Exterior Siding Asbestos

Breakage releases asbestos fibers.

Exterior siding asbestos.

If a siding company removes an outer layer of siding and finds an older layer of asbestos cement siding beneath the standard procedure is simply to cover it over with new siding rather. Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but. Removing asbestos is often cost prohibitive for most people. Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely.

Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne. The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar. Both the epa and the vinyl siding institute recommend not disturbing asbestos if at all possible. Installing vinyl siding will require disturbing the asbestos by nailing into it.

Lead paint wasn t outlawed until 1978 so it s sure to be present on siding going back to the 1950s. Fiberlock is the gold standard when it comes to covering up asbestos siding and preventing any potentially harmful exposure to chemicals. If siding should begin to crack or crumble immediately wet the cracked or broken areas with the pint size spray bottle or garden pump sprayer. If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm.

Testing your siding for asbestos. Let the siding dry then prime and paint with the best exterior latex you can find. If your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested. Wet the back of each piece of siding as it is removed.

Because fiber cement siding manufactured in north america after around 1978 was made without using asbestos in those later products and because those non asbestos fiber cement shingles included products that by eye were an exact visual match for their older asbestos containing brothers and sisters already installed a building built. If necessary carefully lift siding pieces with pry tool to expose nail heads. Most siding companies are well experienced at techniques for covering over existing asbestos cement siding with new vinyl aluminum or fiber cement siding. Lower removed siding to the ground.

Up until around 1985 fire resistant walls were produced with asbestos plaster. Unless asbestos siding is disturbed it doesn t pose a significant health hazard and does not need to be removed. While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding. This product has been certified and tested by both the epa and underwriter s laboratories as a barrier solution for asbestos siding making it one of the most trusted names in the business.