Does Asphalt Siding Contain Asbestos

Cementitious siding installed after 1973 is very unlikely to contain asbestos.

Does asphalt siding contain asbestos.

Testing your siding for asbestos if your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested. Since many older asphalt tiles contain some level of asbestos finding out if the tiles contain the dangerous fibers is difficult. The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar. If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm.

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. It is very difficult to remove spray paint graffiti without also dissolving or discoloring some of the siding surface coating material itself. 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.

It is acknowledged by the asphalt shingle manufacturers that between 1963 and the mid 1970s some manufacturers did use asbestos in the fiber mat of shingles. These materials are known as fiber cement siding and they contain no asbestos. There is no legal requirement to do so nor is there significant real estate benefit. Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement.

Nonfriable means they cannot be broken up by hand pressure. Do not sand drill scrape or nail the asbestos or asphalt tiles. While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding. Below are examples of some common asbestos containing products.

If you are not sure whether the tile contains asbestos or not always assume the tiles do until you find out otherwise. The benefits and natural availability of asbestos resulted in the material being used in hundreds of products from the 1920s until the 1980s when clear links were made between asbestos exposure and illness. Products that contain asbestos. Roof shingles even if the material contained asbestos which it might are rarely the only nor even the principal source of problem levels of asbestos fibers in a building and i suspect the same is true of asphalt based building siding.

Asphalt or cement roofing and siding that contain asbestos when intact and in good condition are generally considered nonfriable and are not hazardous. 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. Cement asbestos siding tiles do not need to be removed simply because they contain asbestos. Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne.