It is very difficult to remove spray paint graffiti without also dissolving or discoloring some of the siding surface coating material itself.
Does asphalt siding have asbestos.
Asphalt or cement roofing and siding that contain asbestos when intact and in good condition are generally considered nonfriable and are not hazardous.
While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding.
Generally the product is made from wood fibers not asbestos see the insulating board msds data sheet quotations in the faq discussion just above.
The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar.
Asphalt roofing shingles photo above left and other products that contained asbestos fibers such as asphalt shingles roll roofing and asphalt sealants coatings some roofing felts and mastics.
Roofing adhesives roofing felt and base flashing also might include asbestos.
Paper like vapor barriers can present more of a hazard since they are considered friable.
Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer.
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.
Nonfriable means they cannot be broken up by hand pressure.
These shingles are generally 12 by 24 inches and the bottom tends to have a wave like pattern though that is not always the case.
If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm.
Look to see what kind of shingles you have.
Testing your siding for asbestos if your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested.
Some asphalt siding may contain asbestos in the asphalt impregnated felt backer or asbestos may also be in the asphalt impregnated paper tar paper or felt used as a house wrap under the siding.
Asbestos roofing materials photos above containing asbestos included.
No level of exposure to asbestos is deemed safe although the people suffering from serious asbestos related diseases are usually those who have handled.
Inhaled asbestos fibers have definitively been linked to a variety of lung diseases including asbestosis and different types of cancer such as mesothelioma.
Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne.
The health risks of asbestos have been known for many years since the early 1960s.
