Do I Have Asbestos Siding

The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar.

Do i have asbestos siding.

There is no legal requirement to do so nor is there significant real estate benefit. 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. Even re siding over existing asbestos siding that is left in place requires approval and safe handling. 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.

Identifying asbestos siding is a major concern for many homeowners with older homes that have cement siding. 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. Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. Cementitious siding installed after 1973 is very unlikely to contain asbestos.

Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. These materials are known as fiber cement siding and they contain no asbestos. May is an important distinction though.

If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm. 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. Testing your siding for asbestos if your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested. 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.