Home Asbestos Siding Characteristics

Their use was banned in 1977.

Home asbestos siding characteristics.

Asbestos siding is a type of siding that was introduced in the 1920 s as a fire proof cladding for buildings and homes that could also resist rot and insects. Attic and wall insulation. Instead it can be found throughout the home. Roofing and siding shingles are among the most common materials to contain asbestos and will readily release fibers into the air if broken.

Where can asbestos hazards be found in the home. Some roofing and siding shingles are made of asbestos cement. You can t drive screws and nails through them without pre drilling. There are some characteristics you can look for while trying to spot asbestos siding on your own such as.

Asbestos was also put into cement used on the exterior of buildings to help insulate the. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough. However you re not legally obligated to do anything about asbestos in your home. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc.

The areas asbestos is commonly found include. Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. Asbestos was used to make several exterior materials. This would trigger dust and asbestos dust is a problem as i ve mentioned.

Asbestos may be present in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints. Asbestos itself is actually a rock that has an fibrous makeup that looks a lot like hair or fur. Unless the asbestos in your home is damaged it doesn t pose any threat to inhabitants. Once you know about asbestos you can t go back.

You may choose to take a sample of siding from a damaged area of siding. Asbestos siding was a very popular product back in the 1950s and 1960s where siding shingles were traditionally reinforced with asbestos fibers. 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. Homes built between 1920 and the 1980s are likely to contain asbestos in any cementitious.

Asbestos was particularly prevalent in siding that resembles shingles or was made to look like wood grain. Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely. Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but brittle. Houses built between 1930 and 1950 may have asbestos as insulation.

Most older cement board products contain asbestos. If in good condition flooring siding or roofing materials with asbestos can last several lifetimes. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. If your siding has these characteristics then asbestos could be present.