I have soffits that are some sort of cement board. The house was built in 1968. Was asbestos board still in use then? If so, how do I get it tested, and…. is there a way to deal with it that won’t take me broke?
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Replies
Chuck. I have seen a drywall that was used on soffits. As to whether or not it contained asbestos, I cannot say. This was on 60's homes. Brittle, bulged where compromised by water. Must have been an exterior grade, it did not deteriorate as would interior drywall. Maybe 3/8's-1/2" thick.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
In what way do you want to 'deal with it'?
What is the problem with it now.
If it is not friable there it can be left alone. And if there is a need to removing and can be removed in mainly whole pieces you can do that without any problems.
New vented soffit is going on, so I'd like to remove the old to get better attic ventilation. What's up there only has a 4" x 10" hole every 10' or so.
Check with your state eviromental agency. You can probably find the informtion on the web.
If it is not friable and you don't shred it up when you move it to release an asbestos in many state you can just put in the trash.
If it is asbestos-cement board it will contain white asbestos which is the least dangerous of the three types.
Removal without causing too many dust particles won't be difficult -- what may be nearly impossible is disposing of it afterwards.
IanDG
Asbestos started being phased out in the early to mid 1970s. I think the actual start of the phase out was 1972. Like others said, just because it's there, doesn't mean it is necessarily dangerous, or that you need to remediate it. It is the dust from this product that is dangerous, which would only be present if you are sawing it, performing other "construction type" tasks using it, or perhaps if to was badly deteriorated. Asbestos is very common in homes built before the seventies. It was used in all kinds of stuff like linoleum floor coverings, pipe insulation, acoustical ceiling tiles, roofing materials, siding, etc.