Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne.
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.
Put on a mask and scrape away some siding material into a baggie.
The date of the building or material can also tell you a lot about asbestos risk.
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.
You may choose to take a sample of siding from a damaged area of siding.
Fiber cement siding identification photos markings.
The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough.
The issue here is asbestos and the risks of serious lung diseases it can cause.
Even a single airborne fiber of the most dangerous types of asbestos can eventually cause a particular form of lung cancer if inhaled.
And make no mistake asbestos is dangerous.
Asbestos is actually safe unless inhaled.
Check the manufacturer and product name on the insulation label and do a web search to find out if it contains asbestos.
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.
Testing your siding for asbestos if your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested.
Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken.
The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar.
When used as a siding asbestos fibers were mixed with portland cement and pressed together to form what we know as asbestos siding.
If your siding has these characteristics then asbestos could be present.
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.
They can make educated guesses and may often be proven right but the only way to be sure is to have a sample of your siding tested for asbestos.
Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc.
Asbestos was particularly prevalent in siding that resembles shingles or was made to look like wood grain.
Buildings made between the 1940s and the 1980s are very likely to have used asbestos materials.
Here we explain how to identify the manufacturer brand or type of fiber cement siding installed on a building.
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.
This type of siding was manufactured up to the late 70 s until it was deemed to be a health risk.
It s pretty serious but according to health canada one of the world s leading sources of unbiased information on the subject if.
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.
