Being exposed to asbestos can be dangerous, it is a good idea to know where asbestos is in your home. Asbestos was a widely used building material due to its flame resistant and lightweight properties; asbestos roofing tiles were commonly used do to those properties.
When was asbestos used in homes?
Despite general knowledge of the harmful effects of asbestos, it was still used in building materials until 1989, when it was officially banned.
What parts of my roof could be made with asbestos?
Asbestos can be found in all of these materials that make up your roof:
- roofing shingles
- roof liner
- insulation
- base flashing
- roof fireproofing materials
- caulks/putties
For your family’s protection, the Nebraska Department of Health and Safety has made a complete list of products in your home that may contain asbestos.
What happens if an asbestos roof is left alone?
Due to the aging asbestos materials and your roof exposed to Nebraska’s turbulent weather, it is not advised to leave it alone; there could already be damaged materials that factory-certified roofing experts will be able to identify.
If your roof shingles have asbestos, you could easily get exposed when replacing any shingles, since any tear or abrasion exposes asbestos fibers. In some cases, even moving the tiles could expose the homeowner to asbestos fibers. An aging roof containing asbestos could also affect the property value of your home, which could lead to issues when selling your home or applying for a mortgage, including home equity loans or a reverse mortgage.
How do I know if my roof has asbestos?
If any of the parts of your roof were manufactured before 1989 there is a likelihood that they contain asbestos. However, the only way to be sure that your roof does not have asbestos is to have it inspected by a factory-certified professional. In some cases, only sampling and testing can determine if your roof has asbestos materials.
How much does getting rid of asbestos cost?
Due to the safety concerns with asbestos roofs aging, homeowners insurance may cover the cost of replacing any asbestos materials, including an entire roof replacement. Roof inspections to determine if your roof has asbestos are free and if the inspection discovers asbestos a roofing company can be a great advocate for the homeowner when dealing with insurance.
