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.
How to determine iof siding is abestos or not.
They ll take fingernail sized samples and test them in a laboratory.
Look specifically for any printed information that identifies the siding manufacturer or date of installation.
It does have some characteristics too look for.
Also look around the siding roofing and soffit materials for small dimples or shallow craters on the surface which are signs of asbestos.
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.
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.
Most siding created after the 1960s did not include asbestos.
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.
The only reliable way to know if your home contains asbestos is to hire an environmental consulting firm or asbestos building inspector for asbestos testing.
Determine the age of your home by looking at the property deed or any other records about its construction.
The siding may also contain asbestos if it is old with a wood grain texture to resemble cedar.
Generally it requires either a lab test or inspection by a pro to determine if asbestos is present or not.
How to identify asbestos siding.
To determine if your building has asbestos check areas where the material was most commonly used like the roof bathroom and basement.
They then send the samples to a qualified laboratory to test and determine whether they contain asbestos.
The only true way to identify asbestos siding is to have it tested.
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 only way to be sure whether your siding contains asbestos is to have it tested.
The asbestos network recommends bringing in a professional to collect samples.
