Asbestos Siding How To Identify

Look specifically for any printed information that identifies the siding manufacturer or date of installation.

Asbestos siding how to identify.

It may be smooth or have a pressed wood grain pattern on the surface of the board. 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. The asbestos network recommends bringing in a professional to collect samples. The only way to be sure whether your siding contains asbestos is to have it tested.

The only true way to identify asbestos siding is to have it tested. 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. It does have some characteristics too look for. How to identify asbestos siding.

It is generally very brittle and the back may be black and have the appearance of tar paper. Determine the age of your home by looking at the property deed or any other records about its construction. Asbestos siding was manufactured to resemble many different materials so it doesn t always look the same. Look for a siding that is made to look like roof shingles.

Most siding created after the 1960s did not include asbestos. 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.