Asbestos Roof Coating
Asbestos roof coating is something that should only be undertaken by qualified professionals as there are many health and safety guidelines regarding working with asbestos. Asbestos roof encapsulation or asbestos roof coating, is the process where a protective coating is applied to a roof containing asbestos fibres. Once the asbestos roof has been cleaned and the asbestos roof coating applied, it helps to prevent the release of potentially harmful asbestos fibres into the air. The primary aim of having an asbestos roof coating applied is to reduce the risk of asbestos exposure and to prolong the life of the roofing material. Asbestos roof cleaning and having an asbestos roof coated can help prevent the need to replace the roof, which can be very expensive. For peace of mind, it is always recommended that any asbestos encapsulation on a roof is undertaken by qualified professionals as the whole process requires strict adherence to safety regulations.
An asbestos roof is any type of roofing material which contains asbestos fibres. Many years ago asbestos roofs were frequently utilised because of their heat resistance properties and durability. Unfortunately, However, asbestos roofing has long carried significant health and environmental risks, especially ones that were installed in the 60s & 70s. As these potentially harmful roofing materials have aged and deteriorated due to excess weathering, they have released small asbestos fibres into the air, which has led to serious health issues for many people across the UK, such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and various types of mesothelioma. It is because of these the significant environmental hazards associated with asbestos roofs, that any removal, coating and encapsulation, or ongoing maintenance, is undertaken with the utmost care.
Historically in the UK, the lifespan of an asbestos or fibre cement roof is around 30 to 40 years. It follows that many of these old asbestos roofs are nearing or are at the end of their expected life, and are starting to deteriorate. The good news is that we can provide asbestos roof cleaning and asbestos roof coating solutions that can alleviate any issues relating to asbestos surface deterioration and help resolve them. We have several services to offer including the repair and coating of asbestos roofs that are starting to show signs of degradation.
THE BENEFITS OF HAVING AN ASBESTOS ROOF CLEANED & COATED
- Prevents the release of potentially harmful asbestos fibres
- Helps stop water ingress on porous asbestos roof tiles
- Slows down the growth of unsightly moss, lichen and algae
- Minimal disruption compared to having a new roof
- Makes old asbestos roofs look like new
- Saves money compared to the expensive replacement of a roof
How we carry out Asbestos Roof Coating
STAGE 1 - ASBESTOS ROOF CLEANING
Pressure washing is not an option when it comes to cleaning asbestos roof tiles as this can lead to all sorts of safety and environmental issues. with this in mind, we take a safety-first approach and apply Smartseal Green Clear, using low-pressure pump sprayer. This powerful biocide is applied to kill off any moss and algae that may be present. It normally takes 4-5 days to take full effect so a return visit within this timeframe is necessary once the moss-killing biocide has been applied to the asbestos roof.
If the moss is particularly heavy, our qualified technicians, wearing the appropriate PPE, will remove any moss clumps by hand and then fill the relevant compliant bags that are legally required when removing moss from asbestos roofs. To avoid any health or safety issues the moss is 'double-bagged' and tightly sealed and clearly labelled as asbestos bags.
PLEASE NOTE: Any waste containing more than 0.1 per cent asbestos is classed as hazardous, so after any asbestos roof cleaning and asbestos coating project has been completed, it is carefully taken from site and disposed of at an approved hazardous waste disposal site.
STAGE 2 - APPLYING AN ASBESTOS COATING PRIMER
In line with strict adherence to any health and safety regulations and prior to carrying out any asbestos roof coating, we will always apply an asbestos coating primer. The primer for asbestos will consolidate and stabilise any loose asbestos fibres that may be present on the surface of the roof. It is usually applied by a low-pressure pump sprayer and is also essential to ensure any asbestos roof coating that is applied, adheres strongly to the surface.
STAGE 3 - APPLYING THE ASBESTOS COATING
The final stage is the application of the asbestos roof coating which can dramatically transform the look and appearance of an old asbestos roof. The asbestos coating comes in a range of popular colours and is normally applied by an airless sprayer once the roof is clean and dry.
It is important to point out that colour coating an asbestos roof is a very specialised process and most roof cleaning companies are not qualified to carry out such work. When one of our contractors undertakes any asbestos roof coating project they ensure there is full compliance with any safety regulations surrounding working with asbestos.
The asbestos roof coating can make an old asbestos roof look brand new. It will also make the roof water resistant and extend its lifespan. A roof that may have been nearing its 'sell by date' can, with a small investment have a significant life extension.
Ask for a FREE quote for asbestos roof cleaning and coating by calling 0800 849 9498 or completing our online enquiry form.
