Asbestos siding is a term used to describe shingles that line the sides of houses; the shingles are made from asbestos-containing cement. If the siding is not damaged and is left alone, is does not present a major health risk because the fibers are bound together by the cement mixture.

Why was asbestos used to make siding shingles?

Because of its resistance to heat, asbestos-containing cement was first used in places where heat and fire needed to be contained such as chimneys, ceilings and skylights. It didn't take long before homebuilders started to use it to make siding shingles also.

What should you do if you have asbestos siding on your home?

Don't panic. If you have siding shingles that contain asbestos, examine them carefully for water damage or aging. If there are signs of aging or deterioration, do not try and remove the asbestos siding yourself.

Toxic Fibers

If the siding is not treated correctly and the asbestos is disturbed, toxic fibers can be released. This puts anyone in the nearby area at risk of inhaling the microscopic fibers. Inhalation of loose asbestos fibers can result in asbestos poisoning and may eventually lead to the development of a life threatening disease such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Call a Professional

If you think your asbestos siding may be damaged, the safest thing to do is to call a professional health inspector to assess the situation. They have been trained to handle asbestos and will know whether or not  removal is necessary.

If the siding is not damaged, you are better off leaving it alone. If the siding is broken, drilled, sanded or sawed, the fibers become loose and are released into the air.

Removing Asbestos Siding

Removal of asbestos siding is not a simple process. Because loose asbestos fibers are so hazardous, only trained professionals are permitted to remove asbestos siding. This can be very expensive and can take a long time to get the permits necessary to move forward with removal.

Before removing asbestos siding, you should talk to a professional about siding over the existing material. This is a much faster, less-expensive repair. This process will secure the asbestos fibers in the cement and will not allow them to be released.