Asbestos Siding in Homes, can be found in many different areas in homes built before the 80s. Experts have many opinions about asbestos, and some of their cautions are worth reading.
We’ll talk about asbestos siding in this article. You’ll discover what asbestos is, how dangerous it is, what to do if your home has asbestos siding, and the legal implications.
Table of Contents
Should You Buy a House With Asbestos Siding?
If you’re debating whether or not to buy a home with asbestos siding, there are several factors to consider. Basically, it varies depending on the buyer.
There’s, however, no need to reject a property just because it has asbestos siding if everything else about it is perfect.
You’ll learn more about asbestos in a moment, but it is not a health hazard on its own.
As long as the siding is not damaged or disturbed, asbestos fibers will not hurt you. However, it’s crucial to note that some insurance companies will refuse to cover your home if it has asbestos siding.
This implies that acquiring insurance for your home will be difficult. As a result, it’s always a brilliant idea to plan for siding replacement.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a fiber with excellent heat resistance and insulating qualities. It’s also a cancer-causing mineral that’s highly poisonous.
When asbestos is inhaled, it becomes lodged in your body, causing a variety of problems.
What Does Asbestos Look Like?
So, how does asbestos appear? Asbestos seems to be a white fiber in its natural state. However, it loses its particular characteristics when utilized in various materials.
That is to say that it is nearly impossible to determine whether or not a substance contains asbestos solely by looking at it. Asbestos siding can appear to be identical to ordinary cement siding.
Types of Asbestos
Asbestos is an umbrella term that describes six different types of fibers:
- Actinolite
- Tremolite
- Anthophyllite
- Crocidolite
- Amosite
- Chrysotile
The last two types are the most common types seen in most homes. These are also in the asbestos sub-category that is less hazardous. However, asbestos exposure is still highly harmful.
Asbestos Dangers and Health Risks
Asbestos exposure carries several health hazards. It’s enough to get unwell just by inhaling the fiber.
Mesothelioma is the most well-known health concern associated with asbestos exposure.
The ovaries, larynx, and lungs are all affected by this form of cancer. Other diseases linked to asbestos include:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Diffuse pleural thickening
- Pleuritis
- Pleural plaques
- Pleural effusion
- Asbestosis
Because asbestos is highly toxic, experts devote a great deal of time and effort to removing it from homes.
Asbestos cannot be used in the construction of modern homes, and significant renovations must always include the removal of any asbestos that may be present.
According to research, no set amount of asbestos is safe to be exposed to. Because even a tiny amount can be deadly, it is best to avoid it at all times. The more time you are in contact with the fibers, the more harmful it becomes.
Removing Asbestos Siding
As previously stated, asbestos siding can be removed from a home. The removal of asbestos siding, however, is a difficult task. It necessitates a surprising amount of expertise and knowledge.
Many people enjoy spending time alone at home completing tasks. You don’t want to attempt it while it’s asbestos, though.
When it comes to removing asbestos siding from your home, you should always hire an expert.
This is since tackling such a project necessitates using the proper tools, protective clothing, and understanding. Furthermore, asbestos must be properly disposed of.
There are also stringent local and federal rules that make it difficult to remove asbestos on your own.
What is the Cost of Asbestos Siding Removal
If you want to remove asbestos siding from your home, you should budget around 8 dollars per square foot of the siding you want to replace. The price per square foot ranges from 6 dollars to 10 dollars.
The fee takes into account the contractor’s hourly rate, the cost of materials, and the cost of removal. If you need 1,000 square feet of siding replaced, the price will be roughly 8,000 dollars.
Where Else Might You Find Asbestos in Your Home?
The asbestos expert will be able to point out any other potential areas in your home that may have asbestos. The following are a few of the most prevalent areas:
- Textured wall paints
- Materials on the ceilings and on walls that include decorative materials and soundproofing elements
- Shingles or roofing
- Floor tiles
- Insulations around the furnaces or stoves
- Insulation around ducts, boilers, or pipes
A lab test is the only method to find out if certain surfaces contain asbestos. An expert will visit your home, obtain samples of the suspicious substance, and examine it under a microscope.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that you can tell only by looking or by using a swab.
Can You Sell a House with Asbestos Siding?
So you’ve recently discovered that your property has asbestos siding. Do you plan to fix it or sell it as is?
The great news is that you can sell your house if you want to. Nothing prevents you from listing the home. Some real estate professionals claim that asbestos isn’t even a deal-breaker for a buyer.
The buyer has the option of replacing the asbestos siding themselves, requesting you replace the siding before the sale, or simply living with it as is.
Is It Legal to Sell a House with Asbestos siding?
Selling a home with asbestos siding is legal. The kicker is that the buyer must be informed about it. Failure to disclose an asbestos issue to the buyer could lead to costly litigation in the future.
Final Take
Asbestos can be found in a variety of places in homes built before the 1980s. Experts have a lot to say about asbestos, and some of their cautions are worth reading.
When it comes to determining whether or not to purchase a house with asbestos siding, the choice is entirely yours.
If everything else about the property is ideal, though, there’s no reason to reject a home solely because it has asbestos siding.
