How To Tell If Its Asbestos Siding

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.

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. Asbestos is actually safe unless inhaled. Asbestos cement was not only commonly used. Asbestos was also put into cement used on the exterior of buildings to help insulate the.

Most older cement board products contain asbestos. When used as a siding asbestos fibers were mixed with portland cement and pressed together to form what we know as asbestos siding. While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding. It was a recommended siding material from the 1940s to the 1960s thanks to its fireproof nature.

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. The issue here is asbestos and the risks of serious lung diseases it can cause. Pros and cons of asbestos cement siding the presence of asbestos cement siding should not necessarily be viewed as a serious problem. Asbestos was used to make several exterior materials.

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. If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm. Roofing and siding shingles are among the most common materials to contain asbestos and will readily release fibers into the air if broken. Even a single airborne fiber of the most dangerous types of asbestos can eventually cause a particular form of lung cancer if inhaled.

Asbestos is found in a wide range of products and materials and was also used in its pure form. Asbestos products and their history and use in various building materials such as asphalt and vinyl flooring includes discussion which draws on asbestos its industrial applications d v. This type of siding was manufactured up to the late 70 s until it was deemed to be a health risk. Rosato engineering consultant newton ma reinhold publishing 1959 library of congress catalog card no.

59 12535 out of print. The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar. Whilst asbestos containing products can be difficult to identify from visual inspection alone we have put together some helpful guidance to help you understand what it may look like in different materials and locations around the home. It s pretty serious but according to health canada one of the world s leading sources of unbiased information on the subject if.

Testing your siding for asbestos. If your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested.