- Use vise-grips or end-cutting pliers (illustrated in our FAQs below) or a pair of horse-shoe nail clips or similar tool to carefully pull out the nails from the intact, un-damaged ...
- Slide out the damaged asbestos cement wall shingles
- Inspect the wall sheathing for leak or water or insect damage that may need repair
- Install a house-wrap or roofing felt over any exposed wall sheathing, sliding its upper edge under the older materials so that any water that penetrates the wall will be directed ...
- Carefully slide the new fiber cement shingles into place. If cement-shingles have to be cut, use the manufacturer's recommended cutting tool, not a power saw that will make a lot ...
- Line up the nail holes between the old (upper layer) cement asbestos shingles and the new fiber cement shingles to be secured underneath. They wont' line up, right? ...
- Nail the new shingles in place, carefully - don't let your final hammer strokes drive the nail so hard against the fiber cement shingle or asbestos-cement shingle that you break ...
How much does it cost to remove asbestos shingles?
The cost to remove asbestos shingle siding is $200 per hour or $8 per square foot. On the other hand, i t costs between $20 to $120 per square foot to remove roofing shingles. This price has a wide variation because steep roofs cost more to work on than flat roofs.
Can I remove asbestos shingles on a wood house?
These shingles are a fact of life in that area and for houses of the early and mid 20th century. Asbestos-cement shingles can be removed safely —without costly teams of abatement professionals. When you remove those shingles, they will either come off when you pull out the nails, require you to snap them off or require you to cut them.
How long do asbestos shingles for roof last?
You can expect asbestos-cement siding to last 80 years or more. It was used extensively from the 1940s through the ’60s, but not produced after the ban by the EPA on construction products that contain asbestos in 1973. How do you nail asbestos siding? The replacement shingles have predrilled nailing holes across the bottom.
How much does it cost to replace asbestos siding?
The typical expense to fix asbestos house siding is $4,750, with regular expenses somewhere between $680 and $8,900. Some jobs are as low as $300 while the highest possible costs can get to $23,500. Encapsulation, a preferred type of repair work, has an average of $3 to $7 per square foot. Asbestos is an incredibly dangerous product.

Can you repair asbestos shingles?
To repair damaged asbestos siding, start by removing the damaged shingle from your house. To do this, remove the siding nails with a pry bar and hammer. Next, install a replacement shingle, ensuring that it is level with the adjacent shingles.
How do you reattach asbestos shingles?
0:493:51HOW TO Repair Asbestos Siding [how to repair and replace broken ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn once you have the first one hammered in go ahead and check your other nails on the ones above.MoreIn once you have the first one hammered in go ahead and check your other nails on the ones above. And then go ahead and tack in the one on the left. And then again the one on the right pretty.
What can you do with asbestos shingles?
A professional asbestos abatement team can quickly, legally, and safely remove your existing roof or siding and handle the disposal of this material. Then, you can choose to replace your roof with slate, steel, or asphalt shingles, or your siding with vinyl, asbestos-free fiber cement, or steel.
How long do asbestos roof shingles last?
30 to 50 yearsThe average life expectancy for an asbestos shingle roof is anywhere from 30 to 50 years. Typically, these shingles are very brittle and are difficult to work on if you are not familiar with the material. These shingles are not harmful unless they are broken and the asbestos is exposed to the air.
Can you live in a house with asbestos siding?
Is it safe to live in a house that has asbestos siding? Yes, as long as the material isn't disturbed, and the asbestos fibers stay contained within the cement, asbestos siding is safe. Asbestos siding can remain in perfect condition for 50–80 years or more.
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 asbestos roof be replaced?
Asbestos Garage Roofs Pose The Greatest Risk When They Are Damaged. You should consider replacing your Asbestos garage roof when your Asbestos panels have begun to deteriorate or show signs of damage such as splits or cracks.
Are asbestos shingles still used?
Sturdy and fireproof, asbestos shingles soared in popularity beginning in the early 1900s until health risks associated with material became widely publicized, resulting in a nationwide ban of the product in 1989.
How do you tell if your shingles are asbestos?
Asbestos cannot be identified through sight alone, so the only way to be entirely sure is to have a sample of your shingles tested in a lab.
How do you stop asbestos sheets from leaking?
How To Stop Water Leakage from Asbestos Roof?Find the damaged area.Stop the leakage and remove anything covering the crack.Replace the asbestos sheet and replace it with a new one.Apply mortar.Seal with waterproof paint coating.
How do I know if my shingles are 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.
Can you nail into 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.
Maintenance & Repair Tips For Asbestos Cement Wall Siding Shingles
We consider asbestos cement wall shingles a durable and fire-resistant roof and an asset to the building provided that the siding is in good condit...
How to Remove and Replace Broken Asbestos Cement Wall Shingles
What about replacing the siding? Can you side over the existing asbestos cement siding or does it need to be removed? First let's discuss replacing...
How to Remove Damaged Asbestos Cement Or Fiber Cement Siding Shingles
Is there a specific pry or cutting tool to grab and cut the nails On broken shingles you want to replace? - Catfishlynd 9/20/11
Ask A Question Or Search InspectAPedia
Use the "Click to Show or Hide FAQs" link just above to see recently-posted questions, comments, replies, try the search box just below, or if you...
What is asbestos shingles?
Asbestos shingles were a popular building material used as siding and roofing before they became known as health risks. When you replace them, whether it is only a few or your entire home, proceed with extreme care.
How to prevent asbestos exposure?
Cover your face with goggles and an N100 respirator. Fit the respirator over your nose and mouth, and make sure it is tight to the skin. Covering your face will help prevent any asbestos exposure or inhalation while you’re working. Asbestos is a carcinogen and is known to cause mesothelioma in the lungs over time.
How to loosen a nail?
Loosen the nails with a chisel and hammer. Hold the end of the chisel next to the head of the nail. Hit the handle of the chisel gently with your hammer, working around the head of the nail to loosen it from all sides. Over time, you’ll see the head of the nail loosening itself from the shingle.
How to make a skin tight seal on a coverall?
Tuck the rubber gloves into the sleeves of your coveralls to make a skin-tight seal. Coveralls and rubber gloves can be purchased at a hardware store or online. Cover your face with goggles and an N100 respirator. Fit the respirator over your nose and mouth, and make sure it is tight to the skin.
What to wear when you are exposed to asbestos?
Wear rubber gloves and disposable coveralls. Asbestos is carcinogenic and could cause serious illness if you’re exposed to it. Purchase coveralls with a hood that you can easily dispose of once you’re finished with the job.
How to seal a garbage bag?
Seal full garbage bags securely with duct tape. Fold the opening of the bag over so it is sealed shut and then wrap it closed with duct tape. Make sure there are no openings for dust or particles to escape from the bag.
How to clean a tool?
Wash and clean the tools you worked with. Use a mixture of water and dish soap to clean your tools. Scrub them entirely so there’s no residual dust left on them. Once they are dry, you can put them away.
1. Ensure That You Have the Proper Tools and Safety Equipment
Before you can begin replacing your damaged asbestos siding, you need to ensure that you have the right equipment and materials. To successfully remove damaged asbestos shingles and replace them with new shingles, you will need the following:
2. Remove the Damaged Asbestos Shingles
Before removing any damaged asbestos shingles, be sure to put on gloves and a respirator.
3. Clean the Area and Remove any Debris
After removing the damaged shingles, spend a few moments making sure the area is clean. Remove any dust or debris that has accumulated between the shingles and the house wrap. Additionally, remove any nails or staples that may impact the installation of your replacement shingle.
4. Install the Replacement Siding Shingle
Because asbestos siding is no longer used due to the health concerns, fiber cement siding shingles are typically used to replace damaged asbestos shingles.
5. Paint the Replacement Shingles to Match
After replacing the damaged asbestos siding shingles with new fiber cement siding shingles, you will likely need to paint the new shingles to match the rest of your home.
6. Safely Dispose of the Discarded Asbestos Shingles
Because asbestos siding fibers are considered hazardous, you most dispose of them in accordance with the law. Most landfills have a “hazardous waste day” in which you can safely discard asbestos shingles. Typically, you are required to double-bag the asbestos shingles and ensure that there are not rips or tears in the bags.
What is the replacement for asbestos roofing?
The replacements for asbestos cement roofing products are reinforced with a variety of fibers including fiberglass.
When did asbestos roof shingles come out?
