Do I Have Asbestos Siding

There is no legal requirement to do so nor is there significant real estate benefit.

Do i have asbestos siding.

Have an asbestos abatement contractor do it for you. Even re siding over existing asbestos siding that is left in place requires approval and safe handling. Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. Cement asbestos siding tiles do not need to be removed simply because they contain asbestos.

Identifying asbestos siding is a major concern for many homeowners with older homes that have cement siding. May is an important distinction though. Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne. 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.

Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding. According to the vinyl siding institute a national trade organization asbestos siding is a regulated material and the appropriate environmental agency or local building code official. Since asbestos was included as an additive when siding was manufactured for many decades the odds are good that original shingle siding on holder homes may contain asbestos.

The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar. It s pretty serious but according to health canada one of the world s leading sources of unbiased information on the subject if asbestos fibres are enclosed or tightly bound in a product for example in asbestos siding or asbestos floor tiles there are no significant health risks. If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm. Cementitious siding installed after 1973 is very unlikely to contain asbestos.