Is My Siding Asbestos

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.

Is my siding asbestos.

Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. 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. And see asbestos cement siding for details about cement asbestos building siding its repair removal demolition or cover over. No installing new siding over the old asbestos siding isn t a viable option.

Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar. Scraping or brushing off old paint from asbestos siding is necessary before repainting but dangerous because it can release small asbestos fibres. Cement asbestos wall shingles outside and not easily friable unless being demolished or cut with power tools.

And typically that s made of wood or a composite. Intact asbestos siding on your home poses no health risk as long as it is undisturbed. Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken. 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.

Asbestos remediation and removal. Well i think he s calling he s talking about clapboard which is like a horizontal 6 inch siding. Siding materials that use fibers and aggregate other than asbestos are properly called fiber cement building siding products. All of these products use some sort of fiber along with cement.

Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc. See photos at asbestos siding in this document. In a house that was built in that era if it did have asbestos it would most likely be an asbestos tile. If you do decide to remove asbestos siding from your home the answer to is asbestos siding dangerous isn t necessarily yes.

If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm. It s not usually that style made of asbestos. 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. Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne.

Before 1978 in the u s. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough. The common reinforcing fiber used was asbestos.