Asbestos Siding - To buy or not to buy

[Michael P.]

Hey Guys,

So Pennsylvania is full of old houses so coming across lead paint and asbestos is not surprising. I just don't know how worried I should be about it. I understand that if not deteriorating and left undisturbed asbestos is not harmful. It's when it starts crumbling and falling apart that it becomes a hazard.

Well I'm looking to purchase a duplex that seems to be in nice condition and the siding looks average -- probably pretty old. My concern is let's say I buy it as is and 10 years later it's crumbling or a tree hits the side of the house and now I have this big hazard issue. Replacing all the siding sounds like it'll cost more than half the worth of the house.

My realtor is very knowledgeable and suggests simply covering over it with regular siding since the removal of asbestos is when it becomes a hazard. But simply covering deteriorating asbestos siding seems to me like it's not going to address the hazard. What are your experiences with this? Also they covered one side of the house with fake brick siding, looks ugly. Is that a bad sign?

If it wasn't for that I'd be all about the house. It's really almost a deal breaker in my mind, if it starts to go south it'll cost A LOT.  Or am I overreacting....I definitely want a safe environment for everyone.

[Tom S.]

@Michael P.  That's correct, in general it's not out of code to buy a house with asbestos siding, I actually own one and as long as it's not disturbed, no issues.  Had it for 10 years and never has come up on the insurance company recommendation list (they inspect every few years as it's a rental property).

Most people go right over it with siding, it's a fairly common practice.