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Reroofing With An Asbestos Roof

Asbestos has been banned in Australia since 2003 because of its dangerous fibrous properties. As a result, homeowners who have an asbestos roof may wish to replace this with a more suitable material.

You should only consider licensed professionals when replacing an asbestos roof, as there are strict standards that must be adhered to during this process.

REMOVING ASBESTOS

If you intend to reroof your asbestos roof and you are removing the old roof, you should ensure that it is done safely.

Asbestos removal is not just as simple as taking off an old roof and replacing it with a newer one. It’s a complex process that involves special tools and protective clothing to prevent any dust from escaping into the atmosphere.

The reason why this material is so dangerous is that when it gets cut, drilled or damaged, it releases tiny fibres into the air which can cause serious health problems like chronic respiratory diseases such as asbestosis, even if inhaled in small quantities.

IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

It is essential for workers to wear protective clothing when removing asbestos. It is not only important to protect your hands, but also your feet and face.

You can find many different kinds of protective clothing available. They’re designed in a way that they will provide protection against asbestos fibres that are airborne during the removal process. Some of the most common types of clothing include safety glasses, masks with HEPA air filters, respirators, coveralls and gloves with rubber palms.

ASBESTOS REMOVAL PRECAUTIONS

The most important thing to remember when your asbestos roofing is being reroofed is that asbestos has the potential to be very dangerous. Asbestos removal precautions include:

Cleaning up any dust and debris as you go along
Wipe down before start and regularly during work
Wet down and double seal all waste in plastic bags before taking it off-site for disposal.
Wear disposable overalls, gloves, eye protection and respirators at all times.
Don’t use power tools to cut asbestos sheeting or remove it from your roof—this will cause fibres to be released into the air and increase your risk of contracting asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma (a type of cancer).
Use manual hand tools instead such as a hand saw, hand powered drill etc.

GET AN ASBESTOS INSPECTION CARRIED OUT

You must always have an asbestos inspection carried out before performing any reroofing work. It is illegal to replace an asbestos roof if you have not had a licensed contractor remove the asbestos first. There are many different types of fibrous cement sheeting, and it is impossible to tell whether they contain asbestos just by looking at them. Asbestos roofs can be found in older fibro houses and buildings throughout Australia, so it’s important to know whether they are present on your roof or not before getting started with reroofing work.

CHOOSING ROOFING CONTRACTORS TO MANAGE ASBESTOS RE-ROOFING

Asbestos can only be removed by professionals who are trained in removing bonded asbestos materials. The levels of protection required when handling bonded asbestos materials are set out in detail in the Asbestos Code of Practice 2005; however, you cannot remove any bonded material yourself due to safety risks involved with exposure to airborne fibres and debris during removal processes. It is important that you leave this work to experienced professionals like ourselves who know how to follow safe procedures and remove your roof safely.