Alternatives for Asbestos Roofing Replacement
Before asbestos regulations, most older homes and commercial and industrial buildings were constructed using asbestos products, particularly at the roof level. Older buildings usually have an asbestos-shingled roof, and due to aging, replacing the roof can be a challenge.
Even if asbestos is a known hazard to human health, causing severe conditions such as asbestosis and lung cancer, asbestos products don't always present an immediate health risk, especially if they're in good condition and without signs of disintegration. However, asbestos-containing materials become harmful when the fibers are disturbed and then inhaled or ingested.
Asbestos roofing shingles were a dream come true for the general homeowner due to their durability and fireproof qualities. Asbestos roofing materials were strong beyond the features of other accessible roofing options, some offering a 30-year warranty. It only added to the asbestos shingle frenzy that, in the 1920s, American manufacturers began incorporating pigments into roofing materials, which resulted in even more popularity.
Medical research continues to show that inhaling asbestos fibers poses a serious risk to human health, and diseases stemming from it don't produce symptoms right away. The long latency period and lack of cure make diseases stemming from asbestos exposure often life-threatening, and it is why no amount of exposure is considered safe. If an asbestos inspection shows the material's presence in your roofing, there are two options to make it secure:
- asbestos removal
- cladding over asbestos
Both options preferably require fully-trained experts to carry it out. However, in circumstances where the risk of exposure is lower, non-licensed asbestos removal can be performed respecting basic OSHA regulations.
Safe Substitutes for Your Asbestos Roof
The most common and widely accepted alternative when replacing asbestos roofing is fiber-cement roofing sheets made of cellulose fibers instead of asbestos. These offer the same safety and durability while maintaining similar functionality to the original asbestos material.
Encapsulating the existing asbestos with a sealant may be a viable temporary solution worthy of discussion with a professional in some cases. However, this solution depends on the condition of the asbestos sheets and the building structure. Some of the other potential replacement materials based on specific needs include:
- metal roofing
- slate tiles
- clay tiles
- cedar shakes
- eco-friendly green roof
- composite shingles
- rubber membrane
Safely Removing Asbestos Cement Sheets Requires Experts
According to EPA classifications, asbestos corrugated sheets are Category II, nonfriable material. Even so, they may degrade over time due to wear and age, becoming friable.
Products deemed friable can crumble when put under various amounts of pressure. It means asbestos cement sheets pose a health risk and must be removed before demolition or renovation work can begin. Damaged sheets are subject to NESHAP regulations and require specialists trained in these regulations for removal and demolition works. You can consult our removal and abatement partners list if planning a roofing replacement or a major overhaul of your building.