Asbestos Siding
Because of its strength, durability, and excellent insulating and weather-proofing characteristics, asbestos siding was used pervasively to build and remodel homes between 1930 to 1980. Around 1980, however, experts discovered that exposure to asbestos caused serious harm and even death. Since then, the use of asbestos siding to build and repair homes has rapidly declined. Still, many older homes still have asbestos siding and it is important to know how to handle this potentially dangerous material.
Asbestos Siding on Your Home
To determine if the siding of your home is asbestos siding, you can try to track the product back to its manufacturer (which might be difficult to do) or submit it to a lab for testing (which may also be a complicated process). If you need to determine with certainty the presence or absence of asbestos in your home’s siding, these are good routes of inquiry.
Types of Asbestos Siding
Different types of asbestos siding include:
- Asphalt roofing
- Shingles
- Cement siding
- Wood shake vapor retardants
- Certain types of exterior paints and coatings
Handling Asbestos Siding
If you believe you have asbestos siding on your home, it is possible to have this material professionally removed to reduce the risk of exposure. However, if the asbestos siding on your home is in good condition, it doesn’t necessarily present any health risk to you. If the asbestos siding is in good condition, often the best course of action is to leave it alone.
Asbestos siding only poses a health risk when the material is compromised in some way and the asbestos fibers within become friable (that is, able to be broken up or crushed). If you are wanting to add new siding to your home, it may be possible to cover the asbestos siding with new siding, so long as you don’t damage the original siding or build any exterior walls.
However, it is always wise to consult a professional on the best course of action. If you want to remove and replace asbestos siding you must use a professional contractor who is qualified to handle asbestos siding. Trying to remove it yourself can pose serious health risks. Your local yellow pages should have listings for professional asbestos removal services.
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