Cutting Concrete Asbestos Siding

Remove asbestos cement siding.

Cutting concrete asbestos siding. Cutting sanding or breaking asbestos cement tiles poses a distinct health hazard. However the situation changes when a repair removal or modification job calls for the cutting of asbestos impregnated concrete. The intention of these work procedures is to provide a guideline for performing the work in a manner which will protect workers from airborne asbestos fibres. According to the epa exposure to asbestos can lead to lung diseases like lung cancer mesothelioma and asbestosis.

While these are obviously terrible diseases the risk associated with exposure from asbestos cement siding isn t that great unless you re cutting drilling or removing damaged siding. There is no legal requirement to do so nor is there significant real estate benefit. Mark the cut line with a pencil and straightedge. The fibers are only released into the air when the siding material is damaged or cut.

If cement shingles have to be cut use the manufacturer s recommended cutting tool not a power saw that will make a lot of dust. Disturbance of asbestos cement pipe through cutting drilling and other activities may result in elevated levels of airborne asbestos fibres. Line up the nail holes between the old upper layer cement asbestos shingles and the new fiber cement shingles to be secured underneath. Don t cut it just break it up with hammer.

Place a trim board overthe extended open space between the roof and the first course of siding. Once cut open the concrete will release mineral fibers into the air exposing any unprotected workers or bystanders to significant health risks. Asbestos dust which is what would be created by sawing it is the dangerous part. Performs work on asbestos cement ac pipe.

When cutting fiber cement siding with circular saw use a blade that has only four or six teeth. This is because exposure happens when the fibers are inhaled into the lungs. Wet the surface down and use the tin snips to cut and break off small sections at a time. Smooth off jagged edges with a sharp carpenter s rasp to keep asbestos particle sizes as large as possible.

It ll fall the ground in whole pieces no dust. To keep dust to a minimum use a circular saw that s equipped with either a dust collection bag or electric fan that blows dust into a bucket. As a rule the greatest hazards occur in enclosed or indoor spaces. For a slow but virtually dustless way to cut siding use power shears.

Asbestos siding as it is on a house is perfectly safe. Cement asbestos siding tiles do not need to be removed simply because they contain asbestos.