Whether you suspect you have asbestos siding or whether you know you have it, the first action that must be taken is to assess the condition of the siding and what form the asbestos is in. If your siding is in good condition, even if it contains asbestos, there is no immediate cause for concern. On the other hand, if your siding is cracked or in some other way compromised, or if you're simply considering replacing the siding, it is often necessary to choose and install siding that can be placed on top of the old siding. This will create an airtight seal that will encapsulate any preexisting asbestos fibers and will also circumvent the extremely costly process of asbestos siding removal.
Three Main Types of Asbestos
It's important to identify what kind of asbestos siding you have. The best plan of action is often dictated by the categorization of your asbestos containing material (ACM).
Friable ACM is the most dangerous form of asbestos because the material can be crushed into a powder with your hand. This ensures the asbestos fibers become readily airborne.
Category I Nonfriable ACM is less dangerous because it is not as easily broken down. However, this type of asbestos is susceptible to fracturing with time and weathering, and when this fracturing occurs the asbestos fibers also become airborne.
Category II Nonfriable ACM is the least dangerous form of asbestos because it can only be broken down by direct tearing and does not easily allow the asbestos fibers to become airborne.
Most asbestos siding is Category I and somewhat dangerous, but if there is insulation within the siding this asbestos is Friable ACM. The condition of the material also plays a role in the categorization of asbestos. If your siding has suffered extensive damage, it may also be considered Friable ACM.
The Importance of Finding a Professional
Once you have determined, either for safety or esthetics that you need new siding, unless you are specifically trained in handling asbestos removal, you should contact a service professional. This professional should also be specifically trained and should have obtained any state licensing and/or certifications. Not only does improper asbestos siding removal endanger the person or persons working with the material, but most states require the asbestos siding be disposed in pre-approved dump sites that are specially equipped to handle the dangerous material. Both the delicate nature of this removal process and transporting the material to an appropriate site contribute to the considerable expense of asbestos siding removal.
Thus, finding a competent professional is important not only for safety reasons, not only for legal reasons, but also because a competent, trustworthy professional will be able to tell you whether your best option is to remove the asbestos siding or to seal it in with new asbestos-free siding. As a homeowner, you always want to be safe, but you also don't want to spend extra money needlessly. Contact a service professional through Service Magic, today, and find out if you need a Band-Aid or a cure for your asbestos siding. 
Marcus Pickett is a professional freelance writer for the home remodeling industry. He has published more than 600 articles on both regional and national topics within the home improvement industry.
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