How To Nail Asbestos Siding

Place the top edge of the plastic sheeting at the top of the exterior wall above the siding.

How to nail asbestos siding.

Remove pieces of siding by pulling nails or cutting nail heads so as to minimize breakage. Each piece of siding overlaps the piece below it so when you remove 1 piece it will expose the nails attaching the piece below it to the building. Use a flat pry bar to pull out the nails and remove the pieces of siding carefully as they come loose. Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely.

Start by hooking the siding on the bottom of the starter strip with the nail holes facing upward. Now that you have your backer board up and set firmly in place you can put the siding up safely without worrying about the asbestos falling down behind the siding. I ve searched this diy forum for some tips on drilling asbestos siding but the closest i found was folks discussing cutting holes in asbestos siding. Nail it in place using several nails a few inches apart until the top of the plastic is fully attached.

This would trigger dust and asbestos dust is a problem as i ve mentioned. 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. If siding should begin to crack or crumble immediately wet the cracked or broken areas with the pint size spray bottle or garden pump sprayer. If necessary carefully lift siding pieces with pry tool to expose nail heads.

Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but brittle. Line up the nail holes between the old upper layer cement asbestos shingles and the new fiber cement shingles to be secured underneath. Pry out nails and remove whole pieces of siding. The plastic is used to create a barrier to the elements as well as prevents the siding from rubbing against the painted asbestos siding.

You can t drive screws and nails through them without pre drilling. Breakage releases asbestos fibers.