AsbestosRoofing.co.uk

When you’re considering doing any work to an asbestos cement roof, it’s important to consider what’s immediately beneath the panels.

In some buildings, the roof sheets will be exposed, whilst in others, there will be some kind of liner or lining panel.

Asbestos roof liners vary in terms of the materials used and can be plasterboard, mineral fibre board, chip board, asbestos cement, asbestos insulation board (brown asbestos) or even a fibre board lined with 100% Chrysotile asbestos paper.

Unlined Asbestos Cement

This roof has been painted in the past, but the paint finish has deteriorated in this case

In most cases, an unsealed (non-painted) roof like this causes no problems, as long as it is in reasonably good condition.

If the area below is occupied, it’s considered good practice to encapsulate the asbestos sheets with a good quality sealer, an alkali resistant primer and then finish off with an emulsion paint. This helps prevent fibre release into the work space.

Alternatively, the roof can be sealed and sprayed with a bitumastic paint, or simply sealed with a PVA adhesive such as Unibond.

Asbestos Cement Liners

These asbestos cement roof liners are in good condition

Some roofs (metal and asbestos) have asbestos cement roof liners. These are usually very sturdy and serve as additional insulation, as well as protecting people below from the danger of falling debris from the roof panels.

As with an asbestos cement roof, it is good practice to seal this type of liner with a good quality sealer and emulsion.

Plasterboard Lining Panels

Plasterboard panels are prone to failure.

This is a common sight on our surveys. Plasterboard panels beneath an aging asbestos roof are prone to failure. This is especially common on roofs that suffered regular or constant leaks, since the plasterboard absorbs the water, bows and then either breaks under it’s own weight, or simply rots.

During heavy winds, all asbestos roof panels move to some extent, but particularly when the fixings have not been maintained. This movement causes the panels to rub together and release fibres which are then trapped between the roof panel and the roof liners.

When the liners fail and fall to the ground, there is a strong chance that asbestos fibres will be present in the resulting debris.

Asbestos Paper Backed Boards

These roof liners have a 100% chrysotile asbestos covering

Found in a factory in Worcestershire, these lining panels are made up of fibre board and then covered with asbestos paper. Several boards had fallen into the workspace.

We managed a major refurbishment project that included re-roofing the factory, which remained operational throughout.

If you are considering such a project, please call David Carter on 01564 824554 or 07800 790427 fpr advice or to discuss an initial feasibility study.