Cement Asbestos Board Siding

Fiber cement siding is a building material used to cover the exterior of a building in both commercial and domestic applications.

Cement asbestos board siding.

Fiber cement is a composite material made of cement reinforced with cellulose fibers. Hence the safest easiest and least expensive option may be to leave it alone. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc. Fiber cement siding has several benefits since it is re.

It s available in a variety of sizes and shapes to match many of the old siding shingles installed over the last 60 years. Fiber cement board may come pre painted or pre stained or can be done so after its installation. Asbestos cement board siding and shingle. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough.

Read s 1958 patent for asbestos cement siding that is prepared with a colored and embossed or patterned surface resembling wood shingles or wood board 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. This publication is limited to the removal of cement asbestos board siding one of the three most common asbestos abatement projects attempted by homeowners. According to merriam webster asbestos cement is.

Originally asbestos was used as the reinforcing material but due to safety concerns that was replaced by cellulose in the 1980s. A hardened mixture of asbestos fibers portland cement and water used in relatively thin slabs for shingles wallboard and siding asbestos siding was first introduced into the us in the early 1900 s by austrian engineer ludwid hatschek. Cementious siding and roofing such as fiber cement siding lap siding and fiber cement roof shingles containing asbestos may then have appeared on homes constructed between 1906 and 1980 in north america and continuing later in some other countries. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer.

Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken. Unless cement asbestos board siding is being disturbed it will not release asbestos fibers. Patent 2 818 824 issued january 7 1958. Sometimes it is possible to work around asbestos without removing it.

For more information contact dnrec aqm. Weatherside fiber cement siding is the 1 and weatherside fiber cement siding is the 1 and only solution for replacing or repairing old asbestos siding shingles. Remember asbestos is a problem only if fibers are released to the air. Dnrec aqm has available two other guides in this series spray on pop corn ceiling and sheet vinyl flooring with asbestos backing.

It s available in a variety of sizes and shapes to match many of the old siding shingles installed over the last 60 years. Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement. Click to enlarge any image read clinton i and francis h.