Asbestos Siding I

Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc.

Asbestos siding i.

The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar. Asbestos siding was made by adding asbestos a naturally occurring mineral to portland cement. Asbestos siding was very commonly used in buildings and homes from around the 1920s until the 1980s and can still be found in many older homes in the u s. Testing your siding for asbestos.

Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but brittle. 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. If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm. While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding.

If your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested. Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken. Let the siding dry then prime and paint with the best exterior latex you can find. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough.

Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely. In fact asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was added to portland cement between the 1920s and 1980s.