How To Dispose Of Asbestos Shingles

Donate: A Second Life

Donating shingles means giving them a second life on another roof. Roofs are an expensive investment and donating shingles can help a low-income family tremendously. Youd be surprised how long of a lifetime shingles have. The average asphalt roof can last 15 to 20 years.

There are non-profit organizations like Habitat for Humanity and additional second-life resale stores that will take donated shingles. You can also create an online post on social media platforms or classified ad websites. You never know who needs your old roof shingles to get by with their own roof, finish a roof or paving project, or use them to complete much needed repairs.

The Complete Roof Shingle Disposal Guide

Repairing and replacing your roof is a big job. Youâll need to plan for removal, choose a new look for the roof and hire professional help for installation, in addition to figuring out what to do with your old shingles. Whether youâre looking for a cost-effective solution for roofing material disposal or wondering what your shingle recycling options are, this guide will help you prepare for your project.

Hang Up Signs For Others Awareness

Be sure to post signs letting others know of the removal process. Also, be sure to place about a six-foot distance of the six-mil plastic sheeting across the home where the removal is taking place. Another key element to making the process easier is to work in the shade so the wet area remains moist. Also, be sure to create some sort of entrance and exit to the work area with the plastic sheeting to ensure maximum safety .

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Is Working With Asbestos Roofing And Siding Hazardous

Asphalt or cement roofing and siding that contain asbestos, when intact and in good condition, are generally considered nonfriable and are not hazardous. “Nonfriable” means they cannot be broken up by hand pressure. Paper-like vapor barriers can present more of a hazard, since they are considered friable. “Friable” means they are easily damaged by hand pressure.

However, heat, water, weathering or aging can weaken “nonfriable” siding and roofing to the point where they are considered friable. Also, the siding and roofing can be made friable when its being removed. Friable materials can release asbestos fibers into the air. Avoid breaking, sanding, cutting, drilling and sawing the materials. These types of activities can release asbestos fibers into the air. Once airborne, asbestos fibers can be inhaled into the lungs, where they have the potential to cause severe lung diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Improper Asbestos Abatement And Disposal

Asbestos abatement projects that are executed improperly face serious fines and penalties, including the possibility of incarceration and probation.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires certain practices for the demolition of asbestos-containing buildings to prevent exposing workers and the public to asbestos. These practices involve creating a thorough plan on how to safely remove the asbestos, using water and other methods to prevent the release of asbestos fibers during and after demolition, and following proper disposal requirements.

Violating any of these regulations may result in substantial fines and penalties. For example:

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How Do You Get Rid Of Asbestos Siding Safely

If your home has tested positive for asbestos, you will want to remove it as soon as possible. So, how exactly do you get rid of asbestos siding safely? In some cases, the best option may actually be to not remove the asbestos siding at all. Instead, installing brand new siding placed on top of the old asbestos could be an option.

However, you do have the choice of removing asbestos in two different ways:

Adding A Third Layer Is Difficult

You likely have a strong desire to remove those current layers and start afresh, and it may be your only option, anyway. Even if you wanted to add on a third layer on top of the asbestos siding and older wood shakes, this may not be possible. At the very least, you would raise the total thickness of your siding so far out that it reaches door and window casings, which is not very attractive. It might even extend beyond the casing, which would cancel out the casing’s moisture-diverting abilities. When deciding what to do with your house’s siding, make sure you have a good and functional idea before you commit to avoiding shingle removal.

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How Do I Know If My Roofing Or Siding Contains Asbestos

Look for asbestos markings on the roofing or siding material or the packages in which they came, or call the manufacturer. Another alternative is to hire a Minnesota certified asbestos inspector to sample the material and submit it for laboratory analysis. You can find companies that perform asbestos sampling on MDH’s Find A Contractor or Consultant web page.

If you decide not to check for asbestos, you should assume the material contains asbestos and treat it accordingly.

How To Properly Dispose Of Old Roof Shingles

Being environmentally conscious these days is no longer a trendits a necessity. More and more homeowners are making sure to check greener boxes as they complete their lists of house projects. Replacing a roof is perhaps one of the biggest projects of all, so what can you do to make sure you dispose of old roof shingles the proper way?

