Buying House Asbestos Siding

Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken.

Buying house asbestos siding. No need to worry. The asbestos in the cement siding is not at all comparable to asbestos insulation which is generally pretty crumbly and loose stuff friable as they say. If you are not planning a renovation your risks of exposure are generally low though there are a few exceptions. With the cement siding the asbestos fibers are locked in and are not going anywhere plus the coat of paint over it is further protection.

We were fully prepared to buy the house before we learned about the siding. If you are buying a house older than 1980 you can assume it probably contains at least some asbestos. In general though homes with asbestos siding are viewed by most buyers and sellers as having a problem much like a home with foundation issues. Having asbestos in a house isn t dangerous or illegal but if it is damaged or begins to crumble it can post a health risk to those living in the home as well as anyone that visits.

In spaniak s experience the minor presence of asbestos hasn t scared buyers off. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc. We could also have the siding removed which would cost about 5 000 plus the cost of re siding the house.

In this case a licensed professional will need to remove the asbestos and it can become quite costly ranging from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the size of. If in good condition flooring siding or roofing materials with asbestos can last several lifetimes. Knowing the facts about buying and selling a home with asbestos will allow you to make an educated decision on whether the decision is right for you. Unless the asbestos in your home is damaged it doesn t pose any threat to inhabitants.

The general take on asbestos siding is that it s dangerous and expensive to remove so that often translates into a perceived lower value for a home that has asbestos cement siding in the eyes of many home buyers and sellers.