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How To Tell If Siding Is Asbestos

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.

How do I know if I have asbestos siding?

The only way to be sure whether your siding contains asbestos is to have it tested. The Asbestos Network recommends bringing in a professional to collect samples. They then send the samples to a qualified laboratory to test and determine whether they contain asbestos.

When was asbestos used in siding?

History of Asbestos-Cement Siding Asbestos-cement was not only commonly used but it was a recommended siding material from the 1940s to the 1960s, due to its extremely durable and fireproof nature.

Can you put siding over asbestos?

Siding shingles are nonfriable because the asbestos fibers are held in place by a cement binder in the shingles. But damaging the shingles can release some of the fibers. Some experts recommend screwing, rather than nailing, when new siding is installed over existing asbestos-cement siding.

When was asbestos siding banned?

Asbestos house siding was used for many decades in the U.S. and Canada. Asbestos house siding was used in many homes until the EPA banned its use in new products in 1989.

What year did they start putting asbestos siding on houses?

Cementious siding and roofing such as fiber-cement siding, lap siding, and fiber cement roof shingles containing asbestos may then have appeared on homes constructed between 1906 and 1980 in North America and continuing later in some other countries.

How does asbestos siding affect resale value?

The general take on asbestos siding is that it’s dangerous and expensive to remove, so that often translates into a perceived lower value for a home that has asbestos cement siding, in the eyes of many home buyers and sellers.

Can I sell a house with asbestos in it?

Is it illegal to sell a property with asbestos? Absolutely not, although you will have to disclose its presence if you are already aware of it.

Should I cover my asbestos siding?

Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. Applying a layer of sheathing or sheets of foam insulation over the asbestos, then covering it with vinyl siding is a common practice; but be sure to check your local building codes first to see if it is allowed in your area.

What can I replace asbestos siding with?

Finding Replacement Asbestos Siding As far as finding replacement siding, various types and styles are now available from companies such as GAF,, with the GAF Weatherside line of fiber cement siding being one of the most popular and readily available.

Do homes built in the 1920s have asbestos?

The houses, which were an average of 80 years old, contained asbestos, used widely as fireproofing material and insulation between the 1920s and mid-1970s, mostly in the basements, wrapped around heating ducts, pipes and water heaters.

Can you pressure wash a house with asbestos siding?

Do not power wash your siding. This could release cancer-causing particles into the air which could end up in your lungs.

What was asbestos siding called?

Asbestos lumber — also called asbestos cement sheathing, it was used in siding materials such as false brick facing and shingles.

Should you remove old siding before installing vinyl siding?

The short answer is that removing old siding is almost always a better idea. Some homeowners may also worry they need to remove the siding themselves before the siding replacement installation, but with Weather Tight, that’s not the case.

How do you tear down a house with asbestos siding?

Begin chipping away at the asbestos-filled siding and removing piece by piece, by pulling any nails or trimming down. If needed, lift the siding with the pry tools to expose the nails more. Be sure not to release any debris into the air. Keep wetting the siding and place it onto a plastic sheet meant for removal.

Would a house built in 1950 have asbestos?

Houses built between 1930 and 1950 may have asbestos as insulation. Asbestos may be present in textured paint and in patching compounds used on wall and ceiling joints. Their use was banned in 1977. Artificial ashes and embers sold for use in gas-fired fireplaces may contain asbestos.

Which asbestos sheet is best?

American brands of asbestos cement sheets include: Manufacturer Brand Celotex Careycel Insulated Sheathing, Careystone Corrugated Asbestos Cement, Careystone Flat Asbestos Cement Keasby & Mattison Company Ambler Asbestos Corrugated Sheathing, Ambler Corrugated Roofing and Siding, Century Asbestos Corrugated Roofing.

Does asbestos affect home value?

When it comes to selling a property, asbestos can have a negative effect on the value of the home. Buyers can also hire an inspector or abatement company to look at the property, and would therefore have the power of negotiating a lower price.

How much does it cost to paint asbestos siding?

For 1,500 sq. ft, it can cost from $3,000 to $9,000. Encapsulating is a more inexpensive option for full replacement. An expert will painstakingly paint your siding using a latex masonry primer and high-grade latex paint.

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.