Should You Remove Asbestos Shingles on a Wood House Yourself?

It's common for homes built or remodeled up to the 1960s to have asbestos shingles as siding. The shingles are usually large, about 20 inches by 10 inches. They are usually a cover-up for older wood clapboard siding. They are a mixture of cement and asbestos, largely cement, so they sound like ceramic tiles when they are tapped.

Should you remove asbestos shingles from your house? Can you safely leave asbestos shingles in places? If so, what are the safety concerns?

Asbestos-Cement Shingles Can Remain

As long as the structure is intact and is not being demolished, the asbestos shingles are safe to leave in place. Intact asbestos poses no threat. The same holds true for asbestos-cement shingles. It's important to check with your local public health agency, but it's unlikely that you will be required to remove the shingles as long as they are intact, uncracked, and not chalky.

Asbestos Shingle Disposal

Do not dispose of asbestos shingles in your regular landfill. In most areas, asbestos is considered hazardous waste and needs proper disposal.

Most dumpster companies do not allow asbestos in regular dumpsters, either. Hauling companies caught improperly disposing of asbestos face steep fines. Not only that but the liability may reach back to you.

Hiring a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to remove the asbestos shingles ensures that the shingles will also be properly disposed of.

Selling a House With Asbestos Shingles

Asbestos-cement shingles may be viewed as a liability by buyers, especially if they plan to remodel the home and make major changes to the house's footprint.

In some areas, asbestos shingles are so prevalent for houses built or remodeled in the early- and mid-20th century that they are a fact of life. If the house exterior is in good shape, the shingles may be viewed neutrally—neither good nor bad.

Local law may require you to disclose the asbestos as part of a house sale. Federal law does not require the seller to disclose to a buyer that the home contains asbestos.

Removing Asbestos Shingles

Asbestos-cement shingles can be removed safely on a do-it-yourself basis—without teams of abatement professionals.

When you remove those shingles, the shingles sometimes easily pull off when the nails are pulled out. Other times, the asbestos shingles need to be snapped off or cut off. Breaking or cutting the shingles both create hazardous dust.

• Use water mixed with a soapy solution to contain the asbestos when removing it.
• Wear a respirator, not a dust mask.
• Wear gloves and protection for your eyes.
• Lay down a tarp around the siding removal area.
• Close windows and doors around the asbestos shingle removal area.
• Turn off air conditioners around the removal area to prevent asbestos from being sucked into the home.
• Keep shingles intact as much as possible; avoid cutting and breaking.
• Cut off nail heads and dispose of them as you would the asbestos materials
  

Many state agencies publish guidelines to help homeowners safely remove these shingles. Do your due diligence and research before you attempt to do this project on your own so you are fully prepared.

Siding Over Asbestos Shingles

One solution to asbestos shingles is to side over them. The siding encapsulates the asbestos shingles.

Not all siding will go over asbestos shingles. Plus, adding another layer means extending the total thickness of the siding so far out that it reaches door and window casings. Doing so may cancel out the casing's moisture-diverting abilities. Other considerations:

• Will the siding company agree to side over the shingles?
• What will the siders do if they encounter an area that requires them to work with the asbestos shingle?
• What happens if the siding needs to be removed? Because damage to the shingles would be likely, you would need to hire an asbestos abatement company.