How To Safely Cut Asbestos Siding

Have a helper move a running hose to follow the rasp while cutting.

How to safely cut asbestos siding. Cut a 45 degree bevel onto the edge joint of asbestos cement siding with a large carpenter s rasp. Have a helper move a running hose to follow the rasp while cutting. Let the siding dry then prime and paint with the best exterior latex you can find. If you absolutely have to cut it do not use power tools.

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. The newer siding will not cut this way with out breaking. Wet the siding and start your cutting.

Asbestos dust which is what would be created by sawing it is the dangerous part. Remove pieces of siding by pulling nails or cutting nail heads so as to minimize breakage. Asbestos siding as it is on a house is perfectly safe. Cut a 45 degree bevel onto the edge joint of asbestos cement siding with a large carpenter s rasp.

Breakage releases asbestos fibers. Cut asbestos cement corrugated roofing material with a pair of heavy dolphin nosed tin snips. Use slow deliberate strokes with the saw under water trickling from a hose pipe. Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but brittle.

Use slow deliberate strokes to keep dust down. The old style siding could be cut with a knife as the above poster stated make your score and lay on bench with the score on the edge of the bench and pop the shingle to snap it. 4 1 2 diamond blade in a grinder.