LESLIE: Kevin in New Jersey wants to talk paint. What can we do for you today?
KEVIN: I have asbestos shingles and they look not really great and I’d like to paint them but I just don’t know what kind of paint to use; if it needs to be primed; if it needs to powerwashed first or …
TOM: Well, it’s never a bad idea to prime anything before you paint it.
LESLIE: I wouldn’t powerwash it. If you’re powerwashing them would that break up the particles and …
TOM: You know, I think it’s OK to powerwash it to clean it. You’re going to want to make sure – because asbestos tends to get very, very mildewy. So you’re probably going to want to use a house wash and you’re going to probably want to clean it and I think it’s OK to powerwash it to do that. After it dries thoroughly, then it’s a good idea to prime them. And after you prime them you can use a standard house paint.
You know, the nice thing about asbestos shingles is they never rot.
LESLIE: Mm-hmm. And they’re so durable.
TOM: And they’re also – believe it or not, exterior asbestos shingles are actually quite safe; as long as you don’t break them up.
KEVIN: Right.
TOM: Now, they’re really completely neutral when they’re on your house and there’s no asbestos fibers to worry about escaping because that’s a type of asbestos we call cement asbestos where it’s held …
LESLIE: Mm-hmm. It’s bound into the cement.
TOM: … inside the cement. Exactly. And it’s inside of the – the asbestos is inside of the cement so it’s not going to get out. So it’s just a basic paint job. Do a good job on the cleaning. Make sure they’re very dry. Prime them then paint them and you’ll be good to go.
LESLIE: And you know what? Now’s a good time also, when you’re doing just the basic maintenance outside, look around your windows and your doors and if you see any of the caulk has dried out around the framework, peel out the old, put in some new, really take the time to just button up everything and your house will be energy efficient for the upcoming fall and also look really great once you’ve got it all painted up.
KEVIN: Alright. Well I thank you very much.
TOM: You’re very welcome. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.
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