Is My Siding Asbestos

Some manufacturers use the term fiber reinforced cement for these products.

Is my siding asbestos.

Testing your siding for asbestos if your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested. Scraping or brushing off old paint from asbestos siding is necessary before repainting but dangerous because it can release small asbestos fibres. See photos at asbestos siding in this document. 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.

If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm. Intact asbestos siding on your home poses no health risk as long as it is undisturbed. No installing new siding over the old asbestos siding isn t a viable option. Well i think he s calling he s talking about clapboard which is like a horizontal 6 inch siding.

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. 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. The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar.

And typically that s made of wood or a composite. Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc. All of these products use some sort of fiber along with cement.

While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding. Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. In a house that was built in that era if it did have asbestos it would most likely be an asbestos tile.

Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne. If you do decide to remove asbestos siding from your home the answer to is asbestos siding dangerous isn t necessarily yes. And see asbestos cement siding for details about cement asbestos building siding its repair removal demolition or cover over. The common reinforcing fiber used was asbestos.

Before 1978 in the u s. It s not usually that style made of asbestos. Asbestos remediation and removal.