Asbestos cement is a composite material consisting of Portland cement reinforced with asbestos fibres. When manufacturers figured out ways to produce sheeting made using asbestos cement, it became very popular for several years before being banned in the 1970s. Red Dog Property Inspections are likely to come across this form of sheeting during inspections. Building Consultants and property owners alike can benefit from knowing more about how the known health risks of asbestos, as well as some of the common problems and issues associated with the material’s damage and deterioration.
History
Asbestos cement first came into use as exterior cladding after 1907, when Austrian engineer Ludwid Hatschek came up with a way to shape the material into sheets, allowing it to be manufactured as cladding and shingles. By the 1920s, asbestos cement replaces wood as cladding and roofing material because of its superior fire-resistant properties. This contributed to a boost in sales and, by the 1940s, hundreds of thousands of homes in Australia. had been constructed using asbestos cement cladding.
During the late 1960s and early ‘70s, however, the news media began reporting on the health hazards of asbestos. As reports increased, concern grew, so the federal government acted and, in 1973, the EPA banned the use of asbestos in the manufacture of building products.
Health Risks Associated with Asbestos Cement
Asbestos fibres are a proven health hazard if inhaled. Asbestos dust is a known cause of a type of lung cancer called asbestosis. Mesothelioma, another deadly form of cancer that attacks internal organs, can also be caused by exposure to asbestos. However, asbestos cement cladding that has been properly installed and is not in a state of decay presents no health risks if it remains undisturbed. This is because the cement binds the asbestos fibres and prevents their release into the air, under normal use and maintenance.
The EPA deems asbestos to be hazardous when it is in a friable state, meaning that it can be crumbled, crushed, or pulverized by hand pressure. Crushed asbestos in a powdery form can allow its particles to become airborne and inhaled, causing potential health problems. Asbestos cement products that are not in a friable state are not considered hazardous. The only potential danger is when the cement is disturbed in a way that causes the asbestos fibres to become airborne.
If mechanical activities performed on the asbestos sheeting, such as drilling, sawing, grinding, or sanding, allow particles to become airborne, then the cement is considered in a friable state and, consequently, hazardous. Deterioration can also lead to particles becoming airborne and potentially dangerous.
Advantages
- Asbestos cement siding is highly fire-resistant and will not burn or melt the way vinyl and wood will.
- It resists termite damage.
- It resists rotting.
- It has been manufactured with textures intended to simulate the look of other cladding materials, such as wood grain.
- It is easy to clean and maintain.
- Unlike more porous materials, such as wood weatherboards, asbestos cement sheeting will not quickly soak up paint, which allows it to be painted more easily.
Disadvantages
- Asbestos cement sheeting is very brittle and can be easily chipped, cracked, or broken.
- The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough.
- Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing, sanding, breaking, etc.
- It is difficult to find replacement sheeting for repairs.
- This product cannot be refurbished, unlike other forms of cladding. Weatherboards, for example, can be sanded and re-painted. Either of these methods can restore wood close to its original state. But this is not possible with asbestos cement sheeting.
- It is no longer considered aesthetically desirable.
Maintenance
Damage and deterioration can lead to structural and health issues, so proper maintenance of asbestos cement building materials is a primary concern. Keeping the cladding clean and performing any minor repairs as soon as they become necessary are both important.
Asbestos cement siding is brittle and has little resistance to cracking, chipping, and damage from impact, which can cause asbestos particles to become airborne. Damage to the siding can also lead to other damage related to moisture intrusion. Damaged areas that cannot be fixed can be replaced with non-asbestos fibre cement by a professional. Specific fibre cement materials have been manufactured for repairs that are intended to mimic the look of asbestos cement siding.
Landscaping features, such as a row of shrubs, can be incorporated around the home to help protect the siding from impact damage.
Inspection Tips
Here are some common problems associated with asbestos cement sheeting that Red Dog Property Inspections are likely to encounter:
- Chipping and cracking often occur with this brittle material.
- Fasteners used to hold materials in place may deteriorate at a faster rate than the cladding.
- Discolouration and staining may occur from corrosion or runoff from an adjacent material. The discolouration may be normal, but it could also indicate a chemical reaction that has decreased the durability of the material.
- Like many other cement products, efflorescence may appear on asbestos cement cladding. This crystalline growth can indicate that water is passing through the material, promoting the deterioration of the cement.
- Biological growth, such as moss and algae, can occur if conditions are favourable. This growth may stimulate surface deterioration and staining.
Because it was such a popular cladding material for many years, Red Dog Property Inspections are likely to encounter asbestos cement cladding when inspecting exteriors. Knowing some of the health risks associated with this material can be useful when answering clients’ questions about asbestos, although any specific concerns should be deferred to the appropriate healthcare professional. Property owners will want to hire a Red Dog Property Inspections Qualified Asbestos Assessor for the periodic inspection of this type of cladding as part of their annual or regular home maintenance.
