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Wondering if there is asbestos in the roof tiles on your property? Unfortunately, it is quite common, and your property may feature asbestos roofing. In this blog post, we are going to look at how asbestos roof sheets were used in the construction industry, the risks they pose, how you can tell whether your roof has asbestos containing materials and how to deal with it.
If you suspect your property features an asbestos roof, avoid disturbing it in any way and contact our expert team for a survey or sampling today – call 01432 263333.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and has been used for thousands of years. Asbestos was hugely popular as a building material during the 20th century thanks to its heat resistance, insulation capabilities and cost-effectiveness. In many ways, it was an ideal material for construction materials.
However, when asbestos is disturbed, it can release fibres into the air. These can then be inhaled by occupants of the building or area and can lead to often life-threatening health complications. These tend to be decades later as asbestos related diseases are long-latency and can include conditions such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. Because the health risks, asbestos gradually declined in use towards the end of the last century before being outlawed in the UK in 1999.
One of the most prevalent uses of asbestos for construction was as roofing materials. It was frequently combined with other materials such as cement and pressed into roof tiles or corrugated asbestos roof sheets. It is still common to find asbestos garage roofs, for instance, at properties across the UK.
Asbestos roofing was cost-effective, provided great insulation and was easy to install, making it a favourite for builders across the country, especially during the post-war housing boom.
Asbestos containing roofing materials need to be managed for both safety and legal compliance.
Asbestos containing materials in all forms are tightly regulated under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012. The ‘Duty Holder’ is responsible for ensuring that asbestos management procedures are in place. The Duty Holder could be the owners, operators and even tenant of a commercial building.
Safe management of asbestos and adherence to CAR 2012 means that a management survey must be conducted. Following this and any asbestos being identified will be a management plan may need to produced and adhered to and regular reinspection surveys undertaken every 12 months. It also means that asbestos demolition surveys or asbestos refurbishment surveys are required before any major works on the property. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in substantial fines or even prison sentences.
When it comes to identifying asbestos roof sheets, your first port of call is to note when your property was constructed. If it was during the 20th century, prior to 1999, then it is possible that your property features an asbestos roof. Additionally, look out for textured, corrugated or fibrous type roofing materials, as these are also likely (although not always) asbestos.
The only way to tell for certain is to contact an asbestos surveyor to arrange a survey or targeted sampling of the materials. These will involve the collection of samples for lab analysis at an accredited laboratory to analyse the sample under the microscope.
At EMS, we’ve been helping manage asbestos and legal compliance since 2003. We provide asbestos surveys across the UK. We can help you identify and tackle any asbestos in roof tiles or sheets at your property, safeguarding occupants and ensuring you meet legal requirements.
To book your survey today, call us on 01432 263333, email us at info@emsgroupuk.com or fill out our contact form here.
Yes. Methods such as encapsulation involve coating the asbestos in a sealant, reducing the likelihood of fibre release. This can make the roof safer for some time but is still not as permanent as removing the contaminated materials altogether.
You can, but make sure to use specialist paints and coatings and seek professional help. DIY work on asbestos of any kind can be hazardous and in commercial properties could even put you at risk of breaching the CAR legislation.
Asbestos is a dangerous substance and must be disposed of by professionals with an appropriate waste carriers license. It must be taken to specialised facilities where it will be disposed of safely.
Yes, provided they were installed before the asbestos ban in 1999, it is legal to have asbestos roofs in the UK. However, commercial premises, must be routinely inspected and properly managed in accordance with the CAR legislation.
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