Does Asphalt Siding Have Asbestos In It

Asphalt or cement roofing and siding that contain asbestos when intact and in good condition are generally considered nonfriable and are not hazardous.

Does asphalt siding have asbestos in it.

It is very difficult to remove spray paint graffiti without also dissolving or discoloring some of the siding surface coating material itself. The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar. Asbestos cement was first developed in 1905 by the johns manville company who became one of the premier manufacturers of cement asbestos materials. Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement.

Testing your siding for asbestos. Some asphalt roof shingle products and therefore quite possibly some asphalt siding products did indeed contain asbestos fibers in their substrate or coating. These shingles are generally 12 by 24 inches and the bottom tends to have a wave like pattern though that is not always the case. Look to see what kind of shingles you have.

The portland cement binds asbestos fibers into a hard mass. 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. Siding asphalt shingle or sheet shows both asphalt based and asphalt combined with fiberboard based mineral granule covered shingle siding in various forms. Nonfriable means they cannot be broken up by hand pressure.

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. 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. Not sure if the old asphalt siding has asbestos.

Most homes have asphalt shingles and asbestos is more common in asphalt shingles. Asbestos cement is a mixture of portland cement reinforced with asbestos fibers. Roofing adhesives roofing felt and base flashing also might include asbestos. If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm.

Below is an example. Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne. I must have been when they put it on in the 30 s. A brief history of asbestos cement siding.