How To Tell If Roof Shingles Are Asbestos

The only way to safely know whether the roof tiles contain asbestos or not is to have a sample professionally checked under a microscope that uses polarized light.

How to tell if roof shingles are asbestos. Accordingly if the material contains less than 1 asbestos it is safe and does not require removal. Asbestos shingles were so common during the 20th century that almost any shingles installed between 1920 and 1986 probably include asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was prized for its insulating properties. Determine when the shingles were installed on your roof.

Inside the sheets will be held together by plastic or wooden runners. Asbestos sheets are often fixed together by aluminium runners held on by blunt ended nails. To check the concrete for asbestos look out for thin pieces of it containing small fibres. If asbestos in the roof spreads this will lead to a health hazard making people breath in the cancer causing chemical that can result in lung cancer mesothelioma etc.

Furthermore asbestos roofing produces a higher asbestos concentration than other cement roof sheets. The only way to know for sure whether your roof contains asbestos is to have a sample tested by professionals in a certified laboratory. Look at the joints. Roofing and siding shingles are the most common materials to contain asbestos.

If your roof is constructed in this way then you should also inspect the adhesives that have been used. In fact roofing practices and building materials have changed to be safer and healthier since then. No roofer in their right mind would use asbestos based shingles on any project nor can these types of shingles be produced or sold in the united states. Roofing and siding shingles are among the most common materials to contain asbestos and will readily release fibers into the air if broken.

If you re going to check your garage roof for asbestos take the appropriate safety precautions. If they look old they might have asbestos fibers in them. The result of the test will lead you to the next step. Inspect exterior building materials.

It is only in scientific testing of a sample that determines asbestos in. Manufacturers used it in a variety of building materials such as floor tiles roofing shingles and insulation. Asbestos was also put into cement used on the exterior of buildings to help insulate the. Today we know that frequent exposure to airborne asbestos can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer.

There could even be asbestos contained within the cement of your garage to help improve insulation. Asbestos was used to make several exterior materials. Therefore when deciding to get a sample do so with certain precautions. Wear a face mask gloves and cover any bare.

No roofing company today uses asbestos in shingles.