The material in question
For decades, rigid siding panels and roofing shingles were made by mixing cement with fibers, and asbestos was one of the fibers used. On mid-century homes around the metro you may see it as wide, flat panels with a faint texture or pattern, sometimes painted, often with a characteristic wavy or straight lower edge. Some garages and outbuildings have corrugated sheets of similar material.
When intact, this kind of product is generally considered non-friable. Hail changes that. Stones crack and puncture panels, leaving broken edges and fragments in the grass and gravel. The bigger concern is the replacement: prying, breaking, cutting or power-washing older cement products can release fibers.
Routine siding replacement versus suspect cement siding
| Typical replacement of non-suspect siding | Older cement siding that may contain asbestos |
|---|---|
| Panels are pried off and tossed in a dumpster | Sampled by a certified inspector before removal |
| Cutting new pieces happens on site with power saws | If positive, removed whole where possible, kept wet, not broken |
| Debris goes to ordinary construction waste | Packaged and hauled to a facility permitted for asbestos waste |
| Work can start as soon as materials arrive | Removal by certified personnel, with any required CDPHE paperwork |
After a hailstorm, if your siding or roof may be cement-based
- Photograph damage from the ground; do not climb up to pick at cracked pieces.
- Do not pressure-wash broken panels to clean them up.
- Leave fragments in the yard where they lie rather than sweeping or mowing over them, and keep children away.
- Tell your insurer the siding or roofing may be an older cement product that needs testing.
- Ask each contractor bidding the replacement whether they have accounted for testing and certified removal.
- Get the inspector's report before signing a replacement contract.
Questions for a roofing or siding contractor
- Do you recognize this as a possible asbestos-cement product?
- Who will sample it, and who will remove it if it is positive?
- What CDPHE certification does the removal contractor hold?
- How will broken pieces from the hail be collected?
- Where will removed material be disposed of, and will I receive the paperwork?
General information for the Denver area, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.