Does Asphalt Siding Contain Asbestos

Nonfriable means they cannot be broken up by hand pressure.

Does asphalt siding contain asbestos. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer. Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne. Some asphalt roof shingle products and therefore quite possibly some asphalt siding products did indeed contain asbestos fibers in their substrate or coating. It is very difficult to remove spray paint graffiti without also dissolving or discoloring some of the siding surface coating material itself.

Since many older asphalt tiles contain some level of asbestos finding out if the tiles contain the dangerous fibers is difficult. There is no legal requirement to do so nor is there significant real estate benefit. Asphalt containing base flashings in reality while asbestos was commonly used in many asphalt roofing materials asbestos was rarely used in the shingles themselves. Roof shingles even if the material contained asbestos which it might are rarely the only nor even the principal source of problem levels of asbestos fibers in a building and i suspect the same is true of asphalt based building siding.

These materials are known as fiber cement siding and they contain no asbestos. If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm. 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. If you are not sure whether the tile contains asbestos or not always assume the tiles do until you find out otherwise.

Do not sand drill scrape or nail the asbestos or asphalt tiles. Paper like vapor barriers can present more of a hazard since they are considered friable. The benefits and natural availability of asbestos resulted in the material being used in hundreds of products from the 1920s until the 1980s when clear links were made between asbestos exposure and illness. While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding.

Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. Cement asbestos siding tiles do not need to be removed simply because they contain asbestos. 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. Testing your siding for asbestos if your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested.

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. Below are examples of some common asbestos containing products. It is acknowledged by the asphalt shingle manufacturers that between 1963 and the mid 1970s some manufacturers did use asbestos in the fiber mat of shingles. Asphalt or cement roofing and siding that contain asbestos when intact and in good condition are generally considered nonfriable and are not hazardous.