Asbestos Roof Removal: How To Do It Successfully

Since the late 70s, asbestos for roofing of buildings has been banned in most areas around the globe. Asbestos Containing Materials used as roofing for buildings poses a very serious risk to occupants of the building and those living nearby. ACMs should always be handled with a lot of care to avoid chipping off which may further cause fibres to become airborne.

Successful asbestos removal requires the following steps:

1. Phase: Pre-Assessing And Analyzing The Roof Material

This step involves roof assessment which helps identify the asbestos type present. There are two types of asbestos: friable and non-friable.

The friable type has loose fibres which become airborne when disturbed. These fibres cause harmful illnesses such as lung cancer, when inhaled. In non-friable varieties, fibres are stacked together which means: unless they are disturbed, they do not become airborne. They are less harmful to the environment. Asbestos becomes harmful when inhaled or swallowed.

Samples are collected at this stage and taken to the laboratory for an in-depth investigation. A detailed report is then drafted to show how the removal process will take place. The report is handed over to the owner of the building who will hire a removal contractor to do the job.

2. Phase: What Happens During The Removal Process?

At this stage, the building owner has already decided on the removal contractor to work with. The hired contractor arrives at the site along with a team to start working.

Everyone working at the site needs to put on appropriate protective gear as this task is dangerous. This is recommended by the Safe Work Australia Code of Practice. Protective gear to be used includes a pair of gloves, a hat, an overall and most importantly, a respiratory mask.

Workers ensure the area is barricaded and people in neighbouring buildings are informed about the job that's going on. The roof is dampened throughout this process to reduce chances of loose fibres becoming airborne. Furthermore, the roofing material is removed systematically, one part after the other.

Gutters of the affected roof should be carefully handled because this is where fibres tend to settle. Popcorn ceilings contain asbestos, making it unsafe for non-experts to carry out the removal. It's recommended that you hire a licensed removal expert to do the job for you. This ensures that the ACMs are completely removed and keeps you safe from asbestos fibres.

3. Phase: Proper Disposal Of Toxic Waste

After the asbestos roof has been removed, the contractor needs to dispose of ACMs correctly. Debris from the roof is placed in sealable plastic bags. These bags should be clearly labelled as asbestos waste and disposed in areas designated only for such waste. The site should also be cleaned thoroughly.

Just like any type of removal involving this harmful substance, asbestos roof removal requires the attention of an expert. Carrying out the job on your own might make the situation worse. A professional follows all the steps correctly and the end result is always satisfactory.

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