How To Tell If Asbestos Siding

Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne.

How to tell if asbestos siding.

Determine when the shingles were installed on your roof. If they look old they might have asbestos fibers in them. Roofing and siding shingles are among the most common materials to contain asbestos and will readily release fibers into the air if 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.

It is ususally in a shingle shake form 12 x24. Layers of paint or finish coatings. If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm. While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding.

The only true way to identify asbestos siding is to have it tested. Put on a mask and scrape away some siding material into a baggie. Continue reading below our video of the day. Asbestos was used to make several exterior materials.

Asbestos shingles were so common during the 20th century that almost any shingles installed between 1920 and 1986 probably include asbestos. Installed before 1978 the fiber cement shingles probably contain asbestos. Asbestos siding was manufactured to resemble many different materials so it doesn t always look the same. Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken.

Age or date of installation. The original shingles of both asbestos cement and fiber cement usually come from the factory painted white on one side. Asbestos was particularly prevalent in siding that resembles shingles or was made to look like wood grain. It does have some characteristics too look for.

It may be smooth or have a pressed wood grain pattern on the surface of the board. Identifying asbestos siding the only way to be sure if your siding has asbestos in it is to collect a sample and send it to an accredited testing lab. Look for a siding that is made to look like roof shingles. If you don t know the age of the shingles inspect them for wear.

You may choose to take a sample of siding from a damaged area of siding. It is generally very brittle and the back may be black and have the appearance of tar paper. Inspect exterior building materials. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc.