How To Tell If Asbestos Siding

The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough.

How to tell if asbestos siding.

It may be smooth or have a pressed wood grain pattern on the surface of the board. You may choose to take a sample of siding from a damaged area of siding. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc. 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.

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 original shingles of both asbestos cement and fiber cement usually come from the factory painted white on one side. Put on a mask and scrape away some siding material into a baggie.

Asbestos siding was manufactured to resemble many different materials so it doesn t always look the same. Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne. It is ususally in a shingle shake form 12 x24. Layers of paint or finish coatings.

It does have some characteristics too look for. Roofing and siding shingles are among the most common materials to contain asbestos and will readily release fibers into the air if broken. If your siding has these characteristics then asbestos could be present. The only true way to identify asbestos siding is to have it tested.

Asbestos was also put into cement used on the exterior of buildings to help insulate the. Age or date of installation. Determine when the shingles were installed on your roof. Look for a siding that is made to look like roof shingles.

It is generally very brittle and the back may be black and have the appearance of tar paper. 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. Inspect exterior building materials.

Continue reading below our video of the day. 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. Asbestos shingles were so common during the 20th century that almost any shingles installed between 1920 and 1986 probably include asbestos. Asbestos was used to make several exterior materials.