Asbestos Siding I

Testing your siding for asbestos.

Asbestos siding i.

Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne. Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough. If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm.

Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but brittle. Asbestos siding was made by adding asbestos a naturally occurring mineral to portland cement. Portland cement is still used to this day in mixing with other materials to create fiber cement siding that in turn is installed by fiber cement siding contractors. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc.

Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely. Let the siding dry then prime and paint with the best exterior latex you can find. The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar. While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding.

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. Lead paint wasn t outlawed until 1978 so it s sure to be present on siding going back to the 1950s.