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.
How to tell if it s asbestos siding.
Actually what he said he mentioned lap board is what he said.
In a house that was built in that era if it did have asbestos it would most likely be an asbestos tile.
That s called a cement asbestos tile because the asbestos is inside of a cement binder.
Efflorescence chalking can commonly be seen on asbestos siding.
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.
Even a single airborne fiber of the most dangerous types of asbestos can eventually cause a particular form of lung cancer if inhaled.
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 s pretty serious but according to health canada one of the world s leading sources of unbiased information on the subject if.
Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne.
To determine if your building has asbestos check areas where the material was most commonly used like the roof bathroom and basement.
The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar.
If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm.
The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough.
You may choose to take a sample of siding from a damaged area of siding.
If your house was built around or prior to the late 70 s has the original siding and seems to be made of cement it is probably asbestos siding.
Testing your siding for asbestos if your siding fits either of these descriptions you should consider having it tested.
Asbestos was particularly prevalent in siding that resembles shingles or was made to look like wood grain.
The issue here is asbestos and the risks of serious lung diseases it can cause.
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.
Also look around the siding roofing and soffit materials for small dimples or shallow craters on the surface which are signs of asbestos.
If your siding has these characteristics then asbestos could be present.
While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding.
Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken.
And make no mistake asbestos is dangerous.
Put on a mask and scrape away some siding material into a baggie.
