Asbestos Siding is a Common Building Material
Do you live in a home with asbestos siding? Many would be surprised at the numbers of people that would answer yes to that question. But it is not surprising because between the 30s to the 70s asbestos was and still is a valued durable fire-proof material. The major problem is it is considered to be a carcinogen and very dangerous to humans.
Asbestos Siding and Asbestos Shingles are They Safe?
Most building materials made with asbestos is so durable that in many cases materials like asbestos siding or asbestos shingles last more than 100 years in many cases. What makes these materials unsafe is when the siding or shingles get broken or have become deteriorated to the point the material starts breaking down. At this point the fibrous asbestos can become airborne and people can inhale it. Asbestos abatement contractors can seal the material so it is not dangerous to people.
If asbestos siding is properly installed and safely sealed the insulating effect and durability and fire-proofing capability the material adds to the home is second to none. Many materials that contain asbestos are banned from use. But in spite of all the dangers faced by contractors that provide professional handling there are still some that use some of these materials.
Asbestos Siding Removal
Asbestos siding removal can be dangerous and in your state there may be laws that forbid a person that is not a licensed asbestos abatement contractor to do so. If it is allowed and you try to do it yourself the important thing is that you or anyone else should not come in contact with the fibers. When the fibers escape into the air they can be inhaled and pose a serious health risk.
No one will ever recommend you remove asbestos siding by yourself. Even if the local laws allow it is still recommended to hire an asbestos contractor to handle the removal.
Proper handling of asbestos siding for removal will require you to use a mister to dampen the material before removal. Wetting down the material will minimize the fibers escaping into the air. Continue to wet down the contaminated material as you work to remove it so no fibers are released into the air. Asbestos siding or roofing tiles are often nailed on you will want to take special care removing the nails. Special care should be taken not to break the material while removing. Extra care should be taken with the material that is removed. Keep wet until placed in plastic storage bags to keep any fibers from getting into the air. If the removed material is just left lying around it become very easy to step on it and cause damage which make the fibers to escape into the air.
Another important point never under any circumstances reuse any of the material over again. Not only is it not safe it can be against the law to reuse any material in your area.
Always double check with the local laws concerning asbestos removal. In many cases it can be illegal to attempt the job of removal yourself. In all cases it is safer for the job to be performed by an asbestos removal contractor. Trained professional safely can handle removal and disposal of the asbestos siding with no danger to anyone.
