Let’s talk asbestos roofs…
In the past, asbestos used to be widely accepted as a construction material. Many products such as pipes and gutters usually consisted of this material. These parts of your home have most likely been changed throughout the times (considering the fact that your house is older than 50 years).
However, it is still common to find this dangerous material being used as a roofing material. Many homes built in the first half of the 20th century included asbestos. This can cause problematic situations where many neighborhoods of older properties can be full of this material.
There is currently a unique roofing situation in Omaha where lots of homes in the Midtown neighborhood have over 100 year old asbestos roofs, putting the homeowners in danger.
Since we understand the significance of this issue, we decided to write an article to raise awareness about this vital topic and show you how you can solve this issue.
Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about getting rid of asbestos roof and its benefits:
Why was asbestos so widely used in the past
Let’s first have a quick summary of why this material used to be perceived as an ideal material for roofing. Many people believed asbestos was the go-to material considering many benefits they saw in it, such as:
- Asbestos is light and relatively durable material.
- Asbestos does not rust and is heat resistant.
- Last but not least, asbestos used to be very popular also due to its affordability.
All of these “benefits“ caused people to start using it without knowing the health issues that can come along.
Negative health effects of asbestos in your roofing
Although it looked like a great material from which roofing can be made, in the 1970s, people started to be aware of the severe negative health effect caused by asbestos. Here is a list of health issues that can occur when coming in contact with asbestos for an extended period of time:
- Respiratory issues
If materials containing asbestos are damaged, asbestos fibers get released into the air and thereby into your lungs. These tiny fibers often get trapped in your lung chambres- causing respiratory issues and some long-term diseases such as pleural plaques.
- Asbestosis
The term asbestosis refers to an inflammation of the lungs caused by asbestos, which eventually causes permanent damage to your lungs. The symptoms can be mild or severe. Common symptoms include weight loss, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, and fatigue. People who develop asbestosis are usually at a higher risk of lung cancer, which brings us to the next point.
- Lung cancer
Asbestos is a carcinogen. This means that it is a type of material which if someone gets exposed to, they increase their chances of getting cancer which is the last thing anyone wants.
But it’s not just about health when it comes to difficulties with asbestos.
Other disadvantages of having your roof made from asbestos
If you thought health issues were the only problem, you were wrong. Insurance is another significant problem. Properties with asbestos roofs are becoming increasingly difficult to insure, which affects the homeowners in two main ways:
- The insurance of your property is more costly
- The difficulty of selling your home is increased
Issues with having an asbestos roof can occur even after the initial decision to remove it.
How?
The process of removing the roofing itself is difficult and dangerous.
Some people tend to take the DIY path, but it’s worth mentioning that it is not the smartest idea. You’re exposing yourself to extremely high risk, and that’s not all. Once you get your roof off, you realize that since it’s such a hazardous material, you need to find a special place where you’ll throw away the material. This, of course, costs additional money.
Very few companies offer such services. Removing an asbestos roof is a specialized job that requires a trained crew that must be dressed in hazmat suits due to the toxicity of the material.
Think about it, would you rather have your roof changed by a team of specialized professionals that ensure the area around your home stays safe, or would you rather try saving your money and risking your life while not having the necessary awareness about ways of getting rid of asbestos correctly?
What to do if you want to get rid of your asbestos roof but don’t know where to start?
Now that you know all the disadvantages of owning and getting rid of an asbestos roof, we believe it’s now the right time to introduce ourselves.
We are AGR Roofing and Construction, and we specialize in getting rid of asbestos roofs in Omaha, NE.
We are one of the very few companies in the area specializing in providing the safest service regarding removing your asbestos roof for a fair price. With us, you’ll no longer need to worry about any possible health issues or any other issues that come with getting rid of your asbestos roof.
We have a team of trained professionals with years of experience that you can trust and believe.
Feel free to check out our about us page for more information.
If you are thinking about removing your asbestos roof but don’t know where to start, or if you have any questions, in general, and would like to discuss your specific case, feel free to contact us. Our team will be more than happy to answer all your questions.
We hope and believe our article helped to raise your awareness about this important topic of getting rid of asbestos roofs and that when you are going to be deciding, you are going to make the right decision.
