Asbestos siding poses a health risk to everyone who lives in the home. It is important to identify asbestos siding and properly replace it for precautionary reasons. This review discusses what asbestos siding is, what the signs are, and when to consider a professional siding inspection to check for asbestos.
What Is Asbestos Siding?
Asbestos fibers were often used to reinforce residential siding materials. This was done before the health concerns of asbestos fibers were realized. Although asbestos fibers are no longer added to siding material, many older homes still have it within their siding material, which can pose health risks.
The potential side effects of asbestos include shortness of breath, wheezing, a persistent cough, tightness in the chest, facial swelling, weight loss, and a loss of appetite. It is important to identify whether or not your home has asbestos siding before these potential side effects develop.
What Are The Signs Of Asbestos Siding?
The best way to determine if you have asbestos siding is to have a siding professional inspect it. If necessary, they can have it tested to verify if your home has asbestos siding. However, there are also signs of asbestos siding that homeowners can check.
These warning signs include a manufacturer that is known to have produced asbestos siding, siding that was installed between 1920 and 1980, multiple nail holes at the bottom of shingles, 12 x 24 shingles, and grooves or wood-grain patterns. The following is a more detailed look at each potential sign of asbestos siding.
The Manufacturer Produced Asbestos Siding
If you know the specifics of your home’s siding, such as the manufacturer and the year that it was installed, then you can contact the manufacturer to determine if they have ever used asbestos in the past. In addition, many newer siding shingles have a manufacturer code on the back of them.
You can check this manufacturer code to determine if your home’s siding is asbestos free. Asbestos siding is not likely to have a manufacturer code that is visible, but you may be able to determine whether the siding contains asbestos by checking if there is a manufacturer’s code.
The Home Is Built Between 1920 And 1980
Asbestos siding was most commonly used between 1920 and 1980. This is particularly true for siding that is cementitious, although it may exist in other siding materials as well.
If your home was built between these years and the original siding has not been replaced, then there is a relatively good chance that the siding contains asbestos, and you should strongly consider ordering an inspection with a licensed siding professional. Homes that were built after 1980 or before 1920 are far less likely to contain asbestos, but it is encouraged to verify this is the case for precautionary reasons.
Multiple Nail Holes At The Bottom Of Shingles
There are design and installation aspects of asbestos siding that are different from modern siding. Notably, this includes multiple nail holes at the bottom of the shingles. In addition, asbestos siding shingles typically have a more dense aspect and efflorescence, which is characterized as a white or grayish tint that results from salt deposits that remain after water evaporates.
12 x 24 Inch Shingles
Another common sign that your home’s siding may contain asbestos is the size of the shingles. Manufacturers that produced asbestos siding usually used 12 x 24 inch shingles. Of course, shingles that have these sizes do not necessarily mean that your siding has asbestos, but it should be considered a possible sign, especially if there are other signs that indicate the possibility of asbestos siding.
Grooves Or Wood-Grain Patterns
Asbestos siding often contains grooves or wood-grain patterns that are not commonly seen in more modern types of shingles. One way to determine if your home’s siding may have asbestos is to compare the pattern of your shingles with more modern shingles that do not contain asbestos. If your shingles are similar to modern designs or do not have grooves or wood grain patterns, then it is less likely that the shingles contain asbestos.
When To Consider A Siding Inspection For Asbestos
If you have concerns that your siding contains asbestos based upon the warning signs, then we encourage you to schedule a siding inspection. If your siding contains inspection and/or is outdated, then siding removal and replacement are recommended. This can increase the value of your home and keep you safe from any health concerns that asbestos siding has been known to cause.
If you are concerned your home’s siding may contain asbestos, then we encourage you to reach out to Adelphia Exteriors by phone or message today for an inspection in the northern Virginia area.