Why is asbestos used in siding?

Also, the reason asbestos was originally used in exterior siding is because asbestos is an astoundingly good insulator. If you remove the asbestos tiles entirely and replace them with more modern insulation, you might experience a net loss in overall heat retention in the home.

Can you put vinyl over old wood siding?

On existing houses, old vinyl or metal siding must be removed, but vinyl can be installed over old wood siding without removing it.

Can you use asbestos siding on vinyl siding?

Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with Portland cement. Applying a layer of sheathing or sheets of foam insulation over the asbestos, then covering it with vinyl siding is a common practice; but be sure to check your local building codes first to see if it is allowed in your area. Click to see full answer.

Is asbestos siding dangerous?

Asbestos siding can be very dangerous if handled improperly. Asbestos is only dangerous when cut, sawn, or broken into small enough pieces so that asbestos fibers are sent into the air. If asbestos remains intact in siding, insulation, popcorn ceilings, or other materials it poses no risk and is not dangerous.

How much does it cost to paint asbestos siding?

Answer: Well, firstly, the expenses for painting the asbestos siding will be around $700-$1000. Then vapor barrier or plastic sheeting will be almost $1000. Insulation or foam board will cost you $1,500-1,900. Lastly, the expenses for installing new siding will be $4,500-15,000.

Can you paint asbestos siding?

As you know asbestos siding is pretty hard. But it can flake at some point. And this causes health hazards. However, painting can help you avoid asbestos dust. Because it keeps the siding from getting damaged. Plus it helps to contain the dust if the siding breaks. Now, you've to use paint that's waterproof.

Can you use foam board for siding?

A level surface is essential if you're installing new siding over another one. That's why we suggest using a foam board. Therefore, start measuring and cutting the foam board. Now, it's best if you use waterproof foam boards. Furthermore, the board should also be mold and mildew-resistant.

Is asbestos siding dangerous?

However, asbestos siding is known to be pretty dangerous due to its dust . This siding can dry up or get damaged over time. When that happens, you can have breathing problems due to the dust that leaks. Plus, inhaling asbestos dust for a long time can lead to lung disease.

Why is asbestos dangerous?

Asbestos is dangerous because of the tiny fibers that make up the mineral asbestos. Those fibers are light enough to be easily airborne and inhaled. The fibers are mineral, so they never change, which causes the body's defenses to try and combat them. Airborne asbestos is called friable asbestos.

Can you remove asbestos siding?

In dealing with houses with asbestos siding, the local Habitat for Humanity found it best to just remove the asbestos siding and then install rigid foam and vinyl siding. Asbestos containing shingle siding is extremely hard to begin with, age increases that hardness. The nails used to install it were most probably drilled at the factory or onsite.

Is asbestos brittle to nail through?

Asbestos is too brittle to nail through directly. The workers were exposed to occupational asbestos hazards because they did not know the dust created during drilling and cutting was dangerous. energy_rater_la. 8 years ago. what handymac said. nailing through asbestos siding will cause it to.

Why do people side over asbestos?

The main reason why most individuals usually choose to side over asbestos is financial. Removing asbestos is often cost-prohibitive for most people. Alternatively, if you leave the asbestos on your home, you can safely seal the old siding underneath the new siding, and, because asbestos is an excellent insulator, ...

How to measure how much siding you need?

Multiply the length of the clapboard by the number of clapboards on the home and then divide that number by 100, and you will know roughly how much siding you need, measured in squares. So, for example, if one of the clapboards measures 10 inches and there are 20 of those clapboards going up the side of the home, 10 x 20 = 200.

Do you hammer the siding all the way into the house?

When you nail siding to the house, remember to nail the siding "loose.". Do not hammer the nail all the way into the home. The siding has elongated nail holes to allow the siding to expand and contract, and if you nail the siding tight to the house, your siding will buckle.

Can you breathe asbestos in siding?

