Asbestos Singles Under Siding

Siding shingles are nonfriable because the asbestos fibers are held in place by a cement binder in the shingles.

Asbestos singles under siding.

This way you ll avoid the hazardous dust created by tearing the shingles off. But damaging the shingles can release some of the fibers. You can t drive screws and nails through them without pre drilling. Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely.

It was a very effective insulation but it has the unfortunate side effect of causing cancer. Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. 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 siding was made by combining cement with asbestos which is a naturally occurring mineral that is fibrous in nature and fireproof.

The use of asbestos siding shingles was a popular one that was used in the us from the early part of the 20th century until the 1970s. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. It has two layers of siding on it. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough.

It has also been used extensively in fiber cement siding which can make applying a top coat of exterior paint a stressful event. The pieces are about 20 x 10. This would trigger dust and asbestos dust is a problem as i ve mentioned. Demolition requirements for cement asbestos siding vary by where you live.

In some locations a costly and arduous asbestos air monitoring as well as special demolition methods may be required wetting for example and the material is disposed of in a hazmat waste sit. Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but brittle. Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken. Removing asbestos is often cost prohibitive for most people.

Instead cover the shingles with polystyrene foam insulation panels then hang the new vinyl siding using 2 in long nails. The first layer is wood shakes some of which are rotten and termite damaged. Asbestos is an older material that was commonly used in siding and insulation for houses. Over that wood layer is asbestos siding.

The most common and least expensive solution is to leave the original asbestos shingles in place and remove only the aluminum siding. In other communities the material is removed and hauled to a landfill.