Identifying Asbestos What Does Asbestos Siding Look Like

Floor tiles and carpet underlay.

Identifying asbestos what does asbestos siding look like.

Look for siding that looks like roof shingles. Recognizing siding with asbestos asbestos siding was manufactured to resemble many different materials so it doesn t always look the same. It is generally very brittle and the back may be black and have the appearance of tar paper. Step 3 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.

Occasionally carpet underlay is found to contain asbestos. Roofing adhesives roofing felt and base flashing also might include asbestos. Unfortunately asbestos siding was originally designed to mimic many different types of materials. This could be an experienced contractor or someone like a building inspector.

These contacts can be found on the internet. It can be extremely difficult to identify asbestos in plaster and plasterboard without laboratory testing. If you need to be sure bring in a consultant that is uniquely qualified to identify asbestos. The front may have a grainy sandy texture.

The term asbestos actually refers to six unique minerals divided into two family groups serpentine and amphibole. If you are in question assume that the material is asbestos. Consult someone experienced in identifying asbestos. The front appears with a grainy sandy like texture.

Compare the newer siding to older siding areas and look for evidence that indicates age. Asbestos was particularly prevalent in siding that resembles shingles or was made to look like wood grain. It is usually brittle and the back may be black and have the appearance of tar paper. That said if your house was renovated prior to 1980 the drywall edging or texture compound might contain asbestos.

In order to identify asbestos and know what asbestos looks like we need to understand the mineral. Asbestos drywall was more prevalent in commercial buildings. Asbestos roofing mastics often contained asbestos fibers and asbestos was a major ingredient in cement asbestos slate look alike products or roof tiles or cement asbestos roof shingles. It is very brittle and has a black tar paper like backing.

Below is an examples of plaster containing asbestos which looks much like non asbestos plaster. You may choose to take a sample of siding from a damaged area of siding. Look for a siding that is made to look like roof shingles. If your siding has these characteristics then asbestos could be present.

Serpentine asbestos is made up of curly fibres within sheets of crystals. Asbestos siding usually looks a lot like roof shingles. This includes vinyl floor tiling and floor tile fixing glue.