Asbestos on the roof: detecting hazards and seeking professional help

Asbestos on the roof: detecting the risks and seeking professional help

Roofing materials containing asbestos were a very common choice in Switzerland until 1989. Thanks to its impressive durability and fire resistance, this mineral was widely used in a variety of roofing slates.

Today, with the discovery of the very dangerous health effects of exposure to asbestos, its presence in homes and businesses is no longer desired, and the need to remove asbestos has sometimes become a necessity.

However, the main problem is identifying roofs containing asbestos, as tiles have been manufactured in a variety of shapes and colours, and each type has its own particularities.

In this article, we’ll look at the risks associated with asbestos in roofs, how to identify it and, above all, how to have it removed by experienced professionals.

Understanding the risks of asbestos in roofing

Asbestos is a generic term for a group of minerals that includes chrysotile, tremolite/actinolite, crocidolite, anthophyllite and amosite.

In Switzerland, statistics show that asbestos is responsible for the deaths of more than 120 people every year. That’s why, as a business owner or property manager, your top priority must be to ensure the safety of your staff, visitors and customers at all times.

The inhalation of asbestos fibers has been linked to four asbestos-related diseases, all of which can be fatal. Diseases caused by asbestos take time to develop. They generally appear at least 10 years after exposure, and sometimes up to 50 years later. There is currently no 100% cure for these diseases:

Pleural plaques
Asbestosis
Mesothelioma
Lung cancer

Current scientific and medical evidence confirms that simply living or working in a building containing asbestos is not dangerous as long as the asbestos containing material is in good condition (i.e. undamaged).

It is when the asbestos containing material is disturbed and asbestos fibers are released that the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease increases.

In other words, asbestos only presents a health risk when asbestos fibers are suspended in the air and inhaled into the lungs. Most fibers are eliminated from the lungs by the body’s natural defenses (e.g. coughing), but some fibers can remain in the lungs.

Although there is no absolutely safe level of exposure to asbestos fibers, the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease increases considerably with the number of fibers a person breathes in during their lifetime.

For all these reasons, it is very important to protect yourself from asbestos and to have asbestos in roofs identified by professionals.

Remember, never remove asbestos containing materials yourself! Working with asbestos requires a very specific procedure and special equipment.

Identifying asbestos in roofs

How do you recognize asbestos? When mixed with other materials, asbestos can be difficult to detect, but in its normal form it comes in blue, brown and white. Asbestos is most dangerous when the fibers are disturbed and become airborne through the use of a drill or cutting equipment, so if in doubt, always avoid handling it.

Airborne asbestos has no particular smell, is difficult to spot, and the effects of inhaling it will not become apparent for many years. In other words, learning to identify asbestos on your roof could save your life in the long run.

Before undertaking any refurbishment, renovation or demolition work, it’s vital to check your premises for asbestos. Don’t forget that asbestos has only been completely eradicated from Swiss construction practices since 1990. That’s why we strongly recommend that you have a professional asbestos inspection and test before you buy.

An asbestos treatment procedure for your roof includes :

Initial consultation: the inspection begins by understanding the history of your building. This helps determine the need for asbestos testing. On our “SOS Asbestos” website, we can connect you with experienced professionals.
Planning and preparation: Once the need for asbestos testing is established, the asbestos diagnosis company plans the inspection process. This involves assessing the areas to be tested, the type of materials present and setting up the necessary safety measures. If you don’t want to call in a professional right away, you can also use our “SOS Asbestos” website to take a photo of an situation in your home and complete a form so that we can determine whether further investigation is necessary.
Sampling: Using protective equipment and specialized tools, qualified professionals take samples from the materials identified. They pay particular attention to minimizing disturbance to the materials to avoid releasing asbestos fibers into the air. On our “SOS Asbestos” website, we offer a do-it-yourself sampling alternative if you have any doubts about the presence of asbestos in a particular material. You can take the sample yourself and we will analyze it in our laboratories.
Sample analysis : The samples taken are then carefully sealed and sent to an experienced asbestos analysis laboratory. The laboratory uses specific procedures to analyze the samples to determine their asbestos content.
Report writing: Following the analysis, professional technicians write a full report detailing the laboratory’s findings, including the type and concentration of asbestos found. This report also contains recommendations for managing the asbestos identified on your roof. If you carry out a do-it-yourself test via our “SOS Asbestos” website, our laboratories will provide you with a detailed report.
Asbestos management plan : If necessary, the professional diagnostic company will help you develop and implement an asbestos management plan, which includes risk control measures, periodic reassessment, and procedures for future work or disturbance.

When should you seek professional help?

As soon as you notice the potential presence of asbestos on your roof, professional help becomes a priority. They offer a comprehensive procedure for safely removing samples from your roof.

Areas affected by the sampling of materials are then secured and protected from the weather to avoid any further disruption to your business or home. Despite the dangers associated with the discovery of asbestos, there is no cause for alarm, provided it is dealt with correctly and professionally.

Guaranteeing the health, safety and well-being of everyone who comes into contact with your working environment or home should, of course, remain a major concern.

For asbestos roofing systems that are in particularly poor condition due to the high level of fibers exposed, asbestos removal is always the preferred method for eradicating any long-term problems. Protecting yourself from asbestos is a priority health issue.

Removing asbestos and renovating in complete safety

Asbestos poses serious risks of health complications, but fortunately it is possible to remove it and renovate a roof in complete safety.

To remove asbestos, there is a strict procedure to follow. If you hire professionals for an asbestos treatment, they will probably come to your home wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). This may include disposable protective coveralls with hoods, boots without laces (laces can be difficult to decontaminate, so asbestos removal professionals don’t usually wear them) and respiratory protection.

Before proceeding with the asbestos removal, they will work to protect any non-asbestos surface from contamination by wrapping it in polyethylene sheets, secured with adhesive tape.

They will then begin to remove asbestos. It is also advisable to disturb the asbestos as little as possible to reduce the amount of dust and carcinogenic fibers that the material releases. To minimize this risk, the asbestos sheet is lowered to the ground rather than thrown away.

The asbestos material and all fasteners, bolts and other fixings are then placed in an asbestos waste bag clearly labelled with a warning sticker. In some cases, they may first be wrapped in polythene sheets and sealed with tape before being placed in the waste bag.

Once the work is complete, the contractor will remove all traces of asbestos tile from your roof so that it can be completely renovated. He will also ensure that all residues have been swept up and removed for safe disposal.