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How do I know if my roof shingles are asbestos?

By November 16, 2021Asbestos
How do I know if my roof shingles are asbestos?

The elements have damaged the roof of your old house, and there is a leak in it. You search for contractors and get several bids, and of course, the offers vary widely, but nothing is even remotely cheap. You go with a roofer with a reasonable price, good reviews, and an excellent warranty, except that before he can remove the old roof to replace it with the new one, he will need you to have it tested for asbestos. You were surprised; you didn’t expect roofing material to have asbestos. So how do you know if your roof shingles have asbestos?

The EPA banned asbestos in many products but does allow its use with limitations in some. Some roofing materials like tar paper can still contain asbestos. And some old houses have roof tiles that contain asbestos. The only way to tell if your roof has asbestos is to have it tested.

How to test for asbestos

So you need to show your contractor if your roof has asbestos, but why? Your roofer has a responsibility to protect his employees from danger, and if he doesn’t take the appropriate measure to do so, he can be held liable. But getting a piece of your roof to get it tested for asbestos shouldn’t be very difficult. You have two options: doing it yourself or hiring a professional to do it for you. If you choose to do it yourself, make sure to take safety precautions first. Get a good ladder, wear a half-face respirator with the magenta P100 cartridges and latex gloves. If it is a tile roof, get a hammer and a chisel to break off a piece on the corner of the roof, but not in the center where you may go through the substrate. Place the pieces in a jar.

Asbestos testing lab

Because you won’t have the necessary laboratory equipment to examine the piece, nor the experience, you will need to have an asbestos testing lab analyze the samples for the presence of asbestos.

Asbestos testing lab near me

You can find an asbestos testing lab in your city by looking online. Enter the key phrase “asbestos testing lab near me,” and you will indeed find a willing and able lab to assist you with testing the pieces for the presence, type, and percentage of asbestos.

Asbestos testing near me

Not everyone is equipped or willing to climb a ladder to get on a roof and take a sample. In this case, why don’t you hire a certified and licensed professional to do the work for you? It doesn’t necessarily have to cost an arm and a leg. Look for a professional with an AHERA certification, and you can locate one online or through your local building department’s asbestos program.

Asbestos testing cost

If you’re on a budget and want to get the samples yourself, then take them to an asbestos testing lab for analysis; it will cost you about $26 per sample, and if you hire someone, it can cost about $260 to $300 for their service, which should also include a full report. 5 Microns Inc. offers asbestos testing and inspection services. Call 425-440-8787 Now!