Asbestos cement sheets were common in garage roofing during the 1960s and 1970s. Customers were provided several advantages, including durability, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness, and their ability to separate as well as create weather- and fire-resistant roofs. These roofing sheets are a mixture of cement and between 10%-15% asbestos fibres, typically of the white type known as chrysotile. Asbestos can be installed in gutters, felt, panels, or the entire roof.
It was in 1999 that the government banned the use of asbestos in new construction. First, the white asbestos known as chrysotile was banned followed by the blue and brown asbestos sheets.
Asbestos is no longer used in the UK because it is thought to be so dangerous to human health due to its lethal nature that causes fatal diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
But due to its popularity in the past, asbestos is frequently found in garage roofs of most of the properties built before 1999. This can be analysed by surveying your garage roof. If you find long settled asbestos sheet on your garage roof, then you can consider any two of the options,
- Encapsulate
- Replace
Reading guide
Replace
If your garage roof appears worn or is damaged in any way, it is advised to get it replaced than repair it. Apart from being damaged, with frequent wear and tear it can also break into fragments which can be hazardous for the health as well.
If the roof over your garage has started leaking, you should think about replacing an asbestos garage roof and installing a new, safer roof that is even more modern and latest in the market.
Read also: How to Choose the Right Materials for Your Kitchen Remodel
Encapsulate
An asbestos garage roof might sometimes be better encapsulated than removed. A professional asbestos contractor would be appropriate to consult on the best option in each situation, but the final call should be yours. Encapsulation is the process of sealing items that contain asbestos so that the sealant will enclose or bed the asbestos fibres and prevent their escape.
- A penetrating encapsulant will access the material and bind all the components together.
- A bridging encapsulant will create a membrane on the surface area.
Asbestos encapsulation should be ideally considered when the asbestos-containing materials are extremely hazardous to touch or remove. It is also advised when encapsulating rather than removing the roof is more feasible due to the severity of the damage or the location of the roof’s degradation.
The quantity and type of asbestos present an impact on the choice made by the garage owner and asbestos removal company. The choice can also be influenced by location and accessibility.
Types of Encapsulation Systems
1. Fibreglass
In fibreglass encapsulation, the resin in a liquid state easily penetrates the pores, cracks, and tiny holes in the roof’s surface. As it cures or hardens, it becomes a part of the asbestos roofing framework.
To provide structural support for the asbestos roofing framework, a fibreglass mat is dipped in resin and used as a backbone. This fibreglass last at least 30 years.
2. Single Ply
Single ply is simply pasted to the roof using glue when recreating a flat roof, but this method ultimately runs the risk of peeling off over time. These types of bonds are mainly superficial and don’t access the asbestos structure in the way that glass fibre resins do.
DIY or Asbestos Removal Company?
Asbestos roof removal or encapsulation must be done with extreme caution and adhering to stringent guidelines. Before beginning the actual job, several preparations are done. A trained removal professional will be wearing protective gear to cover all areas. Barriers will be set up to seclude the area to keep people from approaching or entering the location where the work will be done.
Maintaining high moisture levels is crucial during the asbestos removal process to minimize the amount of dust discharged into the air, which contains asbestos fibres. For this reason, sprayers are used in the process, of dispensing a special liquid. Along with asbestos waste extra debris is gathered and properly disposed of. After that, the entire area is properly cleaned.
If you’re a DIY freak, you might be used to performing some household tasks and fixing yourself, to save a few pounds. However, you should rethink if the garage roof is made of asbestos. Even though asbestos garage roofs may not contain a significant amount of asbestos fibres, the work is hazardous and has obvious health risks.
An experienced and certified asbestos removal professional can handle the asbestos disposal as they will have the tools and expertise to remove and dispose of the material securely. You should also be concerned about the fact that asbestos removal and disposal must adhere to some stringent rules. These are meant to protect our health and stop any contamination.
Hence, it is preferable to leave the work in the hands of a qualified, certified asbestos contractor. Let them analyse and decide whether the garage roof needs to be replaced or encapsulated.
