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.
How do you know if you have asbestos siding.
You can easily send a sample to a lab is you suspect that it may contain asbestos.
Let the siding dry then prime and paint with the best exterior latex you can find.
If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm.
You can t drive screws and nails through them without pre drilling.
If you are testing fiber cement shingles on an older building for asbestos content be sure that you select for testing one of the older shingles installed before 1978.
Some states offer free testing for residents while others charge a nominal fee of 20 or less for testing services.
Asbestos cement can be dangerous if pulverized by sawing sanding breaking etc.
Else you may miss asbestos containing material on the building.
Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne.
While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding.
They ll take fingernail sized samples and test them in a laboratory.
It is very brittle and has a tendency to crack and break when nailed which can release asbestos fibers into both the air and ground.
So any older building could contain a mix of asbestos and non asbestos cement shingle siding.
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 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.
Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely.
Check the manufacturer and product name on the insulation label and do a web search to find out if it contains asbestos.
Buildings made between the 1940s and the 1980s are very likely to have used asbestos materials.
Look online for a lab near you to have a test performed on your siding and ensure the safety of your home and family.
Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement.
Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but brittle.
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.
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.
Many manufacturers made their products to look like asbestos free products so it is not really possible to determine if your siding contains asbestos just by looks.
Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken.
