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Worn Asbestos Shingles

House Doctor | Gary Dymski

September 20, 2001

Q. As a senior citizen with a limited income, I cannot afford to have my asbestos shingles removed or covered with vinyl siding. Can they be sealed or is there another answer? They are very old and dirty.

- Betty Ann La Vine, Merrick

A. Even though asbestos is a hazardous material, it has, over the years, proved to be an excellent substance for residential siding. One advantage of asbestos shingles - and the siding that has replaced them, fiber cement siding - is that they can take exterior paints extremely well. However, as with any paint job, the surface must be properly prepared. You mention that your siding is old and dirty, so it likely will need to be washed, scraped, sanded and primed. This preparatory work is the most expensive part of a paint job. By state law, homeowners can do this prep work on asbestos shingles themselves. They should wear dust masks and eye goggles with any such work, but especially with asbestos shingles. Homeowners choosing to have the work done for them must hire a paint contractor certified to work on asbestos shingles. Certified contractors will have state-issued picture identification.

As for choosing a contractor, you, too, might consider going through the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.