Asbestos Siding How To Identify

Older style cement siding shingles were traditionally made by mixing asbestos into the cement in order to fireproof and strengthen siding.

Asbestos siding how to identify. Most siding created after the 1960s did not include asbestos. It may be smooth or have a pressed wood grain pattern on the surface of the board. Asbestos wasn t always added to cement siding and there s no way to tell from a visual test or physical inspection on site if siding really does have asbestos in it. The asbestos network recommends bringing in a professional to collect samples.

It is generally very brittle and the back may be black and have the appearance of tar paper. While an expert lab test using polarized light microscopy may be needed to identify the specific type of asbestos fiber or to identify the presence of asbestos in air or dust samples many asbestos containing building products not only are obvious and easy to recognize but since there were not other look alike products that were not asbestos a visual identification of this material can be virtually a certainty in many cases. Asbestos siding was manufactured to resemble many different materials so it doesn t always look the same. The only way to be sure whether your siding contains asbestos is to have it tested.

How to identify asbestos siding. The only true way to identify asbestos siding is to have it tested. Determine the age of your home by looking at the property deed or any other records about its construction. It is ususally in a shingle shake form 12 x24.

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. Are there several layers of siding wall cladding extending out past the original door trim or window trim could be an indication of several layers of siding the one behind is likely containing asbestos since it was such a popular material previously.