Asbestos cement roof shingles were in popular use in the U.S. from the 1920's (est) through the 1960's (est) and were sold in the U.S. into the 1970's and according to some sources even in the 1980's.
What material is used to repair shingles?
Small roof repairs to individual shingles can be made using copper or aluminum flashing material -- it will often weather to a color that looks a lot like the remaining cement asbestos shingles, and this approach minimizes the chances of breaking more shingles during the repair.
What is a typical roof failure pattern?
Typical roof wear or failure patterns are either failure of the shingle fasteners or broken and falling shingles.
What is the catalog number for asbestos?
Rosato, engineering consultant, Newton, MA, Reinhold Publishing, 1959 Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 59-12535 (out of print).
Is asbestos free in roofing?
Contemporary roofing product manufacturers make reinforced fiber-cement roofing shingles and other roofing products which look like, perform similarly to, and need to be installed similarly to the original asbestos-cement shingles - but these new products are free of asbestos.
Can you powerwash asbestos?
As we discuss at POWER WASHING ROOFS we do not recommend power-washing asbestos-cement nor any other roofing.
How to seal asbestos dust from the rest of the house?
They should seal the work area from the rest of the house using plastic sheeting and duct tape, and also turn off the heating and air conditioning system. For some repairs, such as pipe insulation removal, plastic glove bags may be adequate. They must be sealed with tape and properly disposed of when the job is complete.
How to wet asbestos?
Before undertaking minor repairs, be sure to follow all the precautions described earlier for sampling asbestos material. Always wet the asbestos material using a fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent. Commercial products designed to fill holes and seal damaged areas are available. Small areas of material such as pipe insulation can be covered by wrapping a special fabric, such as rewettable glass cloth, around it. These products are available from stores (listed in the telephone directory under Safety Equipment and Clothing") which specialize in asbestos materials and safety items.
What is the condition of the shingles?
THE BEST THING TO DO WITH ASBESTOS MATERIAL IN GOOD CONDITION IS TO LEAVE IT ALONE! Disturbing it may create a health hazard where none existed before. Read this page before you have any asbestos material inspected, removed, or repaired.
What is encapsulation in 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.
Why do people use asbestos siding?
Originally, asbestos siding was used because of the fire resistant properties of asbestos. Because asbestos in a mineral and fibrous, adding asbestos to siding materials also increases strength and durability, while providing some insulation and fireproofing to the structure. Even if asbestos shingles are on your home, ...
Why is asbestos removal so expensive?
This is because removal poses the greatest risk of fiber release. However, removal may be required when remodeling or making major changes to your home that will disturb asbestos material. Also, removal may be called for if asbestos material is damaged extensively and cannot be otherwise repaired. Removal is complex and must be done only by a contractor with special training. Improper removal may actually increase the health risks to you and your family.
What are the two types of corrections for asbestos?
If the asbestos material is in good shape and will not be disturbed, do nothing! If it is a problem, there are two types of corrections: repair and removal .
When were asbestos shingles installed?
Asbestos shingles were so common during the 20th century that almost any shingles installed between 1920 and 1986 probably include asbestos. If you don't know the age of the shingles, inspect them for wear. If they look old, they might have asbestos fibers in them.
Can asbestos be in shingles?
Because of its fire-resistant properties, asbestos was common in many home materials including roofing shingles. However, asbestos fibers can cause serious lung and respiratory problems if inhaled. It is virtually impossible for anyone but a trained professional with a high-powered microscope to tell definitively whether a shingle contains asbestos.
Is cement asbestos neutral?
TOM: Now, they’re really completely neutral when they’re on your house and there’s no asbestos fibers to worry about escaping because that’s a type of asbestos we call cement asbestos where it’s held …
Do asbestos shingles rot?
You know, the nice thing about asbestos shingles is they never rot.
Can you powerwash asbestos?
So you’re probably going to want to use a house wash and you’re going to probably want to clean it and I think it’s OK to powerwash it to do that. After it dries thoroughly, then it’s a good idea to prime them.
Can asbestos be painted inside cement?
TOM: … inside the cement. Exactly. And it’s inside of the – the asbestos is inside of the cement so it’s not going to get out. So it’s just a basic paint job. Do a good job on the cleaning. Make sure they’re very dry. Prime them then paint them and you’ll be good to go.
