Asbestos Siding Facts

Asbestos siding was made by adding asbestos a naturally occurring mineral to portland cement.

Asbestos siding facts.

Scraping or brushing off old paint from asbestos siding is necessary before repainting but dangerous because it can release small asbestos fibres the approach of removing the old shingles and replacing them with new siding is an option that many homeowners have pursued though probably not as safely as they should. Wrap asbestos siding in 6 mil thick plastic sheeting and secure the plastic with duct tape or place the debris in heavy duty plastic bags. The material was banned in the 1980s as a known carcinogen. These fibers are resistant to heat fire and chemicals and do not conduct electricity.

The resulting product was very durable fire resistant and absorbed paint well. In the past asbestos fibers were added during the production of roofing and siding materials to strengthen them to increase their durability and to provide a limited amount of insulation and fireproofing to your home. It is versatile because it can withstand extreme heat and chemical actions. Dispose of the asbestos properly at a landfill or contact your local waste collection service to find out if they will pick up asbestos material.

Asbestos is actually not hazardous when left alone and intact and for this reason it is often advised not to remove asbestos siding so long as it is in good condition. The use of asbestos in roofing and siding materials has declined rapidly since the early 1980s. Asbestos is the name given to six minerals that occur naturally in the environment as bundles of fibers that can be separated into thin durable threads for use in commercial and industrial applications. So long as the asbestos fibers are not loose the siding should be repairable but in some cases it may need to be removed which can be a costly endeavor.

The danger is that when asbestos begins to break down it releases fibers into the air. 1 2018 the ohio department of health s asbestos program transferred to the ohio epa. For questions or more information about this important transition email us or call 614 466 0061. Siding shingles were made from asbestos as well as roofing insulation brake linings and fireproofing material.

However there are older homes built before the 1970s in which asbestos was used in the siding roofing and insulation materials. That cement was then pressed into siding shingles that came in a wide variety of sizes profiles and textures. When the asbestos siding on a house becomes damaged consultation and inspection with a licensed asbestos removal and repair contractor is necessary before proceeding.