Asbestos siding was widely used in the past for insulation but its use is banned now. So, removing the siding, should be a priority and the cost estimate for the same, is presented in this article.
Asbestos has been banned from being used as an insulation material in construction. In the 1970s, the United states Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), officially banned it. However, by then, asbestos insulation had already been used in many constructions, all over the country, since the 1930s. So in 1986, EPA started a phase out program to remove asbestos products, used in construction, including the siding.
Asbestos Siding Removal
The choice of this material for insulation, was made due to its durability and resistance to chemicals and fire. It was banned by the EPA, when scientists realized the health hazards it can cause, when in crumbled form.
Harmful Effects
Crumbled asbestos or its dust can spread and be inhaled, causing harmful effects in the human body. Some of the most common exposure induced illnesses are Mesothelioma Asbestosis and lung cancer. These diseases could be prevented by removal of the material from the environment. They are caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers, which permanently attach themselves to the lung tissue. If your building has this type of insulation, make its removal a top priority. It is also illegal to have the siding in your building.
Three types are used in construction. They are friable, category I non-friable, and category II non-friable asbestos. Out of these, the friable variety is the most hazardous, as it gets easily crushed and becomes airborne. The other two are relatively less hazardous.
Removal Cost
Firstly, observe the outsides of your house. If the house has been built between 1930 and 1978, it is very likely that it has asbestos siding. If you are not so sure about it, then help is available. There are contractors who can test and confirm for you, whether you have asbestos siding or not.
If you find the siding and it’s crumbling, then it is absolutely essential that you get it removed or covered, as soon as possible. A prolonged exposure can severely affect your lungs. You have many options when it comes to taking care of the crumbling asbestos. You could either get it painted or cloaked with a siding made of a safer material. You can either choose to remove and cover the siding yourself or hire a professional contractor.
I will firstly recommend professional asbestos removal, as those people have the right equipment to get the job done. Secondly, open up the classifieds and call up contractors. This will give you an idea of the average cost, around the town. The average removal cost of the material is around USD 2000 to USD 3000 for a home. This includes inspection costs too.
As you can see, the removal costs can range anywhere up to 3 grands or more, depending upon the amount of work involved. When it comes to health hazards, you should not think too much about the cost, because the health of your loved ones is at stake.