Does My Siding Contain Asbestos

Asbestos is a popular material that has been used to reinforce concrete shingles.

Does my siding contain asbestos.

Because of its fire resistant properties asbestos was common in many home materials including roofing shingles. Asbestos containing roofing and siding in good condition are best left alone. You can t see or smell asbestos but exposure to loose fibers can cause lung disease such as mesothelioma asbestosis or lung cancer. It was a popular additive to various housing materials from the 1920 s to the 1960 s.

Cementious siding and roofing such as fiber cement siding lap siding and fiber cement roof shingles containing asbestos may then have appeared on homes constructed between 1906 and 1980 in north america and contining later in some other countries. The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar. 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. Cementitious siding installed after 1973 is very unlikely to contain asbestos.

Some asphalt roof shingle products and therefore quite possibly some asphalt siding products did indeed contain asbestos fibers in their substrate or coating. Shingles placed on a roof before the mid 1980s might contain asbestos. It comes in the form of fiber and has a high fire retardant property which serves as a good reinforcement for concrete. If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm.

There is no legal requirement to do so nor is there significant real estate benefit. Sometimes asbestos containing roofing and siding can be covered with new materials. 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. While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding.

Testing your siding for asbestos if your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested. Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne. Just having asbestos siding and roofing on your home does not pose a hazard to your health.

They ll take fingernail sized samples and test them in a laboratory. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. These materials are known as fiber cement siding and they contain no asbestos. 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.