In order to identify asbestos and know what asbestos looks like we need to understand the mineral.
Identifying asbestos what does asbestos siding look like.
Look for a siding that is made to look like roof shingles.
Floor tiles and carpet underlay.
Occasionally carpet underlay is found to contain asbestos.
Compare the newer siding to older siding areas and look for evidence that indicates age.
These products use asbestos with a binder of portland cement.
This could be an experienced contractor or someone like a building inspector.
Below is an examples of plaster containing asbestos which looks much like non asbestos plaster.
Serpentine asbestos is made up of curly fibres within sheets of crystals.
It is generally very brittle and the back may be black and have the appearance of tar paper.
Unfortunately asbestos siding was originally designed to mimic many different types of materials.
Asbestos siding usually looks a lot like roof shingles.
Asbestos was particularly prevalent in siding that resembles shingles or was made to look like wood grain.
Recognizing siding with asbestos asbestos siding was manufactured to resemble many different materials so it doesn t always look the same.
Step 3 look for asbestos cement shingles a mixture of asbestos fibers and cement or asbestos cement corrugated roofing which is thicker and more often found on old sheds barns and low income housing.
The front may have a grainy sandy texture.
The term asbestos actually refers to six unique minerals divided into two family groups serpentine and amphibole.
You may choose to take a sample of siding from a damaged area of siding.
Asbestos roofing mastics often contained asbestos fibers and asbestos was a major ingredient in cement asbestos slate look alike products or roof tiles or cement asbestos roof shingles.
If you need to be sure bring in a consultant that is uniquely qualified to identify asbestos.
Look for siding that looks like roof shingles.
The front appears with a grainy sandy like texture.
This includes vinyl floor tiling and floor tile fixing glue.
Asbestos siding was manufactured to resemble many materials so it won t always look the same.
It is usually brittle and the back may be black and have the appearance of tar paper.
Consult someone experienced in identifying asbestos.
Roofing adhesives roofing felt and base flashing also might include asbestos.
It is very brittle and has a black tar paper like backing.
Asbestos drywall was more prevalent in commercial buildings.
It can be extremely difficult to identify asbestos in plaster and plasterboard without laboratory testing.
That said if your house was renovated prior to 1980 the drywall edging or texture compound might contain asbestos.
These contacts can be found on the internet.
