How Do I Identify Asbestos Siding

What to do in case asbestos is present.

How do i identify 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. The nails used to secure the shingles probably won t help. On the outside of buildings asbestos sheets were often joined together with aluminum runners. Look specifically for any printed information that identifies the siding manufacturer or date of.

Look specifically for any printed. Check the manufacturer and product name on the insulation label and do a web search to find out if. If they look old they might have asbestos fibers in them. 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.

Identifying possible asbestos materials 1. The presence of old dirty demotion materials may suggest that old asbestos cement shingles have been removed from the. Asbestos shingles were so common during the 20th century that almost any shingles installed between 1920 and 1986 probably include asbestos. Professionals can come up with a way of protecting you during this time since asbestos fibers have to be airborne to affect you.

If you don t know the age of the shingles inspect them for wear. 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. Look for a siding that is made to look like roof shingles. The presence of multiple layers of exterior siding can be spotted by noticing that the wall cladding extends out past.

Asbestos siding was manufactured to resemble many different materials so it doesn t always look the same. After completing the job make sure that your inspector tests the air in order to determine whether there is any residual asbestos around. Determine when the shingles were installed on your roof. 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.

It is generally very brittle and the back may be black and have the appearance of tar paper. Get a professional to collect samples.