Old Asbestos Square Siding

Originally asbestos siding was used because of the fire resistant properties of asbestos.

Old asbestos square 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. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. About asbestos siding asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. Weatherside fiber cement siding is the 1 and only solution for replacing or repairing old asbestos siding shingles.

Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but brittle. This would trigger dust and asbestos dust is a problem as i ve mentioned. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc. The minute you start removing it you ll disturb the asbestos and need professional abatement.

It s easy to install after properly removing the old siding simply nail the weatherside siding in place and paint. On average asbestos siding removal costs between 4 and 6 per square foot. Unlike some of the original siding shingles that it replaces weatherside pre primed siding shingles contain no asbestos. As long as the siding remains intact it can stay.

Asbestos siding was used extensively in buildings and homes from the 1930s until the 1970s when it s use was banned. However if you want to remove you have two options. If installing new siding you can install it over the existing asbestos siding as long as the existing siding is flat. Asbestos siding never needs to be removed simply because it is asbestos.

Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely. Because fiber cement siding manufactured in north america after around 1978 was made without using asbestos in those later products and because those non asbestos fiber cement shingles included products that by eye were an exact visual match for their older asbestos containing brothers and sisters already installed a building built. In fact you may be able to install new siding on top of the asbestos siding no removal necessary. Weatherside is even resistant to warping denting rotting expansion contraction and termite infiltration.

You can t drive screws and nails through them without pre drilling.