How To Recognize Asbestos Siding

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.

How to recognize asbestos siding.

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. Most people know about asbestos being used as insulation and that inhaling the powdery substance can cause some forms of lung cancer. The presence of multiple layers of exterior siding can be spotted by noticing that the wall cladding extends out past. On the outside of buildings asbestos sheets were often joined together with aluminum runners.

While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding. How to identify asbestos siding determine the age of your home by looking at the property deed or any other records about its construction. Look specifically for any printed. Recognizing siding with asbestos asbestos siding was manufactured to resemble many different materials so it doesn t always look the same.

The presence of old dirty demotion materials may suggest that old asbestos cement shingles have been removed from the. It is generally very brittle and the back may be black and have the appearance of tar paper. Identifying possible asbestos materials 1. Look for asbestos cement shingles a mixture of asbestos fibers and cement or asbestos cement corrugated roofing which is thicker and more often found on old sheds barns and low income housing.

Look for a siding that is made to look like roof shingles. Look specifically for any printed information that identifies the siding manufacturer or date of. Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne. This however can change if the asbestos siding begins to dry out or get damaged.

If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm. 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. Check the manufacturer and product name on the insulation label and do a web search to find out if. Contractors and inspectors or anyone identifying asbestos siding can t tell from just an on site inspection whether or not your siding really has asbestos in it.