Category: Asbestos

Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers that are mixed with Portland cement. Because of its brittleness, asbestos siding is prone to crack and break when nailed. When you nail into asbestos siding on your home in Front Royal, VA, it can release asbestos fibers into the air and the ground. Breathing these fibers can result in lung problems and cancer.

Asbestos cement was developed first in 1905 by the John-Manville company which became the premier manufacturer of cement-asbestos materials. This type of material was used in areas in Front Royal, VA where fire or extreme heat needed to be contained such as chimneys, dormer windows, shingles, skylights, nail holes in the roof, and for protecting posts, walls, beams, and ceilings. The benefits of manufacturing asbestos siding included—

• Highly fire resistant
• Resistant to termite damage and rot
• Easy to clean, but be aware that power washing asbestos siding can easily crack the shingles.
• Easily paintable because it does not soak up paint like wood and clapboard.

If your asbestos siding on your home in Front Royal, VA is in good condition and you do not want to replace, it is not dangerous. Once you start sawing, ripping or tearing it off the side of your house is when you run into risks to your health. Asbestos siding does not have to be removed just because it contains asbestos.

Asbestos siding is normally found on houses in Front Royal, VA that were built between 1905 to 1960’s. A lot of these homes still exist today. The benefit of asbestos siding is that it is fireproof, just the shingles themselves, not the underlying structure of the house.

There is also a product that is similar called fiber-cement siding. This is different from cement-asbestos siding in that it contains no asbestos. If in doubt of which type you have on your home in Front Royal, VA, call a company such as Envirotex that deals with asbestos and have them come and test your home for asbestos-containing materials. Only then will you be positively sure of the type of siding you have on your home in Front Royal, VA.

If you are considering residing your Front Royal, VA house with vinyl siding, you will first have to have an asbestos abatement company such as Envirotex to remove the old asbestos siding first. A company like Envirotex will have the proper equipment and a professional team that is experienced in asbestos removal.

Commonly used in homes and buildings in Winchester, VA from the 1920s until the 1980s, asbestos siding can still be found on many older homes. A naturally occurring mineral, asbestos was added to cement that was then pressed into siding shingles which came in a variety of textures and sizes. This resulted in a durable product that was fire-resistant and absorbed paint well. It was cheap to make and resistant to the elements. Upkeep was easy and cost very little because it was easy to clean and paint adhered to it.

The EPA banned the use of asbestos in the U.S. in 1989 for new building materials. Homes that were built before that time in Winchester, VA most likely contain asbestos in some form.

Is Asbestos Siding Dangerous?

As long as asbestos siding stays intact, it poses no real harm. If the asbestos siding is broken up, asbestos fibers are released into the air which is extremely dangerous. Mesothelioma and other cancers, asbestosis and other lung diseases are a grave danger with continued exposure to these fibers from asbestos-containing materials.

If you have asbestos siding on your Winchester, VA home, it is best to call an environment company such as Envirotex who is experienced and certified to handle asbestos materials. You should always test first because there are other products out there that look similar but contain no asbestos.

A trained and accredited asbestos professional will take samples for analysis. These professionals know what to look for at homes in Winchester, VA and because of the health risks involved, this should never be done by homeowners. If not done correctly, there is a risk of fibers being released into the air where family members could be affected.

When Should Asbestos Siding Be Removed?

No asbestos-containing materials are welcoming news for any homeowner, but asbestos siding is actually one of the easier ones.

There are products on the market that offer a wide range of new shingle siding that matches the curved and scalloped contour of many older asbestos siding shingles that are on homes in Winchester, VA. If your asbestos siding is mostly in good condition, you can replace these broken or cracked pieces.

Another option would be to encapsulate the asbestos siding and install new vinyl siding over it.

If you choose to completely remove the old asbestos siding, it is best to call in the experts. They have the proper clothing, respirators and gloves and equipment to remove it from homes in Winchester, VA safely, not to mention, they also have the means to dispose of it legally. Any issues with asbestos should always be left up to environmental experts such as Envirotex.

Older homes in Upperville, VA that have the original flooring might be asbestos flooring tiles. These were relatively common in homes build before the 1980s. There might be no reason to panic or to ever have to remove these asbestos flooring tiles from your home in Upperville, VA. Meanwhile, it does help to know how to identify asbestos flooring because removing these tiles can be a risky business.

It is best to hire an accredited professional asbestos removal company. They are properly equipped to handle the removal safely and properly, and they have the means to dispose of the asbestos safely and legally.

How To Identify Asbestos Flooring

• Asbestos flooring was made into the 1980s but was most popular between the 1920s and 1960s. If you know when your house was built, or possibly renovated, this might help you in estimating when the tiles were installed at your home in Upperville, VA.
• Measure the titles in question. Asbestos flooring tiles were manufactured in three different sizes: 9”x9”, 12”x12”, and 18”x18″.
• Asbestos flooring tiles that are still intact are not a major risk and can be left in place and covered up with other products including carpet, vinyl, linoleum or concrete. Titles that are worn should be handled carefully.
• A main ingredient in asbestos flooring tiles is asphalt. The oil from the asphalt can leach out causing the tiles or the flooring beneath to show an oily discoloration. This is a sign that the tiles most likely contain asbestos.

