Asbestos Siding I

Recognizing siding with asbestos.

Asbestos siding i.

Asbestos cement is a mixture of portland cement reinforced with asbestos fibers. If your asbestos siding is largely in excellent condition and you decide to keep it you may only a few pieces that are chipped or broken to replace. 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. Most homes built after the 1980s no longer use siding that contains asbestos because of its obvious health risks.

The issue here is asbestos and the risks of serious lung diseases it can cause. Asbestos siding removal is a thankless yet often unnecessary task. And make no mistake asbestos is dangerous. If you re looking to replace a few of the asbestos shingles on your home various manufacturers today make a fiber cement replacement product that looks exactly like older asbestos shingles.

Asbestos siding was manufactured to resemble many different materials so it doesn t always look the same. A brief history of asbestos cement siding. Asbestos is a natural fibrous mineral used for insulation and fireproofing. Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement.

The epa asbestos web site contains general information on asbestos sources exposure and health effects what to do if you suspect asbestos training and laws and regulations. However fixer uppers and older homes with their original siding may still contain this dangerous material. When the fibers become airborne they pose health concerns. Even a single airborne fiber of the most dangerous types of asbestos can eventually cause a particular form of lung cancer if inhaled.

It is thankless because after all of that time and money spent on removal you are now the owner of a house that needs immediate re siding and more expenditure of money. Look for a siding that is made to look like roof shingles. That cement was then pressed into siding shingles that came in a wide. 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.

Asbestos siding was made by adding asbestos a naturally occurring mineral to portland cement. The portland cement binds asbestos fibers into a hard mass.