The main concern with roofing waste is not wanting it to end up in a landfill where it sits, taking up space and hurting the environment. Millions of shingles are thrown out every year, especially those made of asphalt, the most popular roofing material. With shingles taking 400 years to break down as they sit in a landfill, there must be a better way to dispose of old roof shingles.

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New York State Department Of Health

Certification and training of individual employees who work in the asbestos abatement industry, and approval of training providers are all included in the New York State Department of Health regulations. Questions regarding certification and training should be directed to the New York State Department of Health, Center for Environmental Health, Bureau of Occupation Health and Injury Prevention, Albany, New York 402-7900.

Visit the NYSDOH website for inquiries concerning health-related issues including public concern about exposure.

Rent A Roll Off Dumpster

The easiest way to dispose of shingles is with a dumpster rental. We offer a range of roll off dumpster sizes to fit your project, and can accept all types of roofing materials, shingles and tiles in the same bin. You can rent the container for the entire length of your project, allowing you to work at your own pace. Once youâre done, simply schedule a pickup online and have the debris hauled away quickly.

Ready to Rent a Dumpster?

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Resources On Handling And Disposing Of Asbestos

Check national and local government websites as well as guides universities and other institutions publish for resources on handling and disposing of asbestos. These include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

You can review the following resources on handling and disposing of asbestos to learn more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones:

• Expertise in asbestos exposure, manufacturers and products
• Certified in CDC Health Literacy
• Member of the National Association of Science Writers

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Make Sure That Your Sliding Has Asbestos

It would be better to confirm that your sliding has asbestos or not.

For this, you will have to take a small sample of your sliding and submit it to the lab. This is not an expensive process, so you should not be bothered about money.

You can send the sample to Laboratory Testing or Environmental Services to get it tested.

To get a sample of your sliding, simply wet and tear off a tiny fragment of siding and put it inside a sealable plastic bag.

If you dont want to examine your siding for asbestos, presume it does and remediate it appropriately.

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How Asbestos Is Handled & Removed

Typically, once asbestos has been identified the company youve approached should offer a clear report on its location as well as a few recommendations for its removal. These may include two options depending on what type of asbestos youre dealing with, how much, its location and other similar factors.

Encapsulation is the least work intensive and thereby often the cheapest option to take. This is method of reinforcing the asbestos, as opposed to removing it entirely, with a protective adhesive. This adhesive bonds to the tiles, acting much in the same way as the original cement binding the asbestos in and preventing the fibres from escaping.

The second option is a full removal. This will include a team of trained professionals all decked in appropriate overalls, disposable gloves and respirators . They will need to wet any material containing asbestos, remove it and then clean the area with a Class-H vacuum cleaner and a damp rag. Depending on the situation there may also be the need to employ some scaffolding. All of this will naturally increase the price, but you can certain that the peace of mind will be well worth it.

How Much Does Asbestos Removal Cost

So, for the big question. Removing Asbestos from your roof can really require a lot of work especially when considering how uncomfortable all of the PPE can get. As you might expect it comes with a noticeable price tag. Naturally this will depend on the size of your roof, and how much asbestos needs to be removed or encapsulated but here well give a rough idea.

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How To Dispose Of Asbestos Siding

If asbestos has been detected in your house, you should have it removed as quickly as possible.

This article will help you to understand how to dispose of asbestos siding.

In certain situations, it may be preferable not to strip away the asbestos siding whatsoever.

Installing completely fresh siding on top of the existing asbestos could be a better alternative.

The rules regarding asbestos siding permit single-family house owners to extract and dispose of their own siding by executing the removal methods outlined in this article.

• Cleaning and Decontamination

How Do I Pick The Right Dumpster For My Roofing Project

The right dumpster size will depend on how many squares of shingles youâre disposing of, what type of shingles they are and their total weight. One square of three-tab shingles weighs between 230-250 pounds, while one square of architectural shingles weighs 400-430 pounds.

Use the charts below to estimate the size and number of dumpster rentals you will need for roof shingle disposal based on the type of shingles and the size of your roof. Please note that in most service areas, we can only dispose of shingles in 10 or 20 cubic yard dumpsters.

