• Caulking can help advance the life of the finish.glazier image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
  
  

Extra Work

• Many homes built before 1950 contain asbestos siding. A coat of latex paint will render asbestos siding harmless by sealing it, so fragments cannot loosen and become airborne. Caulking is not necessary, as long as you are using a quality acrylic latex paint.
  
  

Extra Prevention

• Caulking the seams on asbestos siding can help advance the life of the finish by sealing out moisture. Although not necessary, this extra step can prevent premature decay.
  
  

Bottom Line

• Amateur painters should caulk vertical seams on asbestos siding to seal out moisture that can lead to premature rot, fungal, mold and mildew infestations. You should not caulk horizontal seams, as this will prevent air circulation, which can trap existing moisture and lead to dangerous mold infestations.