Asbestos In Aluminum Siding

See photos at asbestos siding in this document.

Asbestos in aluminum siding.

Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne. While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding. Cement asbestos wall shingles outside and not easily friable unless being demolished or cut with power tools. 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 your house was built around or prior to the late 70 s has the original siding and seems to be made of cement it is probably asbestos siding. If your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested. Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but. 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.

Lead paint wasn t outlawed until 1978 so it s sure to be present on siding going back to the 1950s. Let the siding dry then prime and paint with the best exterior latex you can find. The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar. Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely.

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. If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm. Most siding companies are well experienced at techniques for covering over existing asbestos cement siding with new vinyl aluminum or fiber cement siding. 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.

Efflorescence chalking can commonly be seen on asbestos siding. And see asbestos cement siding for details about cement asbestos building siding its repair removal demolition or cover over. Removing asbestos is often cost prohibitive for most people. 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.