What Is Asbestos Siding?

Asbestos is a word that can strike fear in the hearts of most homeowners. This article will help you identify asbestos siding in your home and remove it safely.

Asbestos Siding History

The first use of asbestos cement was seen in homes in the early 1900s. When an Australian engineer then discovered how to form the asbestos into sheets, it started to be used as siding and shingles, as well. Not long after, it was widely accepted as an alternative to wood and other roofing materials due to its fire-resistant properties.  By the 1940s, asbestos siding had become extremely popular.

Just a few decades after asbestos siding had found its way into many homes and buildings, numerous health hazards started being reported. Asbestos had been shown to cause Asbestosis, lung cancer, Mesothelioma and Pleural disease. Use of asbestos for the manufacture of building products was eventually banned in the 1970s.

What Form Of Asbestos Was Used In Siding?

Fibrous cement sheets are great for housing construction use because they are more durable than drywall and easier to use than concrete. Nowadays, these sheets contain a safe plant material cellulose. Yet, for decades these were the sheets made with asbestos. That, obviously, is no longer the case.

Siding containing asbestos could be in these forms:

• Asbestos lumber: This was used in siding materials like false brick facing and shingles.
• Corrugated sheets: This is a more affordable alternative to corrugated metal panels.

What Does Asbestos Siding Look Like?

Here are a few ways to see if asbestos is present in your home:

• The siding will most often have 2-3 nail holes at the bottom of each panel.
• It feels much denser to the touch compared to modern fiber cement siding.
• The texture will seem a bit chalky.
• The siding is a 12-by-24-inch shake or shingle.
• It features a wavy pattern or wood grain pattern at the bottom.

Of course, if your home was built before 1970, you should have a professional check for asbestos.

How To Dispose Of Asbestos Siding

In many parts of the U.S., there are really no laws forcing you to hire a professional asbestos removal company. This means if you wish to perform the removal yourself, you can. Make sure you know your local codes regarding the disposal process after the asbestos has been removed.

Staying safe during this process is the number one priority for any home/business owner performing a removal. Be extremely careful when drilling, cutting or sanding. Any sort of dust particles released during the cleaning can be harmful. The dust is highly toxic and can impact your overall health. It is suggested to remove a nail or the entire siding itself. You should stay safe during this task as long as the shingles are not brittle and don’t cause smoke to emit.

Make sure you have all of these supplies when attempting the asbestos removal:

• Crowbar to remove the nails.
• A nail-pulling device.
• Knife or scissors to sever the polyethylene sheet.
• HEPA respirator.
• Disposable garments to clean, such as coveralls, rubber boots, safety glasses, and rubber gloves.
• Container to hold the debris.
• Disposable bags meant for asbestos removal and some duct tape for the bags.
• Basic garden hose with water and a spray attachment.
• Liquid dishwashing detergent.

If you need a professional service to remove the asbestos, this is the safest way to go about the process. The average price for asbestos siding removal is $1,000, with a range of $800-$1,200, according to Theasbestosinstitute.

Native Environmental LLC In Phoenix, Arizona

Native Environmental LLC is a industrial cleaning company located in Phoenix, Arizona offering a full list of industrial cleaning services including mold removal/remediation, asbestos removal/remediation, mercury spill clean up, silo cleaning and more. We can also help with industrial cleaning in Tempe, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, South Phoenix, Central Phoenix, Scottsdale, Arizona and more.