How do I know if my house has asbestos siding?

How do I know if my roofing or siding contains asbestos? Look for asbestos markings on the roofing or siding material or the packages in which they came, or call the manufacturer. Another alternative is to hire a Minnesota certified asbestos inspector to sample the material and submit it for laboratory analysis.

When did asbestos siding start being used?

Asbestos cement first came into use as an exterior cladding after 1907, when Austrian engineer Ludwid Hatschek came up with a way to shape the material into sheets, allowing it to be manufactured as siding and shingles.

How can you tell the difference between asbestos and wood siding?

Compare the newer siding to older siding areas and look for evidence that indicates age. Asbestos was particularly prevalent in siding that resembles shingles or was made to look like wood grain. If your siding has these characteristics, then asbestos could be present.

Is asbestos siding toxic?

Asbestos exposure, especially over an extended period of time, can cause mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer, among other conditions. Asbestos is most dangerous when the fibers are airborne and are inhaled. These are serious dangers to your health that you need to be aware of.

Does asbestos siding affect resale value?

Asbestos cement siding can also negatively impact the resale value of your home because of the way it looks. Unlike wood, which can be sanded down, repainted, and refinished, asbestos siding cannot.

How to Identify Asbestos Siding

Can I put siding over asbestos siding?

Vinyl siding, indeed, can go over asbestos.

How long does asbestos siding last?

How long does asbestos cement siding last? You can expect asbestos-cement siding to last 80 years or more. It was used extensively from the 1940s through the '60s, but not produced after the ban by the EPA on construction products that contain asbestos in 1973.

What happens if you breathe in asbestos once?

It is possible to develop an illness such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, pleural effusions or lung cancer after a one-time exposure to asbestos if the exposure was significant enough to lead to asbestos particles lodging in the body's tissues. The 9/11 attack is a common example.

Can you paint over asbestos siding?

Painting asbestos siding is often a much better alternative than trying to remove it. It's not difficult at all to paint asbestos siding, as one of its benefits is that paint easily adheres to it and it is very durable and can last for decades without chipping or cracking.

How do you deal with asbestos siding?

Wrap asbestos siding in 6-mil thick plastic sheeting and secure the plastic with duct tape, or place the debris in heavy duty plastic bags. Dispose of the asbestos properly at a landfill, or contact your local waste collection service to find out if they will pick up asbestos material.

How do you tell what siding I have?

The best way to tell what type of siding it is, is to go to an unfinished area like the attic, and look on the backside of the board to find the manufacturer's name or an AHA code (The American Hardboard Association). This will help you determine the manufacturer of the product and where it was made.

What kind of siding was used in the 60's?

Homeowners Go Crazy for Vinyl in the 1960s

From the 1940s to the 1970s, aluminum was the most common material for siding.

How much exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma?

Pleural is the most common type, representing about 75% of all mesothelioma cases. Out of all people with heavy, prolonged exposure to asbestos, 2% to 10% develop pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of mesothelioma usually do not show until 20-50 years after asbestos exposure, which is when tumors have grown and spread.

What happens if you touch asbestos siding?

Health Risks of Asbestos Siding

If asbestos is inert, there's absolutely no danger; you can touch, lick, or hold asbestos house siding with absolutely no risk of contracting mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other lung diseases and cancers linked to exposure to asbestos.

Was asbestos siding used in the 70's?

The use of asbestos in homebuilding was discontinued in the late 1970s or early 1980s, but it is still present in many older homes. If your home was built before then and is up to 100 years old, it could be covered in asbestos siding.

When was asbestos siding most popular?

Asbestos siding was a very popular product back in the 1950s and 1960s where siding shingles were traditionally reinforced with asbestos fibers.

Can you sand asbestos siding?

You do not want to scrape or sand the shingles directly as you could release asbestos but otheriwse you will be fine. Allow the shingles to dry for a couple of sunny days before you start to paint them.

Can you pressure wash asbestos?

Asbestos shingles should not be power-washed. The reason is that federal and state environmental-protection laws prohibit mechanically cutting or disturbing the shingles. It releases fibers into the air, and also leaves the surface of the shingles exposed when it dries out.

Should you paint asbestos?

Asbestos cement can be painted but extreme care must be taken not to loosen or release any dust or fibres. In fact, painting can make the material safer by sealing the surface. If you suspect that the material is straight asbestos rather than asbestos cement, do not touch – call in experts.

What are the first signs of asbestos poisoning?

How long does it take for asbestos symptoms to show up?

It can take 20 to 30 years before symptoms appear.

How do you know if you've been exposed to asbestos?

Does old house siding have asbestos?

Homes built between 1920 and the 1960s are likely to contain asbestos in any cementitious siding tiles. Cement-asbestos siding tiles do not need to be removed simply because they contain asbestos.