Asbestos Siding Removal – How to do it On Your Own

Are you thinking about doing your own asbestos siding removal? If so, you should first understand a few things about asbestos siding removal before undertaking such a potentially dangerous job. Frequently, if asbestos-containing products are in good condition they can simply be left alone or have a sealant sprayed or painted over them to prevent the fibers from escaping into the air. If this is the case, you may not need to do asbestos siding removal at all. However, when asbestos materials become friable, meaning they are flaking or crumbling, it is usually best to have them removed professionally. Removing asbestos products in the home such as “popcorn” ceilings, vinyl flooring, or insulation may require a lot of expensive equipment, protective clothing, and hard work. However, many times an asbestos siding removal project can be comparatively easy, saving you money over hiring an abatement company to do your asbestos siding removal. And it is usually much safer working with contaminated materials outdoors than in enclosed areas.

Asbestos Siding Removal – How to do it Safely

Asbestos siding, also called cement asbestos board, is used for exterior siding or roofing. With just a little care asbestos siding removal can be achieved without breakage. The only thing you want to avoid is breaking it. Breaking the siding can potentially allow toxic fibers to become airborne. For this reason it is important to use breathing respirators with HEPA filters, goggles, gloves, boots, and disposable overalls when working with these hazardous materials.

Before using a pry bar to begin your asbestos siding removal project there are a few preparations that should be carried out. Do not do asbestos siding removal on a windy day. Post warning signs around the work area to alert family members and neighbors to keep away. Place a 6-foot wide strip of heavy plastic around the outside border of your home, under the siding, so that all materials can be cleaned up and discarded properly when finished. Also place another large piece of plastic on the ground near the work area for placing the removed siding until it can later be moved into a container such as a cardboard box for transporting to the waste disposal area. Cardboard boxes must be lined with heavy-duty plastic sheeting to prevent them from becoming wet and falling apart. There should also be enough extra sheeting to fold over on top of the siding inside the box for complete enclosure.

Asbestos Siding Removal – Wet Everything Down First

Everything that is to be removed should be wet down first. This should happen before any asbestos siding removal is actually performed. Keeping asbestos wet during the asbestos siding removal process can prevent the fibers from drying out and becoming airborne. Working in the shade will help keep the materials wet longer. Use a hose with a garden pump attached to spray a mixture of water and dish washing detergent on an area about 10 feet high by 5 feet wide. This will help the water saturate the materials better.

Chances are very good that the siding on your home has been pre-drilled for nails and still contains the original nails that were used when it was first installed. If the nails can be pulled out easily it is often the best approach. You also have the option to cut off the nail heads and then simply pull the asbestos siding off the nails and away from the house. Again, be careful not to break the contaminated materials during the asbestos siding removal job. The siding is hard and will have the asbestos fibers well-embedded so you will be safe if you are careful. However, during asbestos siding removal, if the siding should break, immediately wet down the dry areas.

As each piece of siding is removed the backside should be wet and then placed gently on the large plastic sheet you have previously laid out for this purpose. Do not throw the siding down because it can cause breakage which will release asbestos particles into the air. Once you have a sufficient amount of siding removed place it gently in a plastic lined cardboard box. When the box is filled fold the extra plastic sheeting over the top and duct tape it closed. Each entire box must have a dual layer of 6-mil polyethylene plastic enclosing it. After it is labeled it is ready to transport to the dump.

Each container must have your last name, address, and date of removal clearly marked on it or the dump will not accept it for disposal. You will want to call the dump and make sure you know all of the requirements for being allowed to dispose of your materials before you begin the asbestos siding removal job. It is also important to make arrangements with the waste disposal dump before starting the asbestos siding removal job to prevent them from not allowing you to dispose of your materials.

During the asbestos siding removal process, all materials on the plastic sheeting around the home should occasionally be sprayed and kept wet. At the end of each asbestos siding removal work period be sure to roll up the plastic for containing all materials. Once the asbestos siding removal is completed all plastic sheeting should be placed in the cardboard boxes and disposed of along with the siding. Before disposing the last piece of plastic it is time to clean up. Stand on the remaining piece of plastic sheeting and spray yourself off with water. This includes spraying or wiping down your clothes, goggles, boots, gloves, and respirator. Remove the boots, gloves, and overalls and place them on the plastic. Next, take out the filters from the respirator and place the filters, respirator, and all tools on the plastic sheet. Step off the plastic sheet.

Pick up one tool at a time, wash it off or wipe it down, and place it in a clean location away from the other tools. Wash or wipe down each tool in this manner and then do the same for the goggles, respirator, and boots. Double bag the remaining debris just as before and tightly seal each box with two layers of 6-mil polyethylene plastic. Do not ever vacuum or sweep any materials as this may cause the fibers to become airborne. Use damp rags to clean up any remaining materials.

Once everything has been placed in boxes, double bagged, and sealed properly it is time to take a shower. It is very important that all materials be properly sealed because the waste disposal dumps will not allow you to dump anything that is not sealed and labeled properly. All debris must be sealed in two layers of 6-mil polyethylene plastic. Since some siding pieces may have sharp edges they can easily poke through the plastic. For this reason the siding pieces must be placed into a box with a plastic lining, the box must be completely closed, and two layers of 6-mil polyethylene plastic must completely enclose the box. Before undertaking the job of asbestos siding removal on your own, it is usually a good idea to receive some asbestos removal training. It is possible to do your own asbestos siding removal, but it requires keeping safety in the forefront of your mind at all times.

Asbestos Siding Removal – How to Identify Asbestos

Asbestos Removal Training:
Learning the Basics

Are you interested in obtaining some asbestos removal training before undertaking a potentially dangerous job? Asbestos removal can be a very difficult and dirty job, but does not always require hiring a professional abatement company. However, asbestos removal training is always important if you decide to do asbestos removal on your own. With non-regulated asbestos-containing materials homeowners can legally do the removal themselves, whether they are performing asbestos siding removal, asbestos ceiling tile removal, or other types of asbestos removal. If you choose to do it yourself some asbestos removal training will be needed. The most difficult part of the removal process is making sure that no fibers become airborne. The main method for keeping the potentially toxic particles out of the air is with water. Spraying water on contaminated materials causes the water to stick to the fibers so they can settle harmlessly on the ground. Asbestos removal training will teach you everything you need to know to ensure your safety.

Normally, it is not recommended to remove asbestos unless it is exposed and friable. If the contaminated material is in good condition it can often be encapsulated or sealed to prevent the fibers from dispersing into the air. However, this can often be just as expensive as removal so it usually pays to have it completely removed. If it is in poor condition (friable) and in an area where any disturbance to the material will cause fibers to become airborne and possibly inhaled by individuals, it is important to have it removed. But it is just as important to get some asbestos removal training before doing the job without professional help.

Asbestos Removal Training – Verify the Existence of Asbestos

During asbestos removal training you will learn that the first step in the process is to verify that asbestos actually exists. The safest way to do this is to hire a licensed asbestos inspector. You can usually get a list of licensed inspectors from the agency in your state that regulates asbestos. The inspector will take samples, have them analyzed under a microscope, and let you know if any toxic materials exist. The inspector will also be able to tell you if any asbestos is in the air before the work is done, during the work, and then again after the job is completed.

Any work area must be completely shut off from the remainder of the home. You can learn the exact method for doing this through asbestos removal training. Wetting down the asbestos-containing materials will keep most fibers out of the air, but if any particles do escape it is important that they remain contained in the work area. This will require you to shut off all ventilation systems, close all vents and seal them, and line all windows and doors with sheets of plastic using duct tape on every edge of the plastic. Since asbestos particles can stick to protective work clothes it is important that workers do not enter other parts of the home until they have removed all clothing and placed it in the storage bins being used to contain the toxic materials. Protective garments should be used only once and then discarded. These are just a few of the important things you’ll learn in asbestos removal training.

Asbestos Removal Training – How to Increase Safety

When removing products containing asbestos they should be removed in larger pieces. The smaller the pieces the greater chance of fibers becoming airborne. In many cases the only way to remove the contaminated products is by scraping or stripping. For example, if you are removing a “popcorn” ceiling you should scrape it so that it falls directly into a bag that has been specially made to hold asbestos. Once the bag is full it should be sealed and then handed to another worker. The second worker will seal the bag again and place it into the storage bin where it will later be taken to a designated waste disposal area. Asbestos removal training is important if you expect to dispose of the waste legally and safely.

While scraping, stripping, or removing contaminated materials it is important to keep them wet. The material should be saturated as much as possible so it may be necessary to spray it several times. Some things such as sprayed-on fireproofing material will be easily saturated while other materials such as ceiling tiles and floor tiles will not be easy to wet completely. Adding dish washing detergent to the water will increase its ability to saturate various materials. Using as fine a mist as possible when wetting down materials is usually the best approach. All products should be kept wet from the time they are removed until being sealed and placed into a storage bin. Without proper asbestos removal training you may not be aware of several of these important safety issues.

In some cases it will not be possible to saturate contaminated products with water. If you have received some asbestos removal training you will know what to do in these situations. If the temperature is below freezing or there are electrical wires or outlets in the work area, it may not be safe or possible to use water. It is also best if there are at least two workers. One worker can continually wet the materials while the other can do the removing.

Regulations vary from state to state and also on some county and municipal levels as well, which makes asbestos removal training important. Make sure you receive asbestos removal training before you get started because you, the property owner, are liable for any asbestos released into the air or for anyone exposed on your property, on the drive to the waste disposal area, or at the disposal area itself. If you hire a licensed contractor to do the work you will not have this liability.

Asbestos removal is a very difficult job that requires asbestos removal training, buying or renting protective clothing, breathing respirators for all workers, hoses, pry bars, knives, and additional specialized equipment. By the time you pay for the equipment and clothing you may find yourself spending as much or more than it would cost to hire professionals. Plus, you will be liable for anything that goes wrong. It is possible to do the job yourself, but in most cases it is better to let an experienced abatement company do the job for you. If you take some asbestos removal training courses or read some asbestos removal training instructions you will know whether or not this is the type of job you can handle.

