Does Asphalt Siding Have Asbestos In It

Most homes have asphalt shingles and asbestos is more common in asphalt shingles.

Does asphalt siding have asbestos in it.

Some asphalt siding may contain asbestos in the asphalt impregnated felt backer or asbestos may also be in the asphalt impregnated paper tar paper or felt used as a house wrap under the siding. I must have been when they put it on in the 30 s. A brief history of asbestos cement siding. Asbestos cement is a mixture of portland cement reinforced with asbestos fibers.

Asbestos cement was first developed in 1905 by the johns manville company who became one of the premier manufacturers of cement asbestos materials. The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar. Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. Nonfriable means they cannot be broken up by hand pressure.

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. It is very difficult to remove spray paint graffiti without also dissolving or discoloring some of the siding surface coating material itself. Look to see what kind of shingles you have. Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne.

While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding. In both cases as both products may contain asbestos removing this siding will add cost to your renovation job. The portland cement binds asbestos fibers into a hard mass. Asphalt or cement roofing and siding that contain asbestos when intact and in good condition are generally considered nonfriable and are not hazardous.

Do you know the fancy name they gave this style of siding. Either treat the material as presumed to contain asbestos or have a sample tested. Siding asphalt shingle or sheet shows both asphalt based and asphalt combined with fiberboard based mineral granule covered shingle siding in various forms. Below is an example.

Some asphalt roof shingle products and therefore quite possibly some asphalt siding products did indeed contain asbestos fibers in their substrate or coating. Roofing adhesives roofing felt and base flashing also might include asbestos. Not sure if the old asphalt siding has asbestos. If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm.