Originally Posted By: rrazo This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I inspected a house yesterday and the owner stated the siding was slate. They appear to me to be fiber cement, which could contain asbestos. I seen three different pictures submitted from another inspector of asbestos siding and these all have a wavy bottom. The siding I inspected did not have a wavy bottom, are approx 36" long, and appear very brittle. Sorry guys no close up pictures to show. Just looking for thoughts.
Originally Posted By: rjames This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
You can take a sample send it to an environmental lab like emsl, 2 day turn around sound. They test it looking under a polarized microscope using the NIOSH 582 method should nt cost more than $25.00 but it has been awhile since i sent one off
Originally Posted By: aslimack This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Rodney,
The bottom has nothing to do with it. Straight or wavy. Most of the fiber-cement shingles i see are straight bottomed, vertical grooved face. I think one of the other guys said the asbestos content was in the 10% range. Don't hold me to that though. That may have pertained to the 9x9 floor tiles. Don't remember for sure. The shingles are brittle but don't rot. I generally explain the likelyhood that they probably do contain some asbestos but if they are in good condition and due to the fact they are outside, its not a big deal in this respect. The issue is more if residing they are too brittle to side over without busting them to pieces. This is where removal and the additional costs/concerns come into play.
Originally Posted By: kbowles This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Like Adam stated, the siding is available in both wavy and straight edges. Certainly if it is on an older home it is most likely asbestos siding that is doing no harm in its un-disturbed state. The siding can still be bought today in a cement based product made by Fibercem that does not contain asbestos.