How To Tell If Roof Tiles Are Asbestos

The most common size for asbestos tiles is 9 inches by 9 inches.

How to tell if roof tiles are asbestos.

Asbestos roof tiles were used from the early 1920s all the way in to the late 1980s. Accordingly if the material contains less than 1 asbestos it is safe and does not require removal. The only way to safely know whether the roof tiles contain asbestos or not is to have a sample professionally checked under a microscope that uses polarized light. Older building have a higher probability of containing asbestos building materials.

Asbestos roof tiles are usually square shaped and their colour is generally a combination of grey and black. 9 inch squares 12 inch squares and 18 inch squares. The only way to know for sure whether your roof contains asbestos is to have a sample tested by professionals in a certified laboratory. However asbestos can be a range of colours depending on the material it is mixed with.

The result of the test will lead you to the next step. When asbestos tiles were still in production they came in three sizes. Providing samples for lab check. Asbestos was molded into many different shapes and sizes to fill different needs.

If you re already suspicious about the potential for asbestos measure the tiles to see if they fit one of these three sizes. Each mold has a different location that may be stamped with manufacturer s information. The only way to accurately identify asbestos roof tiles is to have them tested by a ukas accredited laboratory.