Asbestos Asphalt Siding

Testing your siding for asbestos.

Asbestos asphalt siding.

Shingles placed on a roof before the mid 1980s might contain asbestos. Alternatively if you leave the asbestos on your home you can safely seal the old siding underneath the new siding and because asbestos is an excellent insulator you will actually be adding to the energy efficiency of your home by leaving it on. 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. That cement was then pressed into siding shingles that came in a wide variety of sizes profiles and textures.

Asphalt or cement roofing and siding that contain asbestos when intact and in good condition are generally considered nonfriable and are not hazardous. 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. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. Use a flat pry bar to remove the asbestos siding or roofing material starting from the top.

Rosato engineering consultant newton ma reinhold publishing 1959 library of congress catalog card no. The resulting product was very durable fire resistant and absorbed paint well. If your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc.

Asbestos siding was made by adding asbestos a naturally occurring mineral to portland cement. Some asphalt roof shingle products and therefore quite possibly some asphalt siding products did indeed contain asbestos fibers in their substrate or coating. Removing asbestos is often cost prohibitive for most people. 59 12535 out of print.

Because of its fire resistant properties asbestos was common in many home materials including roofing shingles. Keep the asbestos material that has been removed wet. 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.

The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough. Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. However asbestos fibers can cause serious lung and respiratory problems if inhaled. Asbestos products and their history and use in various building materials such as asphalt and vinyl flooring includes discussion which draws on asbestos its industrial applications d v.

Wet down the asbestos siding or roofing with a mixture of water and liquid soap in a pump up sprayer to limit dust.