Does Asphalt Siding Have Asbestos

While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding.

Does asphalt siding have asbestos.

Asphalt roofing shingles photo above left and other products that contained asbestos fibers such as asphalt shingles roll roofing and asphalt sealants coatings some roofing felts and mastics. Look to see what kind of shingles you have. Paper like vapor barriers can present more of a hazard since they are considered friable. Some asphalt siding may contain asbestos in the asphalt impregnated felt backer or asbestos may also be in the asphalt impregnated paper tar paper or felt used as a house wrap under the siding.

The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar. Some asphalt roof shingle products and therefore quite possibly some asphalt siding products did indeed contain asbestos fibers in their substrate or coating. Most homes have asphalt shingles and asbestos is more common in asphalt shingles. It is very difficult to remove spray paint graffiti without also dissolving or discoloring some of the siding surface coating material itself.

Testing your siding for asbestos if your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested. Asbestos roofing materials photos above containing asbestos included. Nonfriable means they cannot be broken up by hand pressure. If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm.

Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne. 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. No level of exposure to asbestos is deemed safe although the people suffering from serious asbestos related diseases are usually those who have handled. The health risks of asbestos have been known for many years since the early 1960s.

Inhaled asbestos fibers have definitively been linked to a variety of lung diseases including asbestosis and different types of cancer such as mesothelioma. Generally the product is made from wood fibers not asbestos see the insulating board msds data sheet quotations in the faq discussion just above. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. Roofing adhesives roofing felt and base flashing also might include asbestos.