Under Contract on a property with Asbestos Siding

Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2021 · 133 posts · 60 votes

Hey BP!

So I am currently within due diligence period on a property and my inspector identified that majority of the home's siding is asbestos siding - pretty much everywhere except the front face siding. I don't own any properties with asbestos siding and I have my concerns, so I hired an asbestos professional to go check it out, grab some samples and conduct testing.

Still waiting to hear back from the Asbestos testing but I wanted to know if anyone here has experience, knowledge and or own any properties with asbestos siding? Do you completely avoid properties with this material siding or is it not as big of a concern?

My concern comes from the fact that asbestos is a carcinogen and I've heard terrible things about people inhaling it when its in a disturbed state.

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Maurice Gutierrez

Member since 2025 · 1 post · 1 vote

Whoever you do hire to correct that asbestos ensure you know who you’re working with and ensure payments are made in a timely manner. Liens on property’s in GA are not fun!

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Katie Smith
Member since 2023 · 348 posts · 190 votes
1y
Hi AJ!
Great catch catching the (potential) asbestos siding early on - seriously, that’s something you definitely want to be aware of before closing.

I actually had a client who, unfortunately, didn’t find out about the asbestos until AFTER closing. They ended up having to pay for remediation almost entirely out of pocket. Aside from the extra cost and a few added weeks to complete the work, there weren’t any major issues-but it was a learning experience.

If you do move forward, make sure you’re hiring licensed professionals for the remediation. Ask upfront for a clear timeline and scope of work so you can plan accordingly.

And if you’re planning to be on-site at all, I highly recommend investing in a high-quality respirator. Safety is everything when you’re dealing with hazardous materials like this!
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Maurice Gutierrez
Member since 2025 · 1 post · 1 vote
1y
Whoever you do hire to correct that asbestos ensure you know who you’re working with and ensure payments are made in a timely manner. Liens on property’s in GA are not fun!
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- AJ Satcher
  OP
  Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2021 · 133 posts · 60 votes
  1y
  Quote from @Maurice Gutierrez:
  
  Whoever you do hire to correct that asbestos ensure you know who you’re working with and ensure payments are made in a timely manner. Liens on property’s in GA are not fun!
  We closed in the property and used a specialized abatement company to remove the asbestos in one day. Received a check at closing, paid them in full.
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- AJ Satcher
  OP
  Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2021 · 133 posts · 60 votes
  9mo
  Quote from @Maurice Gutierrez:
  
  Whoever you do hire to correct that asbestos ensure you know who you’re working with and ensure payments are made in a timely manner. Liens on property’s in GA are not fun!
  
  Thanks! We went with Environmental Services of America. They were great and we paid them timely.
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Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
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Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
1y
Quote from @AJ Satcher:

Hey BP!
So I am currently within due diligence period on a property and my inspector identified that majority of the home's siding is asbestos siding - pretty much everywhere except the front face siding. I don't own any properties with asbestos siding and I have my concerns, so I hired an asbestos professional to go check it out, grab some samples and conduct testing.
Still waiting to hear back from the Asbestos testing but I wanted to know if anyone here has experience, knowledge and or own any properties with asbestos siding? Do you completely avoid properties with this material siding or is it not as big of a concern?
My concern comes from the fact that asbestos is a carcinogen and I've heard terrible things about people inhaling it when its in a disturbed state.

I would get it remediated if it is. Some you can remove and in some instances you can install siding over the asbestos siding. I would request a credit or have the seller pay for it if it was not disclosed.
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Ken M.
Investor · Get yourself trained before doing something inadvisable. · Member since 2024 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
1y
Quote from @AJ Satcher:

Hey BP!
So I am currently within due diligence period on a property and my inspector identified that majority of the home's siding is asbestos siding - pretty much everywhere except the front face siding. I don't own any properties with asbestos siding and I have my concerns, so I hired an asbestos professional to go check it out, grab some samples and conduct testing.
Still waiting to hear back from the Asbestos testing but I wanted to know if anyone here has experience, knowledge and or own any properties with asbestos siding? Do you completely avoid properties with this material siding or is it not as big of a concern?
My concern comes from the fact that asbestos is a carcinogen and I've heard terrible things about people inhaling it when its in a disturbed state.

.
Just for future readers: I grew in a house with asbestos siding. It did no harm

Here's why

"The primary health risk associated with asbestos siding arises only when the material is disturbed, such as through sawing, sanding, drilling, demolition, or significant damage from pressure washing or impact.

When intact and undisturbed, the asbestos fibers are bound within the cement matrix and are not easily released into the air, making the siding generally safe to leave in place."
Most asbestos harm came from mining the product for years or installing it for years in a poorly ventilated area like in ships.
It takes decades to harm you as a fiber floating in an enclosed space. You would need to live in the enclosed space with the floating, disturbed fibers. Some "pop corn" ceilings are mined in areas where there is asbestos. When you spray water on "pop corn", you can scrape it off the ceiling. But, you're better off just leaving it alone. Have the windows open and wear a mask if you do plan to scrape, but it is not like smelling fentanyl or cocaine, which actually does harm. Simply buy protective cover at Home Depot and wash your clothes afterwards. That's nothing exotic. Just as children should not eat lead paint (I'm not sure how you bite a wall) they should not ingest asbestos siding or "pop corn" either None, of this information is compliant with any current cities asbestos disposal laws. But then Bear wrestling matches are prohibited, too.

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