Points to Note on Asbestos Removal for Roofing and Siding

Home & Garden Blog

If your home's roofing was done any time before 1980 then there is a high chance it was made using asbestos. Back then, asbestos fibers were added to roofing and siding materials during production to make them more durable and provide some insulation for prevention of fires.

To be sure your roofing or siding contains asbestos, have it tested by certified public or private inspectors. You could check the packages in which the material came as well. Another alternative is to contact the manufacturer to inquire.

Getting Rid of Asbestos

Because in perfect condition asbestos siding or roofing poses no hazard, asbestos removal may seem like an option to be thought about later. Cement and asphalt roofing or siding containing asbestos is generally non-friable and therefore not hazardous. Something friable can be easily broken by hand pressure.

However, water, aging, heat and weathering tend to weaken non-friable materials to the point of being friable. Friable materials are hazardous because of the possibility of releasing asbestos fibers to the atmosphere. Once airborne, these fibers can potentially cause lung diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma.

This is why you should avoid sanding, breaking, sawing, cutting or drilling friable materials. It is advisable to call a contractor to handle the removal of asbestos roofing or siding for your house because they will take precautions to prevent exposure.

Precautions

If planning to remodel or make major changes to the house, you may have to consider removal as opposed to repairing the siding and roofing.  Professional contractors will

  • Use proper equipment as the job necessitates and that includes wearing of respirators, gloves as well as other protective clothing.
  • Have a specific work plan on how they will clean up and dispose of the asbestos according to the relevant rules and regulations.
  • Advise against movements by outsiders as this will lead to spreading of asbestos dust to sections outside the work area. This includes pets.
  • Prefer working on asbestos when it is wet, for example, during the rainy season. If not, then a wetting agent is applied using a sprayer to create a layer of mist for easier removal and clean up.
  • Will avoid breaking the removed material from the roofing and siding into small pieces.
  • Clean up upon completion, either by gathering everything on the plastic bags that were earlier spread on the ground at the beginning of the work or by wiping using wet rags, mops or sponges. In some cases a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum cleaner is used.

For assistance removing asbestos, talk to a professional.

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2 May 2016

Creating An Organised And Functional Kitchen

The kitchen is the most used room in my home, and in the past, I found it could get messy and chaotic very quickly. Trying to cook dinner when you can't find an essential appliance or see past the clutter on the counter is no fun. I realised I enjoyed my time in the kitchen more and was more productive when my kitchen was organised and laid out in a way that optimised functionality. I changed my kitchen cleaning and organising routine, decluttered, got rid of appliances I don't use and moved things around to ensure frequently used items were easy to reach. I started this blog to share my tips for creating a kitchen that's enjoyable to use, and I post about ways you can optimise the space you have. I hope you find my posts useful.