Asbestos Siding On Homes

Asbestos siding was made by adding asbestos a naturally occurring mineral to portland cement.

Asbestos siding on homes.

Asbestos siding was very commonly used in buildings and homes from around the 1920s until the 1980s and can still be found in many older homes in the u s. Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely. Asbestos siding was essentially a cement siding product that asbestos fibers had been added to. This was done in order to add fireproofing and stability to cement siding so that it wouldn t crack or break as easily.

Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough. Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken. Asbestos house siding was used for many decades in the u s.

Let the siding dry then prime and paint with the best exterior latex you can find. Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but brittle. Asbestos house siding was used in many homes until the epa banned its use in new products in 1989. 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.