Asbestos In Aluminum Siding

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.

Asbestos in aluminum siding.

And see asbestos cement siding for details about cement asbestos building siding its repair removal demolition or cover over. 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 siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested. Efflorescence chalking can commonly be seen on asbestos siding.

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. Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but. Testing your siding for asbestos. Lead paint wasn t outlawed until 1978 so it s sure to be present on siding going back to the 1950s.

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. While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding. Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely.

Aluminum siding is pretty easy to identify. 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. Cement asbestos wall shingles outside and not easily friable unless being demolished or cut with power tools.

Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. Let the siding dry then prime and paint with the best exterior latex you can find. 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. See photos at asbestos siding in this document.