Buying House Asbestos Siding

2 while asbestos siding is not considered a problem unless the asbestos fibers separate from the cement bonding agent in the siding and become airborne any remodeling of the home that requires removal or disturbing the siding must be done by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor.

Buying house asbestos siding.

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. If in good condition flooring siding or roofing materials with asbestos can last several lifetimes. If you are not planning a renovation your risks of exposure are generally low though there are a few exceptions. If you are buying a house older than 1980 you can assume it probably contains at least some asbestos.

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 could also have the siding removed which would cost about 5 000 plus the cost of re siding the house. 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. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough.

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. Unless the asbestos in your home is damaged it doesn t pose any threat to inhabitants. No need to worry. In spaniak s experience the minor presence of asbestos hasn t scared buyers off.

I don t know if this should be a dealbreaker or not. We were fully prepared to buy the house before we learned about the siding. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc. The siding seems to be in good shape but we would of course have this verified by an inspector.

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.