How To Remove Asbestos Siding

So you plan to remove asbestos siding from your home yourself. Are you nuts? Asbestos is nasty stuff. What is asbestos anyway? Asbestos is a bundle of naturally occurring fibrous minerals found in metamorphic rocks and soils. Asbestos fibers are long and thin, and easily separated from one another. As long as the asbestos remains undisturbed, there is no way for the fibers to be released into the air and inhaled. But once asbestos fibers are released, they become problematic: Exposure causes lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers. Before you go any further with this project, here are a few things you should know:

The Definitive Guide. Washington State's Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has an excellent step by step guide on how to remove asbestos siding yourself. Please click through to this 16-page guide on how to remove asbestos siding properly; it is the best how-to guide available online.
Asbestos Exposure. Asbestos is resistant to heat and chemicals, and electricity, which is why it has been used as an insulating material in shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, insulation, cement pipe and many other products (see a sample list of asbestos-containing products here). As long as the asbestos remains undisturbed, it is not problematic. However, all it takes is one small break for asbestos fibers to be released into the air. And once released, persons breathing the air may breathe in the asbestos fibers. The scary part is that health investigators have found asbestos-related diseases in individuals with only brief exposures. There is no known minimum exposure required to create illness-in other words, one microscopic fiber can have devastating consequences.
Asbestos Abatement Contractors. As a homeowner, you can remove asbestos siding from your home yourself but in some states it is illegal to hire anyone other than a state-certified asbestos abatement contractor to perform or assist with asbestos removal. State-certified asbestos abatement contractors have specialized equipment and training in how to remove asbestos siding according to your state's guidelines. They wear respirators, goggles, coveralls, gloves and boots that are disposed of after each project. They use surfactants that keep the asbestos material wet so that if a break should occur, fewer asbestos fibers will escape. The area they work in is covered in plastic, and workers can not leave the area without discarding their protective garments. Each of these techniques is governed by specific regulations.
Asbestos Siding Removal by a Homeowner. Although legally a homeowner can remove asbestos siding, keep in mind that the equipment and techniques required make for unpleasant work that is hard to ensure you are doing properly. The protective clothing is hot and cumbersome, and the work can be very humid due to the water that gets sprayed on the shingles. Using a respirator and protective eyewear is not for the timid-the respirator puts additional stress on the heart and lungs and the protective eyewear reduces visibility. The use of water can cause damage to your home, and create potentially hazardous conditions around wiring and electrical power. Finally, you must be sure to comply with permitting regulations described below.
Asbestos Permits. Permit requirements for a homeowner to remove asbestos siding vary widely from state to state. When you conduct any asbestos project, you must apply for and receive all the necessary permits and obey all the regulatory requirements. A good place to start researching your state's requirements is at your local zoning/building agency and health department. Please keep in mind that if you live in a state that does not closely regulate asbestos removal by homeowners, it is still in your best interest to remove it properly.

After reading this article, you may feel annoyed. Here you were all geared up to remove your asbestos siding yourself, and here I am, telling you to reconsider: I personally recommend that you hire a certified professional to do this work. However, if you are set on removing asbestos siding yourself, please print out How To Properly Remove Asbestos-Board Siding, and follow its recommendations.