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Asbestos Roof Repair
Introduction to Asbestos Roof Repair
Asbestos was used extensively in the past as a fire resistant roofing material. Besides that, its fibrous and mineral state recommended it as a great material for insulating, adding strength and increasing durability in the case of rooftops. In present times, due to the severity of the health problems caused by asbestos fibres when released into the air, asbestos is not used anymore as a roof material, and must be adequately removed if the situation demands it.
Determining the State of Asbestos in Asbestos Roof Repair
If you know your rooftop contains asbestos, you’ve got to determine whether this material is a threat to people’s health or not. As long as your asbestos siding or your roofing shingles are in a great condition and have not been disturbed at all, then it is best to leave them be as the mere presence of asbestos in a building is not hazardous. Asbestos becomes dangerous if the material receives damage and its fibres get released into the air. If that happens, the asbestos particles go airborne and may be breathed in by people who are in its proximity.
Asbestos Roof Repair
An asbestos roof cannot be repaired by doing actions that would damage the material and release its fibres into the air. The repair process can only involve sealing or covering of the asbestos material.
Sealing, also known as encapsulation, is a procedure in which the asbestos fibres are prevented to go airborne by applying either a sealant agent or a coating substance over them. This procedure like any other that involves dealing with asbestos directly should be done by a trained professional only.
Covering or enclosing asbestos is a method that involves covering the asbestos with a protective layer to eliminate the hazardous risk associated with the presence of asbestos. Now, if a homeowner has asbestos shingles on the top if his building, he should leave those alone and cater only for the aluminium siding. To do this, the shingles must be first covered with polystyrene-foam insulation panels.
Whether an asbestos roof requires major or minor repairs, the best person to handle the problem remains an experienced specialist. Doing even minor procedures yourself is risky since you may handle the asbestos materials in an improper way, causing a health hazard where there was none before. If you do decide to handle the problems of your roof yourself, you need to gather as much information as possible regarding the problem you’re dealing with. As a general rule of thumb, as long as the damaged area is larger than the size of your hand, then the problem you’re facing is not minor and you should contact a professional to tend to the matter immediately.
If you require a complete renovation of the rooftop area, the asbestos roof repair must be tackled by a contractor with experience in handling asbestos-containing materials. Replacing an asbestos roof is an extreme measure however therefore you should discuss the possibility of a scheduled replacement in case certain parts of the roof do get porous.
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