How To Tell If Siding Is Asbestos

These shingles are generally 12 by 24 inches and the bottom tends to have a wave like pattern though that is not always the case.

How to tell if siding is asbestos. Asbestos was particularly prevalent in siding that resembles shingles or was made to look like wood grain. If you don t know the age of the shingles inspect them for wear. They then send the samples to a qualified laboratory to test and determine whether they contain asbestos. You may choose to take a sample of siding from a damaged area of siding.

The only way to be sure whether your siding contains asbestos is to have it tested. Also look around the siding roofing and soffit materials for small dimples or shallow craters on the surface which are signs of asbestos. They can make educated guesses and may often be proven right but the only way to be sure is to have a sample of your siding tested for asbestos. And typically that s made of wood or a composite.

We found this cement asbestos siding debris on the ground around a home that boasted new vinyl siding. If they look old they might have asbestos fibers in them. Well i think he s calling he s talking about clapboard which is like a horizontal 6 inch siding. Testing your siding for asbestos if your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested.

Asbestos shingles were so common during the 20th century that almost any shingles installed between 1920 and 1986 probably include asbestos. To determine if your building has asbestos check areas where the material was most commonly used like the roof bathroom and basement. The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar. 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.

Put on a mask and scrape away some siding material into a baggie. If your siding has these characteristics then asbestos could be present. The presence of multiple layers of exterior siding can be spotted by noticing that the wall cladding extends out past the original window or door trim. It s not usually that style made of asbestos.

The age of an home or the siding on it isn t. Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc. Determine when the shingles were installed on your roof.

The asbestos network recommends bringing in a professional to collect samples.