Asbestos was a popular material used in homes and buildings before it was banned in 2003 due to its toxic fibres. These fibres can cause lung diseases, including cancer and mesothelioma, which take decades to show symptoms. If your home has an old asbestos roof, you should consider hiring a licensed professional to safely remove it.
A professional team will first spray the whole roof with PVA glue before beginning work – this keeps the fibres together and prevents them from becoming airborne during removal. The team will also wear protective clothing, such as masks, gloves, disposable overalls and eye protection. They will also have a dedicated portable vacuum cleaner that complies with Australian Standards, and is specially designed to suppress dust and asbestos particles.
The next step is to carefully peel back the existing roof Removes asbestos roofs safely in Melbourne and remove the old insulation, tiles and sheeting. The team will take special care not to disturb the underlying structure of the roof, so it is important that you let them know if there are any areas of concern or damage. Once the old roof is removed, it is sprayed again with PVA glue to contain any residual asbestos and then double sealed in builders plastic, before being taken off site for disposal. All waste will be properly labelled and the entire site is thoroughly cleaned to ensure that there are no remaining asbestos fibres in the environment.
Asbestos is a dangerous fibre that poses serious health risks when it is inhaled, and it is best to leave the removal and disposal of your asbestos roof to professionals. If you attempt to do this yourself, you could face severe fines or even jail time.
In addition to the health risks, asbestos is a brittle material that can easily crack or break, leading to leaks and mould. These issues are likely to get worse over time, especially if the roof is exposed to sun, wind and rain.
Ideally, you should remove an asbestos roof as soon as possible, and this is particularly true if it has suffered from any significant damage or is in disrepair. Even if your asbestos roof is still intact, it is important to keep in mind that the health risks will increase with each year that passes.
Asbestos cement sheeting typically contains around 5 – 10% chrysotile white asbestos, which is enough to pose a risk to your health, even when the roof has not been disturbed. It is a good idea to hire licensed asbestos professionals when removing your roof, as there are strict safety standards that must be followed in order to avoid contamination. Licensed professionals can also help you choose an appropriate replacement for your roof, which will not be subject to the same regulations. They will also be able to assist you with disposing of any contaminated materials in accordance with Victorian regulations. They can also give you advice on insulating your new roof to protect it from the elements.