How To Tell If Its Asbestos Siding

While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding.

How to tell if its asbestos siding.

Buildings made between the 1940s and the 1980s are very likely to have used asbestos materials. Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne. Check the manufacturer and product name on the insulation label and do a web search to find out if it contains asbestos. This article describes the characteristic embossed fingerprints of woodgrain or knots on some fiber cement siding products the markings and stampings on others and the dimensions or details on still others all of which can.

The age of an home or the siding on it isn t. Put on a mask and scrape away some siding material into a baggie. This type of siding was manufactured up to the late 70 s until it was deemed to be a health risk. The issue here is asbestos and the risks of serious lung diseases it can cause.

Asbestos is actually safe unless inhaled. Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc. The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar. If your siding has these characteristics then asbestos could be present.

You may choose to take a sample of siding from a damaged area of siding. When used as a siding asbestos fibers were mixed with portland cement and pressed together to form what we know as asbestos siding. These shingles are generally 12 by 24 inches and the bottom tends to have a wave like pattern though that is not always the case. Even a single airborne fiber of the most dangerous types of asbestos can eventually cause a particular form of lung cancer if inhaled.

If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm. Testing your siding for asbestos if your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested. It s pretty serious but according to health canada one of the world s leading sources of unbiased information on the subject if. 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.

The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough. 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. Asbestos was particularly prevalent in siding that resembles shingles or was made to look like wood grain. Fiber cement siding identification photos markings.

Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken. Here we explain how to identify the manufacturer brand or type of fiber cement siding installed on a building. This happens when the siding is cut or broken. And make no mistake asbestos is dangerous.