Transite siding — cementitious shingles bound with chrysotile asbestos — was widely installed on residential and accessory structures from the 1930s through the late 1970s. While it's bonded into a hard cement matrix and not friable in its intact state, any cutting, drilling, sawing, or impact event releases respirable fibers from the broken edge.
The most common contamination event we get called for is a homeowner power-washing transite siding before a paint refresh — the high-pressure stream pulverizes the surface and aerosolizes fibers across the yard, the home interior, and the neighborhood. The second is partial repair after storm damage, where homeowners saw broken shingles to size without containment.
We assess whether removal is warranted, plan controlled wet-method work practices when it is, and double-bag everything for manifested disposal at a licensed facility. Encapsulation — paint over intact siding — is sometimes the right answer; we'll tell you honestly when it is.
Durham combines historic-district housing with mid-century ranch neighborhoods and a substantial older commercial inventory. All three of those building eras commonly contain asbestos materials in the places renovations want to touch.
Each one we've documented in cleanup work for homeowners who thought exterior asbestos was lower stakes than interior.
High-pressure water on cement-asbestos siding is mechanical abrasion at thousands of psi. It breaks the cement matrix at the surface and releases fibers in a fine spray that settles across the property and into the home through every open vent.
Cutting or sawing transite to fit a replacement shingle is Class I/II work under OSHA and falls within NESHAP notification thresholds for any project size approaching the regulated cutoff. There's no informal repair path.
Cement-asbestos shingles cannot go in standard debris dumpsters. They must be double-bagged in 6-mil poly, labeled as asbestos-containing waste, and manifested to a Class II landfill. Homeowners who skip this step are personally liable.
Exterior abatement is slower than most homeowners expect. The protocol is built around no-power-tool work and zero airborne release.
We collect a bulk sample of the siding for PLM analysis at an accredited lab, walk the perimeter, and document existing condition — intact, weathered, broken, repaired — so the scope matches reality.
Intact siding in stable condition can often be encapsulated with a high-build elastomeric paint and a maintenance plan. Damaged, broken, or renovation-impacted siding goes to removal. We don't push removal that isn't warranted.
Wet methods, no power tools, careful nail extraction, and shingle-by-shingle pull. Drop cloths or ground sheeting capture any dropped fragments. Work is done in conditions that prevent wind-driven release.
Material is double-bagged in 6-mil poly with asbestos labels and manifested to a licensed Class II landfill. The site is verified clean before demobilization, and any disturbed soil is sampled if warranted.
Real reviews from homeowners and contractors across North Carolina.
“We bought a new to us 1964 home last December and to no surprise, we had asbestos popcorn ceilings. We decided to remove the ceilings altogether versus just scraping them. To complicate things even more, we had a plumbing leak in a room that had previously been encapsulated, so we had to deal with insurance to cover a portion of the asbestos removal. Rusty and the whole team at Remtech were such a help from the first moment we spoke! They were responsive, flexible, and knowledgeable. They helped us get insurance what they needed. They even worked with us to do the removal work while we had to be out of town. Asbestos removal and dealing with insurance, especially as we were brand new to the home, was incredibly stressful. Working with Remtech was the opposite – they were helpful and easy to work with that I barely had to think about the work being done. It was a nice break for my brain! They also did a great job. We came home to a CLEAN house with no ceilings! While I’m hoping we never have to go through such a big project again, I know we’d be able to handle it because we can rely on Remtech.”
“Very fast, professional and responsive. Did floor asbestos abatement for our house for a very reasonable price and they were very quick to schedule to keep us within our very close timeline.”
“As a General Contractor specializing in Bathroom & Kitchen remodel, we complete in excess of 250 bathroom upgrades each year. Regardless of our remodeling and construction experience and capabilities, when it comes to addressing the unforeseen hazardous and environmental conditions posed by mold, asbestos, and lead paints, we have a responsibility to our customers to partner with the best abatement specialist possible, and as proficient in abatement as we are kitchen and bath remodeling. Remtech has proven to be that reliable and trusted partner for both our customers and company. We highly recommend the Remtech Team.”
“A few months ago I used Remtech Envir. to remove asbestos from the ceiling of my home, and to this day I’m still amazed with their service that I’ve been meaning to write a review, and today’s the day! The whole process went through so smoothly because of their professionalism, punctuality and care. At the end of each day I received an update from Rusty who was the project manager which was super helpful, and because of their expertise I knew the job was getting done correctly. There was a lot of asbestos to remove, and they showed up and delivered hard work to get it done within the time frame that was initially discussed. So grateful we used their services! I would highly recommend!”
“Our church basement flooded and the old asbestos tiles curled up and had to be removed. Jeff Brewer came over to look at our problem, explained what they would do. He furnished a quote very quickly with a fair price. After checking with two other companies, Jeff’s instructive conversation, ease of manner, willingness to help and a fair price won him the work. As a former contractor, I know how backed up companies can be in their schedule. He told us of a target time about 4-6 weeks off, which was fine. He called a couple of weeks later and had an opening in his schedule and wanted to come earlier. That was great. Their staff arrived on time and delivered a very quick, professional and clean project. This allowed us to get our Fellowship Hall floored and back in operating condition prior to the start of the school year. It is a pleasure to work with a company that communicates well and delivers their service in a superior way.”
“I have spoken with Bryan on many occasions about growth strategy. He has always been open to communicate. I look forward to future conversations.”
“Remtech came in and did a removal of asbestos when our home developed a leak and the sheetrock ceiling had to be removed. Got right to work, kept us informed every step of the way and did a great job of cleaning up. Would use them again in a heart beat!!”
“The cost was higher than expected, so I did not move forward at that time. I will use Remtech when I am ready to have the work done. They are very professional and take the time to answer any questions. The rep arrived on time, explained the process and provided the estimate. A very positive experience.”
The conditions that surface asbestos in one material often overlap with other materials and other environmental concerns. We address them under one roof.
Two decades of work on Durham-area properties produces the same handful of questions. Here are the short answers — the long versions are a phone call.
Cement-asbestos shingles look like overlapping cement tiles, often 12×24 inches, with a slightly textured face and a brittle feel when tapped. They were standard on 1930s-70s homes. The honest answer is a small bulk sample sent to a NVLAP-accredited lab — usually a 24-48 hour turnaround.
Often, yes — encapsulation with a high-build elastomeric paint is appropriate for stable, intact transite that won't be renovated, repaired, or impacted in the foreseeable future. The encapsulation has to be maintained, but it's a legal, lower-cost option for many homes.
When you're re-siding the house, when you're adding additions that will impact the wall plane, when the siding is significantly damaged or weathered, when storm damage requires replacement of more than a few shingles, or when a buyer's inspector flags it during a sale.
Even single-shingle replacement on transite siding is regulated work — the cut to fit the replacement releases fibers. We can do controlled small-scope repairs, but it has to be done under wet-method work practices and the waste has to be manifested.
Double-bagged in 6-mil poly with proper asbestos labels and manifested to a licensed Class II landfill. The manifest stays on file as proof of legal disposal, which protects the homeowner against future liability.
Most homeowners don't actually need full removal. We'll tell you honestly whether yours does or doesn't — and either way, you'll have a written scope and a defensible plan.
A photo of the siding plus the year of construction is enough for us to put together a starting assessment and a sampling plan.