Asbestos in Roofing: Safety Measures to Take When Removing an Old Asbestos Roof
Asbestos was widely used in roofing in the past due to its excellent fireproofing properties. The material was also lightweight, durable and resistant to rot, which made it a perfect choice for residential roofing. If you have an old home constructed before the ban on asbestos in 2003, you should be concerned about this hazardous substance in the roofing materials. Before tearing down an old roof, you need to take safety precautions to prevent asbestos from contaminating the air. Below are three crucial steps to take when removing an asbestos roof.
Identify All Hazardous Materials
Before its ban in 2003, asbestos was widely used in various construction products and materials. These include roof sheeting and capping, roofing tiles, soffits, gables, gutters, water pipes and ceilings. Therefore, it's not just your roof tiles that you need to worry about. Before removing an old roof, you should identify other materials that may contain asbestos. Disturbing these materials can release the fibres into the air, exposing the household to health complications.
Therefore, inspect your home, especially the structures attached to the roof, such as the gutters, to determine whether they contain asbestos as well. You need to check the condition of the materials to determine whether the asbestos has become friable. Remove all materials with friable asbestos to prevent the fibres from contaminating the air. A licensed inspector should conduct the inspection exercise to ensure accuracy.
Create an Asbestos Management Plan
Once you have located asbestos in your roofing materials, the next step is to create a management plan. Just because you are removing the old roof doesn't mean you can tear down the asbestos-containing materials. When disturbed, asbestos becomes friable and the fibres can be released into the air. Before tearing down the roof, you need to remove the asbestos-containing materials.
Asbestos removal involves spraying the affected materials to dampen them and minimise the risk of asbestos dust. All materials containing this hazardous substance should be handled carefully and sealed to prevent exposure. Therefore, asbestos removal isn't a DIY task. Work with a professional to ensure proper handling and safe removal of the roofing materials.
Test the Air Quality in Your Home
Asbestos removal projects aren't always free of risk. Some asbestos fibres may escape into your home or collect in the gutters or on the roof frame. Therefore, after the removal, it's crucial to test the air in your home for asbestos fibres. Occupying the house without testing the air can lead to asbestos exposure and associated complications. Therefore, ask your inspector to test the air to ensure the fibres aren't circulating in your home.
Contact an asbestos removal service for more information.