From the 1940s to the early 1970s, asbestos siding was all the rage. It was durable, fire-resistant, and offered excellent insulation. It seemed like the perfect solution for protecting homes, and many homeowners used it without a second thought. However, over time, the roofing and siding industry has evolved a lot, and there are now better, more sustainable materials around.
We’ve also learned more about the hidden dangers of asbestos, and what was once considered a great material has now become a health hazard.
If you live in a home built during that era, there’s a good chance it may have asbestos siding. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through why asbestos siding is a problem, when you should think about removing it, how much it could cost, and the safest way to handle it.
What Is Asbestos Siding?
Asbestos is a type of natural mineral fiber that has various applications, one of them being in the manufacturing process for residential and commercial siding materials.
Asbestos siding is made by mixing asbestos fibers into cement to create a durable, fire-resistant product. It was popular in mid-century construction due to its ability to stand up against the elements and its low maintenance requirements. During that time, many homeowners appreciated the fact that it could last for decades without needing much care.
What Happened To It?
Many homes built from the 1940s through to the 1970s had asbestos-containing materials in everything from insulation to siding. However, in the early 1970s things started to change. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other health organizations began to raise serious concerns associated with asbestos exposure.
In response, the EPA began regulating the use of asbestos in the late 1970s, banning certain asbestos products and enforcing strict guidelines for its handling and removal.
Why Should You Care?
Asbestos is hardly used in siding products today. However, if you move into a home with its original asbestos siding, there can be problems.
Is Asbestos Siding Dangerous?
The simple answer is: Yes, it can be, but the level of danger depends on the condition of the asbestos and whether it’s disturbed.
Asbestos itself is a natural mineral that can be broken down into tiny fibers. When these fibers are inhaled, they become lodged in your lungs and cause serious health problems, including lung cancer. The key issue with asbestos is that once its fibers become airborne, they can linger in the air for a long time, making it easy for anyone nearby to inhale them unknowingly.
However, asbestos siding is only dangerous if it’s disturbed, such as if it’s broken, crumbled, or damaged. When left intact, asbestos siding is relatively stable and poses minimal risk.
What Does Asbestos Siding Look Like?
Before considering how to replace the siding, it’s crucial to know how to identify asbestos, in order to know whether your home actually has this material. Recognizing asbestos siding is an important step in assessing your home’s safety and planning any renovation or maintenance work. While a classic identification requires professional testing, there are several visual cues and characteristics that can help.
- Age of the House: If your home was built between the 1940s and 1980s, it’s more likely to have asbestos siding.
- Rigidity: Unlike vinyl siding, asbestos siding is very rigid and brittle.
- Grainy Appearance: The surface often has a wood-grain texture to mimic the look of cedar shingles.
- Visible Dimples: Many asbestos shingles have small, shallow dimples on their surface, often in a repeat pattern.
- Layered Edges: The bottom edge of asbestos shingles often has a wavy or scalloped pattern.
The Benefits of Removing Existing Asbestos Siding
So, you’ve got asbestos siding on your home. Should you leave it alone or choose to carry out asbestos siding removal? Removing asbestos siding from your home can offer several significant advantages:
Increase The Home’s Resale Value:
Many potential buyers are wary of homes with asbestos siding because of the health concerns and removal costs. If you’re thinking about selling, removing the asbestos could make your property more attractive, especially if the new siding material is sustainable and an energy-efficient option such as vinyl siding or fiber-cement siding.
Increase Personal Peace of Mind:
As we know, asbestos can be harmful, so one of the most important reasons why you should remove asbestos is simply for the peace of mind that comes with it. Even if it’s not currently causing issues, removing it is a good option if the siding has been installed for years. Knowing that the material is gone can eliminate the stress and fear of future problems.
Enjoy Long-Term Cost Savings:
While asbestos siding removal is initially expensive, it may save money in the long run by avoiding potential health issues, legal liabilities, or emergency removal situations. This will ultimately contribute to a healthier and more cost-effective environment.
Enjoy Insurance and Regulatory Benefits:
Removing asbestos siding can lead to better home insurance options and rates.
In the majority of cases, your homeowner’s insurance will not cover issues related to asbestos siding. There are better chances for coverage when you install other types of siding as some companies view asbestos-free homes as lower risk. Additionally, it may help you comply with local health, safety, and building regulations, which can vary by location but often favor asbestos-free structures.
The Cost To Remove Asbestos Siding
If you do have a siding that contains asbestos and it is showing signs of damage, it is best to remove it. The average estimated cost to remove asbestos siding and install new siding is around $5 to $16 per square foot.
There are several aspects that can affect the total cost of the project. For example, before the start, you need to hire a professional to test the siding since it is the only definitive way to confirm the presence of asbestos. This can cost around $200 to $600 for one time.
Other costs include the costs of labor and the disposal fees. Materials that contain asbestos need to be disposed of at specific facilities that handle hazardous waste, which also adds to the cost.
Alternatives To Asbestos Removal
As you can see, the cost to dispose of asbestos siding is quite expensive, so are there any alternatives? Many homeowners instead choose to repair or even encapsulate their existing siding.
Repairs involve carefully patching or replacing damaged sections of the siding to prevent fiber release, which can be a cost-effective solution for minor issues. Encapsulation, on the other hand, involves covering the asbestos siding with a protective sealant or installing new siding over it, effectively containing the asbestos fibers. This method can significantly reduce the risk of fiber release while avoiding the high costs of removal.
Professional vs. DIY Asbestos Siding Removal
While the idea of DIY removal may seem tempting to save on costs, asbestos removal is one area where you really don’t want to cut corners.
Here’s why you should leave it to professionals:
Health Risks: Improper handling of asbestos can expose you and your family to dangerous fibers. Licensed professionals are trained to minimize this risk.
Legal Requirements: Many states have strict laws about who can remove and dispose of asbestos. You may be required by law to hire a licensed contractor.
Proper Disposal: Asbestos-containing materials must be disposed of at specific facilities. You can’t just toss them out with your regular waste.
Get The Best Siding Services in Oklahoma With A. Fricker Roofing and Waterproofing
Hiring a professional ensures the job is done safely, legally, and with the proper care that this hazardous material demands.
At A.Fricker Roofing and Waterproofing, we are committed to providing the finest siding installation and repair services. Whether you want to fix existing siding or want complete siding replacement, we can help.
Our siding experts have experience installing different types of siding. Some of the best options include vinyl siding, fiber-cement siding, and aluminum siding. Contact us today at (918) 402-7167 to learn more about what we can do for you.