Vacuum and cleaning supplies. Warning. Working with the kind of asbestos that was used in siding may cause lung cancer if you breathe in any of the fibers. You MUST use protective breathing equipment designed specially for working with asbestos. Depending on the area you live in, it may or may not be legal to side over asbestos.

When did asbestos cement siding start?

Half of the contractors he's talked with recommend removing the shingles, but the others say to leave them and side over. Asbestos-cement shingle siding is common on houses built or re-sided from the 1940s generally through the 1960s. In general, it was a very successful siding material and continues to perform well on many houses.

Why are shingles nonfriable?

Siding shingles are nonfriable because the asbestos fibers are held in place by a cement binder in the shingles. But damaging the shingles can release some of the fibers. So, whether the shingles are to be sided over or removed, the methods used should avoid breaking, cutting or abrading the shingles. Some experts recommend screwing, rather ...

Is asbestos siding a carcinogen?

Although asbestos-cement shingles contain asbestos, a carcinogen, they are considered nonfriable and are not regulated as a hazardous material ...

Can vinyl siding go over asbestos?

Vinyl siding, indeed, can go over asbestos. Melvin Rice of Baltimore asks whether it's better to remove or to side over the asbestos shingle siding on his house when vinyl siding is installed. Half of the contractors he's talked with recommend removing the shingles, but the others say to leave them and side over.

Can you screw over asbestos siding?

Some experts recommend screwing, rather than nailing, when new siding is installed over existing asbestos-cement siding. If the shingles are to be removed, they should be wetted during the process to prevent fibers from becoming airborne, and they must be properly disposed of at a landfill.

What is asbestos siding?

Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with Portland cement. It is very brittle and has a tendency to crack and break when nailed, which can release asbestos fibers into both the air and ground. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer.

How to get rid of asbestos in house?

Place 6-mil plastic sheeting on the ground around the house to catch any debris. Wear a properly fitted respirator that’s approved for asbestos (HEPA filter, colored coded purple). Wear disposable coveralls with hood, rubber gloves, goggles, and rubber boots.

Can you disturb asbestos in vinyl siding?

Both the EPA and the Vinyl Siding Institute recommend not disturbing asbestos if at all possible. Installing vinyl siding will require disturbing the asbestos by nailing into it.

Where to dispose of asbestos?

Dispose of the asbestos properly at a landfill, or contact your local waste collection service to find out if they will pick up asbestos material. Dispose of all clothing and boots used during asbestos removal. Wash and clean all tools used during asbestos removal. Bathe thoroughly after working with asbestos.

Can you put vinyl siding over asbestos?

Applying a layer of sheathing or sheets of foam insulation over the asbestos, then covering it with vinyl siding is a common practice; but be sure to check your local building codes first to see if it is allowed in your area. However, removing the asbestos siding first – though more expensive – is the best alternative in the long run.

Can you remove asbestos siding yourself?

I recommend having a certified asbestos removal contractor take the existing asbestos siding off, though in many areas homeowners are allowed remove asbestos siding themselves if they follow proper precau tions.

Why Is Putting A New Siding Over Asbestos A Good Idea

5 Steps on How to Place New Siding Over Asbestos Siding Safely

  • Yes, we’re aware that we’re only talking about vinyl siding. But you can use another siding too. You’ll have no major problems if you do so. However, you need to follow some steps. And don’t worry! These steps are the same for all the sidings. So, let’s take a look at them quickly!
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FAQs

  • Question: Can I cover asbestos siding? Answer:Yup, you can. Asbestos siding gets damaged with time. And that’s dangerous for you. Therefore, try covering the siding with a new one to keep yourself safe. Question: How much does it cost to put new siding over asbestos siding? Answer: Well, firstly, the expenses for painting the asbestos siding will be around $700 – $1,000. Then va…
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Conclusion

  • Well, that’s all we had on a safe way to put new siding over asbestos siding. Hopefully, you’ve understood all the steps. Which siding did you use over the asbestos one?
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