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.

It may be smooth or have a pressed wood grain pattern on the surface of the board. It does have some characteristics too look for. 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.

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

The asbestos network recommends bringing in a professional to collect samples. Most siding created after the 1960s did not include asbestos.