Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but.
Asbestos in aluminum siding.
The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar.
If your house was built around or prior to the late 70 s has the original siding and seems to be made of cement it is probably asbestos siding.
Removing asbestos is often cost prohibitive for most people.
Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne.
While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding.
Testing your siding for asbestos.
If a siding company removes an outer layer of siding and finds an older layer of asbestos cement siding beneath the standard procedure is simply to cover it over with new siding rather.
Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely.
And see asbestos cement siding for details about cement asbestos building siding its repair removal demolition or cover over.
Aluminum siding is pretty easy to identify.
If your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested.
See photos at asbestos siding in this document.
Most siding companies are well experienced at techniques for covering over existing asbestos cement siding with new vinyl aluminum or fiber cement siding.
Efflorescence chalking can commonly be seen on asbestos siding.
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.
Lead paint wasn t outlawed until 1978 so it s sure to be present on siding going back to the 1950s.
Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement.
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.
Cement asbestos wall shingles outside and not easily friable unless being demolished or cut with power tools.
If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm.