How Does Asbestos Siding Look Like

Window and door caulking is another common exterior asbestos material.

How does asbestos siding look like.

Asbestos shingles were so common during the 20th century that almost any shingles installed between 1920 and 1986 probably include asbestos. Just to make things more complicated asbestos siding doesn t always look the same. Looks like a fiber cement asbestos cement back then siding. When these particles become airborne they present an extreme health hazard when inhaled.

Asbestos is a natural fibrous mineral used for insulation and fireproofing. Determine when the shingles were installed on your roof. If a siding company removes an outer layer of siding and finds an older layer of asbestos cement siding beneath the standard procedure is simply to cover it over with new siding rather than remove it. Common exterior asbestos materials are usually related to siding caulking glazing and roofing materials.

As the experts at asbestos siding note it is sometimes difficult to spot because it was often manufactured to resemble different types of siding in a variety of colors and textures. Maybe manufactured by johns manville. Look for a siding that is made to look like roof shingles. If you don t know the age of the shingles inspect them for wear.

The individual asbestos fibers that are released into the air are microscopic. And see asbestos cement siding for details about cement asbestos building siding its repair removal demolition or cover over. Older style cement siding shingles were traditionally made by mixing asbestos. Transite siding is a common asbestos containing siding material on older homes and garages.

Most siding companies are well experienced at techniques for covering over existing asbestos cement siding with new vinyl aluminum or fiber cement siding. I have always thought of this as very good quality. Cement asbestos wall shingles outside and not easily friable unless being demolished or cut with power tools. In most commercial forms asbestos looks like attic insulation a ball of thick fuzz.

The front may have a grainy sandy texture. Or possibly gold bond. It is usually brittle and the back may be black and have the appearance of tar paper. The 1965 construction date if accurate makes me think the asbestos cement siding would be original.

Look for siding that looks like roof shingles. It s a fibrous substance with lots of thin particles. Asbestos siding was manufactured to resemble many materials so it won t always look the same. Asbestos siding was manufactured to resemble many different materials so it doesn t always look the same.

See photos at asbestos siding in this document. Government defines asbestos as a naturally occurring group of fibrous minerals that are very strong can be woven and resist heat and most chemicals source. If they look old they might have asbestos fibers in them. When the fibers become airborne they pose health concerns.