For Disposing of Three-Tab or Architectural Shingles:

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How To Safely Remove Asbestos Siding

Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years.

Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Deane is a member of The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board.

Universal Images Group / Getty Images

• Working Time: 2 – 4 days
• Total Time: 2 – 4 days

• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Estimated Cost: $150 to $500

A particular type of non-wood siding product popular from about 1940 to 1960 made use of asbestos fibers blended with cement to create hard panels that were both strong and fireproof. Though sometimes known simply as “asbestos siding,” these products are more accurately described as “asbestos-cement.” By the early 1960s, as it became clear that asbestos fibers posed health risks when inhaled or ingested, the use of asbestos in siding and other building products was gradually phased out and other types of fibers were used to reinforce cementitious siding products. But millions of homes were sided with this siding containing asbestos during these years, and today’s homeowners and siding companies are faced with the problem of how to handle this hazardous material as homes are updated with new siding.

Why Its Important To Handle Asbestos Safely

Improper handling of asbestos-containing materials puts workers and the general public at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma cancer, lung cancer and asbestosis.

The risk of developing one of these diseases increases with every exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, mesothelioma specialists havent found a cure for mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. Thats why strict regulations on the handling and disposing of asbestos-containing materials have become law.

These regulations aim to prevent workers and the general public from exposure to asbestos. Large fines and serious penalties are in place for those who violate asbestos laws.

Fines and penalties deter do-it-yourselfers from performing asbestos abatement projects that should be carried out by a professional. They also incentivize building owners and abatement companies to follow regulations that exist to preserve public health.

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How Much Does A New Roof Cost

The cost of a roof replacement depends on the size of your home, the roofing materials you choose, who is completing the work and how youâll be disposing of your old shingles. The cost to complete a DIY installation of asphalt roofing shingles can range from $680 to $3,700, while professional installation can cost between $1,700 and $8,400.

Disposal Of Nonfriable Materials

Nonfriable asbestos-containing materials are not subject to the departments asbestos waste disposal requirements. However, this material is still considered a solid waste and must be properly disposed of at an approved landfill or transfer facility in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Law. You should contact the facility where you plan to dispose of your asbestos waste prior to removal to determine any specific procedures, such as packaging, wetting and labeling, for waste delivery.

Nonfriable materials that become RACM must be handled in strict accordance with the requirements for asbestos waste disposal. Projects involving RACM must be performed by registered asbestos abatement contractors who are trained in the provisions for proper handling, packaging and waste disposal. These requirements include packaging the material in leak tight containers or wrapping and properly marking and labeling the bags with an asbestos warning label and information identifying the generator of the waste. The material must be taken to an approved disposal facility, such as a sanitary landfill, that accepts asbestos-containing waste.

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Hire A Junk Removal Company

Some junk removal companies will accept shingles, though many do not, so you’ll need to check with your local provider to see if they can take your roofing materials. Typically, junk removal services use trucks with 2-ton weight limits, meaning they can carry up to 4,000 pounds. One square of shingles, or 100 square feet, weighs between 230 – 1,000 pounds, depending on what material they’re made of. And the average roof size in the U.S. is 1,700 square feet, or 17 squares, with larger homes with garages exceeding 3,000 square feet of roof space. Because of this, using a junk removal service is usually best for a small amount of debris.

See If Your Contractor Accepts Old Shingles For Recycling

Some contractors offer asphalt shingle recycling services. However, this is something you should discuss with your roofing professional before your project begins.

Additionally, if you choose to recycle your shingles, you will still need to find a responsible way to dispose of your other roofing materials, such as felt paper, wood and roof gravel.

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How To Identify And Protect Your Family From Asbestos

Learning about asbestos products that may be common in homes and schools can help you protect your family from asbestos exposure. This will also help your family members learn to recognize and avoid waste that was improperly dumped that may contain asbestos.

There is no way to visually know if a product contains asbestos. The best practice is to learn about the products that are likely to contain asbestos and treat them as if they do, until you have them tested.

When people rent or purchase a new home that was constructed before the 1990s, it is likely to contain asbestos products. Even new homes built today may contain asbestos in roofing and flooring materials, cement shingles, millboard and corrugated sheets.

Older asbestos-containing products can include:

• Fireplace materials