Chalking paint on asbestos-cement cladding

Causes

Weathering, UV light exposure – chalking will be more visible with darker colours

Listed under: Exterior, paint, asbestos health and safety, cladding, walls, asbestos, asbestos-cement cladding

Cause

Weathering, UV light exposure – chalking will be more visible with darker colours

Repair

  • if you are not sure whether a fibre-cement cladding contains asbestos, you can get a small piece (about the size of two $2 coins, or approximately 2 x 3 cm) tested at one of the labs listed on our asbestos page

  • if the problem is limited to the paint (the cladding itself is intact and asbestos fibres are not being shed), wash down the cladding thoroughly but gently. Do not sand, do not use a water blaster, do not do anything to the cladding that may result in asbestos fibres being released into the air

  • when the cladding surface is clean and dry, repaint with a minimum 2 coats of good quality acrylic paint. Choose lighter colours to reduce the risk of future problems

  • breathing in asbestos fibres can lead to serious and potentially fatal illnesses. Work with materials that contain asbestos is very strictly controlled. You can find more details at the WorkSafe website.

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