How To Determine If Siding Is Asbestos Or Not

When was it installed fiber cement siding that was installed before the material was limited in its use will likely have it included in them simply because it came with so many different benefits.

How to determine if siding is asbestos or not. Generally it requires either a lab test or inspection by a pro to determine if asbestos is present or not. 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. If a homeowner suspects that his or her home siding contains asbestos the homeowner may contact certified professionals to test the siding to determine if that is the case. The asbestos network recommends bringing in a professional to collect samples.

Many manufacturers made their products to look like asbestos free products so it is not really possible to determine if your siding contains asbestos just by looks. Look online for a lab near you to have a test performed on your siding and ensure the safety of your home and family. The only way to be sure whether your siding contains asbestos is to have it tested. Most siding created after the 1960s did not include asbestos.

Determine the age of your home by looking at the property deed or any other records about its construction. 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. 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.

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. The only true way to identify asbestos siding is to have it tested. Also look around the siding roofing and soffit materials for small dimples or shallow craters on the surface which are signs of asbestos. Generally if one is to discover that asbestos has been used in one s home for siding it should not be a cause for panic if the material is still in good shape.

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. How to identify asbestos siding.