Does My Siding Contain Asbestos

It comes in the form of fiber and has a high fire retardant property which serves as a good reinforcement for concrete.

Does my siding contain asbestos.

Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. Asbestos is a popular material that has been used to reinforce concrete shingles. Because of its fire resistant properties asbestos was common in many home materials including roofing shingles. Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne.

If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm. Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar. Damaged roofing and siding should be carefully repaired.

Shingles placed on a roof before the mid 1980s might contain asbestos. These materials are known as fiber cement siding and they contain no asbestos. You can t see or smell asbestos but exposure to loose fibers can cause lung disease such as mesothelioma asbestosis or lung cancer. Testing your siding for asbestos if your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested.

Some asphalt roof shingle products and therefore quite possibly some asphalt siding products did indeed contain asbestos fibers in their substrate or coating. There is no legal requirement to do so nor is there significant real estate benefit. However asbestos fibers can cause serious lung and respiratory problems if inhaled. The only reliable way to know if your home contains asbestos is to hire an environmental consulting firm or asbestos building inspector for asbestos testing.

Just having asbestos siding and roofing on your home does not pose a hazard to your health. Cementitious siding installed after 1973 is very unlikely to contain asbestos. They ll take fingernail sized samples and test them in a laboratory. It was a popular additive to various housing materials from the 1920 s to the 1960 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. Cement asbestos siding tiles do not need to be removed simply because they contain asbestos. While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding. Asbestos containing roofing and siding in good condition are best left alone.