Is an Asbestos Removal Contractor Necessary?

Do you really need an asbestos removal contractor to remove the asbestos materials in your home? If you are planning to remodel your home, or repair or replace possible asbestos-containing products, it is important to first determine if asbestos is actually present. Whether or not you need to hire an asbestos removal contractor depends on this determination along with the condition of any asbestos present.

Hazardous asbestos fibers are microscopic in size and when disturbed can become airborne. Once airborne they can be deeply inhaled into the lungs where they will become permanently lodged. Over time this can cause the development of mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis. Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumor that develops in the mesothelium which is a thin membrane covering the lungs, abdominal cavity, and other internal organs. Asbestosis is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease that results from long-term exposure to asbestos fibers and particles. An asbestos removal contractor is trained to remove or seal these toxic fibers.

During most of the 20th century asbestos was added to thousands of other materials to create products that were resistant to heat, fire, and even sound. It is commonly found in homes, schools, and office buildings as insulation, decorative and acoustic ceiling and wall plaster, ceiling and floor tiles, and many other products.

An Asbestos Removal Contractor Should Inspect Your Home First

Before beginning your home remodeling you should first have an inspector from a professional asbestos removal service inspect your home for possible asbestos products. If a potential culprit is found a sample can be taken by the asbestos removal contractor and analyzed in the lab. If it is verified that asbestos does exist in your home there will be three possible methods of handling the problem. It can be left alone, encapsulated, or removed altogether. Whether you need an asbestos removal contractor mostly depends on the condition of the material. A qualified asbestos removal contractor can give you more information about your options.

Asbestos is most likely to become airborne, and hence more hazardous, when it is exposed and friable. Friable means that the material has been deteriorating and is flaking or crumbling. If friable asbestos is in a room where people are often present, or where air moves through easily, it should be removed. When the material is in poor condition it is usually wise to hire an experienced and professional asbestos removal contractor to do the work.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) you should normally leave asbestos alone unless it is friable. If the asbestos-containing products are still in good condition they can frequently be sealed or encapsulated, either by you or by a professional asbestos removal contractor. The encapsulation process typically involves coating the asbestos with some type of heat-resistant sealant or paint that has been approved by the EPA. This procedure will seal the fibers and prevent them from becoming airborne.

An Asbestos Removal Contractor Can Encapsulate or Remove Toxic Materials

If your remodeling plan requires the complete removal of the hazardous products you can choose to remove the materials instead of encapsulating them. Removing the materials is most often the better plan because sealing is only a temporary fix and can be almost as expensive as removing the offending products. Additionally, encapsulating the materials can make it more difficult and expensive to remove them at a later time and will almost certainly require the help of a professional asbestos removal contractor.

In addition to encapsulating or removing contaminated products it is sometimes alright to leave them alone. For example, if your home contains pipes that have asbestos-containing insulation, you may be able to enclose them in walls or have boxes placed around them. As long as the hazardous fibers are prevented from becoming airborne there will be no immediate danger. And since an asbestos removal contractor will charge as much as $300 or $400 per hour it may save you a lot of money by enclosing certain materials instead of encapsulating or removing them.

Asbestos Removal – Keep Safety in Mind at all Times

The most important concern when it comes to asbestos removal is safety. It trumps everything else when you are attempting an asbestos removal job on your own without the help of professionals. A good way to get versed on safety is by going through some asbestos removal training.

Asbestos Removal Can Be Dangerous

A good way to cause unwanted complications and potentially deadly health consequences is to ignore the standard rules of safety. On the other hand, if you keep safety foremost in your mind it’s possible to remove asbestos products on your own. However, you should be aware that if you are undertaking the job to save money it can sometimes be more expensive to do the job yourself when compared to hiring a professional asbestos removal service. Buying and renting the necessary equipment and protective clothing can be quite expensive.

Before beginning a do-it-yourself removal project you must first verify that asbestos is present. Once you have determined its presence you can then decide, with the help of an experienced asbestos abatement contractor, if you should encapsulate it, remove it completely, or just leave it alone. It the asbestos-containing materials are still in good shape it is usually best to leave it alone. If the materials must be sealed or removed you will either need to hire a professional asbestos removal company or do it yourself.

Asbestos Removal Requires Specific Safety Equipment

If you decide to tackle the job without professional help you will need to buy or rent a few things. A breathing respiratory will protect you from inhaling loose asbestos particles and is the most important piece of equipment. You will also need non-fog goggles, gloves, rubber boots, disposable coveralls, plastic sheeting, asbestos containers for disposal, and many other things. To remain safe during the project you should get some asbestos removal training before any work is done and read all of the regulations, both federal and state, that apply. After the job is done it is important to have the area inspected one final time to make sure no toxic asbestos fibers are still present.

Video: Safely Removing Asbestos from the Home

The following asbestos video shows where asbestos is found in the home, how to identify it, and how to remove it safely. Learn how an asbestos removal service would remove hazardous materials in a safe manner. Watch the following educational video to see how asbestos removal is done.