Is My Siding Asbestos

If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm.

Is my siding asbestos.

Cement asbestos wall shingles outside and not easily friable unless being demolished or cut with power tools. Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. See photos at asbestos siding in this document. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer.

Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken. Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne. Some manufacturers use the term fiber reinforced cement for these products. Testing your siding for asbestos if your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested.

All of these products use some sort of fiber along with cement. In a house that was built in that era if it did have asbestos it would most likely be an asbestos tile. And typically that s made of wood or a composite. The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar.

No installing new siding over the old asbestos siding isn t a viable option. Mesothelioma and other cancers as well as asbestosis and other lung diseases are a serious danger after continued long term exposure to fibers from asbestos containing materials acms. Well i think he s calling he s talking about clapboard which is like a horizontal 6 inch siding. It s not usually that style made of asbestos.

Intact asbestos siding on your home poses no health risk as long as it is undisturbed. And see asbestos cement siding for details about cement asbestos building siding its repair removal demolition or cover over. The real safety issue with asbestos is when large amounts of it are removed indoors and proper protocol and equipment is not used to capture and collect all asbestos fibers released. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough.

Scraping or brushing off old paint from asbestos siding is necessary before repainting but dangerous because it can release small asbestos fibres. The common reinforcing fiber used was asbestos. Asbestos remediation and removal. While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding.

It is very brittle and has a tendency to crack and break when nailed which can release asbestos fibers into both the air and ground. Before 1978 in the u s. These shingles are generally 12 by 24 inches and the bottom tends to have a wave like pattern though that is not always the case.