Asbestos Siding

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Originally Posted by gmendes

Do you all use a statement to protect you *****ets when you believe it to be asbestos?

"Exterior walls were covered with shingles of a type which has a high probability of containing asbestos. Confirmation of the presence of asbestos in the shingle material will require analysis by a qualified laboratory".

[jmichalski]

I "borrowed" most of this from an assortment of places, I think....

Suspected asbestos siding was observed in good general condition with no observed dust, flaking or loose elements (confirmation of asbestos content can only be made with laboratory analysis. Trimming vegetation away from the side of the home at all points is recommended to prevent damage from contact, and reduce the potential for water or insect penetration.

Asphalt or cement roofing and siding that contain asbestos are generally considered "nonfriable" and are not hazardous when intact and in good condition. In other words, just having asbestos siding and roofing on your home does not pose a hazard to your health. Experts recommend that asbestos containing roofing and siding in good condition simply be left alone.
It is important to realize, however, that over time heat, water, weathering or aging can weaken siding and roofing to the point where they can be crumbled, pulverized or reduced to powder and, thus, considered dangerous. The act of removing asbestos siding and roofing can release asbestos fibers into the air where they can present a health hazard, if inhaled. Homeowners should avoid breaking, sanding, cutting, drilling and sawing the materials. If repair is necessary, asbestos siding can be patched with exterior caulking and can also be painted with latex paint. High-pressure washing and other abrasive cleaning methods should be altogether avoided.

Encapsulation, or containing the asbestos siding completely beneath another layer of siding is also a potential method of dealing with aging or damaged shingles without the need for removal. Consultation with qualified contractors familiar with asbestos siding concerns and methods of proper encapsulation is strongly recommended in this case.

[George Mendes]

Very nice, I appreciate it and will install into my handheld for future use.

Cheers,

[Michael Bazzo, CMI]

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