The only way to be completely sure if indeed your flooring contains asbestos material is to have a licensed asbestos inspector take samples of the tile in your home in Upperville, VA and have those samples sent to the proper labs for testing.

Once you know for sure your home in Upperville, VA has asbestos flooring, you will know and can take the extra precautions if you ever choose to remodel your home. Remember, anytime you decide to remove the asbestos floor, it should be done by a professional asbestos removal company in Upperville, VA.

Homes in Marshall, VA built between the 1920s and 1980s can still be found with asbestos siding. Asbestos siding was made by adding asbestos, which is a naturally occurring mineral, to Portland cement. The cement was pressed into siding shingles which came in a variety of textures and sizes. This product was extremely durable, fire-resistant and easily absorbed paint.

When is asbestos siding on homes in Marshall, VA a hazard?

• If asbestos siding on your home in Marshall, VA is being cut, drilled, or broken into small pieces
• If an entire section of your asbestos siding is breaking, cracking or disintegrating
• If you plan on removing the asbestos siding to replace with new siding

These common situations are when you need to be concerned about asbestos siding on your home in Marshall, VA. If your asbestos siding is intact and in good condition, you can paint the siding, or you can replace the siding by installing new over the old.

Asbestos siding is not necessarily a hazard if you decide to remove the siding from your Marshall, VA home. Asbestos is a major safety issue when large amounts of asbestos are removed from indoors, and proper equipment is not used to capture and collect the asbestos fibers released into the air. Even when asbestos siding shingles crack and break, it is far less dangerous because it is outside and few fibers are released.

If you suspect you have asbestos siding on your home in Marshall, VA, have an asbestos inspection performed or if it is in good condition, just leave it alone. If you have any questions, call a professional asbestos environmental company, and they can answer your questions and make recommendations.

Although asbestos siding on homes in Marshall, VA rank low on the list of asbestos-containing materials, care and proper removal procedures should be followed at all times. It is always best to call an environment company which is equipped and knowledgeable about the protocol of dealing with asbestos siding and other asbestos-containing materials.

Winchester, VA, known for its beautiful Historic District along with its fine dining, museums, arts and entertainment, and farmers markets, still houses and employs many people with homes and businesses that were built years ago when asbestos was used for insulation, shingles, cement, and tiles. If you live in a home built before 1980, the possibility of having some sort of asbestos in your home is almost certain.

Are you at risk?

Possibly. If you find something in your home that you think might possibly contain asbestos, leave it alone. As long as you do not disturb asbestos-containing materials, you should be safe. If you are indeed uneasy or if you see any asbestos-containing materials falling apart, you need to call an asbestos contractor in Winchester, VA.

An asbestos contractor will have a team of professionals who will come to your home, do an inspection of your home for asbestos-containing materials by taking samples and then send them to an independent lab for evaluation. Depending on the results, your asbestos contractor may then design a plan for the removal of the asbestos-containing materials.

Process of Hiring an Asbestos Contractor

• Are they licensed and insured?
• Can they provide you with references with other customers in Winchester, VA who have had similar work done for them? They should be able to provide you with several references which you should contact to see if these customers were satisfied with their work.
• Consider the costs that that an asbestos contractor is quoting you for an asbestos removal and understand what services it includes such as inspection, air monitoring removal, clean up, waste removal and repairs.
• Obtain bids from several different asbestos contractors in Winchester, VA to cover all labor costs, materials, insurance, bonding, air monitoring costs, and asbestos waste disposal fees. Request a written plan from each contractor with a description of their plan for the asbestos removal.

Compare the services of each asbestos contractor in Winchester, VA to the cost in their bids and make sure you take into consideration the references of how each customer rated each of the contractor’s work.

An asbestos contractor in Washington, D.C. can inspect your home in Washington, D.C. for asbestos. They can take samples, access the situation and then give you a plan to rid your home of asbestos. When hiring an asbestos contractor, you need to inquire about their certifications and licenses required by your state. You can check with your state’s department of environmental protection or health for a list of accredited professionals.

What An Asbestos Contractor Can Do For Asbestos?

• Non-contaminated movable items will be removed from the work area.
• Plastic sheeting will be applied to walls and floors to isolate the work area from the rest of the home or basement. This is known as containment or enclosure.
• A three-chambered decontamination unit equipped with a working shower connecting to the work area will be set up. This is known as a “decon.” Workers who wear protective clothing, such as respirators and protective suits, must use the “decon” when entering and leaving the work area.
• A HEPA filter equipped negative air machine, known as a HEPA unit, creates negative air pressure within the containment area to keep airborne asbestos fibers from leaving the containment
• An airless sprayer will be used to keep the asbestos containing material wet during the removal process.
• Air sample pumps will collect air samples during the removal process.
• Any asbestos materials being removed will be put into a sealed plastic bag.

Choosing a professional to remove asbestos is not going to be the same contractor who does home repair or remodeling. They do not have the proper certification nor employ certified workers who are equipped to work with asbestos safely. If you hire someone who is not qualified, you put your family in great danger.

Proper equipment and the expertise to do the work properly will prevent the spread of asbestos fibers throughout your home.  An asbestos contractor in Washington, D.C. is professionally trained in environmental safety to remove asbestos safely and document the complete removal for future reference should you decide to sell your home.