Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne.
Asbestos siding examples.
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.
This type of siding should to be painted every 5 to 7 years so it s not a maintenance free material like vinyl siding.
It s pretty serious but according to health canada one of the world s leading sources of unbiased information on the subject if.
We include research articles as well as patent citations that help trace the use of asbestos cement in and on buildings from the late 1800 s to the present.
Many houses still have asbestos siding on their exteriors.
The portland cement binds asbestos fibers into a hard mass.
Identifying asbestos siding is a major concern for many homeowners with older homes that have cement siding.
For a photo example see asbestos duct vibration dampeners.
Start by sending a sample of the siding to an epa approved lab for testing to make sure the siding actually contains asbestos.
Asbestos cement is a mixture of portland cement reinforced with asbestos fibers.
The epa asbestos web site contains general information on asbestos sources exposure and health effects what to do if you suspect asbestos training and laws and regulations.
Asbestos cloth asbestos fabrics were used for packing insulation mattresses firefighting blankets ironing board covers prison cell padding berets theatre scenery and hvac duct vibration dampers as well as a huge number of other applications.
This article gives a history of the production use of asbestos cement roofing siding products.
Expert sources universally advise that the safest and least costly approach to such material is to leave it alone intact in place covering it over.
While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding.
The issue here is asbestos and the risks of serious lung diseases it can cause.
Asbestos siding is very fragile in nature.
Even a single airborne fiber of the most dangerous types of asbestos can eventually cause a particular form of lung cancer if inhaled.
Either treat the material as presumed to contain asbestos or have a sample tested.
Asbestos cement was first developed in 1905 by the johns manville company who became one of the premier manufacturers of cement asbestos materials.
Asbestos siding was very popular product back in the 1950s and 1960s.
Asbestos cement roofing siding history dates codes patents give a history of cement asbestos siding roofing product use.
For details about asbestos fabrics.
Identifying asbestos siding is impossible unless you have a sample tested in a lab.
In both cases as both products may contain asbestos removing this siding will add cost to your renovation job.
And make no mistake asbestos is dangerous.