Cement asbestos siding was a popular building material used from the early 1900's through the 1970's. It was made from a blend of Portland cement and asbestos fibers, and was used throughout the United States to cover the exterior of homes and commercial buildings. Due to the health risks associated with asbestos, this material was discontinued in the 1970's, but is still present on many homes where it was never removed. As asbestos is only dangerous when it is released into the air, this siding is only harmful when cut, drilled, or removed. With proper care, it can be cleaned, painted, and safely maintained.
Instructions
1. Determine whether your siding can be worked with safely. If the siding has a large amount of peeling or chalking, you should hire a professional and not attempt this project on your own. If the material is mostly smooth, and just needs cleaning and a new coat of paint, it is safe to proceed.
2. Wear goggles and rubber gloves to protect your eyes and skin when working with bleach.
3. Mix one quart bleach with two quarts water. Use a long handled brush to clean the entire surface of the walls you will be painting. This will likely require the use of a ladder.
4. Rinse the entire wall surface with water using a garden hose to remove all traces of bleach. Allow the walls to dry completely before proceding to the next step.
5. Using your paint sprayer, apply a latex acrylic paint in smooth even strokes. Allow 24 hours for this coat to dry, then apply a second coat.
Related posts
Do not use sandpaper or a metal putty knife to remove the old paintAsbestos shingles are a cement based type of siding. Although they are no longer used in construction due to health concerns, the...
In 1905, the Johns-Manville company developed asbestos cement by mixing portland cement with asbestos fibers. The result was a brittle but fire resistant material used as a mastic and mortar for c...
Use a stiff bristle broom to apply liquid sander.Oiled wood siding can present an outdated appearance. One way to freshen up the look of your house is by painting your old siding. Getting paint to...
X-90 is a siding product that requires regular maintenance.X-90 siding is a Masonite product no longer manufactured by the company due to a class-action lawsuit filed in the 1990s regarding produc...
Sand the siding to ensure adhesion.Colorlok is an engineered siding manufactured by Masonite. If you're thinking about painting your Colorlok siding, keep in mind that unlike wood, which is porous...
