Important Steps To Successful Asbestos Roof Removal

Asbestos is a building material that was used in the past for roofing in both commercial and residential buildings. In Australia, people living in the old buildings, which have been constructed using any material containing asbestos, are currently working on removing the asbestos.

Asbestos materials that are present on the roof of any building pose a very high risk to both the external environment and residents around the area. Asbestos mixed with cement may chip off the roof and fall off the ceiling. The chips may then fall on surfaces inside the house thus creating a health hazard to the residents.

Asbestos roof removal, just like any other type of asbestos removal, needs to be done under rules and regulations according to The Queensland Code of Practice (2011). These regulations require that any type of removal, whether large or small, should be undertaken by a licensed contractor. This is because a licensed contractor will adhere to all rules and regulations on handling the substance.

Below are the steps to follow in removing roof asbestos:

Step 1: Pre-Assessing the Roof and Analysing the Material

At this stage, the roof is assessed to identify the type of material present. On one hand, friable asbestos breaks down into dust particles which float in the air. When these particles are inhaled, they accumulate in the respiratory system thus causing mesothelioma. On the other hand, non-friable asbestos is bonded and this makes it less harmful to the environment. Real danger arises when particles are inhaled or swallowed.

The gutter should be handled with utmost care because a lot of particles settle there. Some ceilings, like the popcorn ceiling, are most likely to contain asbestos. It's risky for anyone without a license to remove asbestos from the roof. Hiring a class A license holder is recommended for such a job, because such a contractor can handle more than 10 square meters of an area with either friable or non-friable asbestos.

Work Safe British Columbia requires that samples from the site are collected and taken to the lab for further inspection. A report is prepared giving details of the tasks that will take place during the removal. The report is then given to the home owner who will hire a licensed contractor to perform the asbestos removal task.

Step 2: Asbestos Removal

The hired contractor, together with his workers, reports to the site and starts the process of removing asbestos from the roof of the building.

As per the Safe Work Australia Code of Practice, anyone handling asbestos should have their protective gear. Overall, respiratory gear and gloves should be worn throughout the removal process. The site should also be cordoned off to keep people away from the area.

The roof is kept wet to bind the loose particles together. It's then cut out, one section after another.

Step 3: Disposal

The debris collected from the site should be placed in sealed bags and labelled clearly. The waste is then disposed off in areas meant for asbestos debris disposal.

All these steps should be carried out by a professional to avoid damage of the property.

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