Asbestos Question

6 years ago

I was redoing my porch and when I got to the board connected to the wall I noticed that the Masonite siding was rotted. So I decided to replace a couple pieces. When I took the old Masonite off I notice a tar paper (?) vapor barrier. Some small portions of it was cracked, brittle and flacking. I got rid of it and finish the job. I’m not wondering if that tat paper is the same stuff they use on roofs and did it contain asbestos? I live in a 1976 house and there wasn’t much of the tar paper removed just the damaged stuff that was falling anyway. I’m mostly worries because that side of the house is a dry, sandy, dusty area and the kids play over there. I don’t want them sucking in asbestos fibers. Pictures are below let me know what the verdict is.

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Comments (5)

krissie55
6 years ago
Asbestos was used in roofing tar paper from 1940-1976. It is possible there is asbestos in the tar paper you have.
kudzu9
6 years ago
1. No one can tell from pictures whether something has asbestos in it. But you can take a sample to a certified testing lab and get an answer for less than $100.

2. If it has asbestos, it is well-encapsulated by the tar, and risk of fiber release is very low.

3. Are you worried only about the tar paper you removed and threw away, or are you thinking that the stuff still in-place is somehow a risk?
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Benjamin Biddlecom
Original Author
6 years ago
Im worried about the stuff that I took down and threw away due to it breaking and flaking into little pieces in some areas. anything thats still on the wall is covered and sealed at this point
kudzu9
6 years ago
Benjamin-

I worked in asbestos regulation and abatement for quite a few years. I don't think there was any significant exposure or that you should have continuing concerns, even if this material contained asbestos. If there were any fibers, they've dispersed in the air and are not a risk.
Kyle John
4 years ago
Did you ever get this tested?