Asbestos was a very common building material prior to the 1980s throughout Australia. Unfortunately, it has proven to be a very dangerous if exposed to the open air. It can cause lung cancer as well as other ailments. As a result, asbestos is now a banned material that is not allowed as a building material for new roofs today.

If you have an older home, removing any traces of asbestos should be a priority. It’s very important to remove the asbestos before an event might occur that could release the asbestos. To ensure that you completely remove asbestos from your home, follow these tips.

KNOW WHAT TYPE OF ASBESTOS IS IN YOUR ROOF

BONDED ASBESTOS:

Bonded asbestos is made by bonding asbestos with another material, such as cement. These types of materials have a lower content of asbestos, normally around 15%. While they still present a risk, bonded asbestos is tougher than friable asbestos, because the bonding compound is normally quite durable.

Regardless, if the bonded asbestos weathers badly or is damaged, the asbestos can be released into the air. If anyone inhales airborne asbestos, then it will settle in the longs and can cause a variety of long-term health problems.

FRIABLE ASBESTOS:

Friable materials are general quite soft and loose. They can be crumbled into fine material or dust with very light pressure, even just in your hand.

Think of very old wood affected with dry rot that you can literally tear apart with your fingers. These types of asbestos materials have very high contents of the hazardous substance. In some instances, asbestos can represent 100% of the substance.

In addition, because of their fragile nature they are far more dangerous because it is much easier for the asbestos to go airborne.

FIND OUT WHERE THE ASBESTOS IS LOCATED

HIDDEN INSIDE YOUR ROOFING MATERIALS

The vast majority of roofing products that contain asbestos are old cement tiles. These are bonded asbestos materials, meaning that the content of asbestos is relatively low. The problem is that roofing tiles are constantly exposed to weather, which can make them erode. In addition, roofing tiles are fragile and can break easily.

HIDDEN INSIDE YOUR SHINGLES & SIDING

Shingles and siding can potentially contain more bonded asbestos. Remember, metal roofing is made from steel and does not contain asbestos. Also, if a bonded compound becomes damaged enough it will become friable. This includes badly weathered or otherwise deteriorated.

HIDDEN INSIDE YOUR INSULATION

Insulation, often found in the crawlspace between your ceilings and your roof, was a primary use for friable asbestos prior to its ban. If there is any damage to your roof, because of a storm or leak, asbestos insulation can contaminate your home and even the surrounding homes. If you suspect that your insulation may contain asbestos, contact a certified asbestos removal service immediately. Do not attempt to remove the materials on your own.

REMOVE YOUR ASBESTOS THE CERTIFIED WAY

If you’re looking for an asbestos removal service with a reputation for quality, dedication, and great customer focus, then Certified Roofing is your answer. We have helped homeowners and business owners with asbestos removal, roofing repairs, and more throughout Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Contact our team today on (07) 3823 6888 for more information on how we can help you with your roof.