Asbestos Siding On Homes

Let the siding dry then prime and paint with the best exterior latex you can find.

Asbestos siding on homes.

Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. Asbestos house siding was used in many homes until the epa banned its use in new products in 1989. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. Asbestos siding was made by adding asbestos a naturally occurring mineral to portland cement.

Asbestos siding was essentially a cement siding product that asbestos fibers had been added to. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc. 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.

This was done in order to add fireproofing and stability to cement siding so that it wouldn t crack or break as easily. Lead paint wasn t outlawed until 1978 so it s sure to be present on siding going back to the 1950s. 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. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough.