Asbestos Roofing Repairs and Removal Experts, Edinburgh

Overview

Asbestos roofing has been banned in the UK since 1999, due to its very harmful side effects. Unfortunately it was a common building material until a few decades ago, and as such many properties still have old asbestos roofs which are best to be removed.

Fortunately, at Ronald G Graham Roofing, we offer a specialised service to remove the asbestos roofing with expert precision and safety, in both the residential and commercial properties in and around Edinburgh.

Why Asbestos Should Be Removed

The harmful effects of asbestos on humans has been thoroughly researched and well understood. Some of the serious health problems that asbestos roofing tiles causes include:

Mesothelioma: Cancer of linings of the lungs.

Asbestosis: Deposition of asbestos that results in scarring of the lungs.

Pleural thickening: Swelling and thickening of the lining of the lung.

Asbestos Regulations and Our Duty

The duty to manage asbestos is part of the Control of Asbestos Regulations. It requires the person who has the duty (the ‘dutyholder’) to:

Assess if there are asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) present, the amount, where they are and their condition
Presume materials contain asbestos unless there is strong evidence that they do not
Make, and keep up to date, a record or register of the location and condition of the ACMs or presumed ACMs
Assess the risk of anyone being exposed to airborne fibres from the ACMs
Write an asbestos management plan to manage the risk, put the plan into action, monitor it and review it every 12 months or sooner if necessary
Monitor the condition of any ACMs or suspected ACMs
Provide information on the location and condition of the ACMs to anyone who may work on or disturb them, including the emergency services

For more information on the the duty to manage asbestos in buildings, check the Health and Safety Executive Website for their extensive explanation.

Recent History of Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is resistant to degradation by chemicals as well as thermal energy. They also have the feature of electricity and fire resistance, as well as being made of strong fibres that can be woven or bound, allowing it be used in a wide variety of applications.

Asbestos was used a few hundred years ago, . However, this mineral came into the limelight only after its use started in the construction industry as a lightweight alternative and it became common in many homes across Edinburgh. Unfortunately many people passed away as a consequence of the serious and fatal impact of Asbestos.

The problem with the Asbestos Roofing

In general, when the asbestos tiles are intact, they cause no health hazard to humans. But as soon as the tiles erode and the asbestos fibre gets exposed, it causes the health hazards mentioned above. Also, the sheets of asbestos are fragile and get easily cracked, further increasing the risk.

If you have asbestos roof tiles, you will need a trained expert to repair or remove it. Only professionals should undertake the removal process of asbestos roof tiles as there is a need for specialist training in order to protect themselves and others from the airborne release of harmful fibre.

In the case where you have asbestos roof tiles on your home but they are in intact condition, then there is no need to replace them. But in the case when you are unsure of the state of tiles in your home, then we recommend you to call us for our asbestos roofing removal service. We will provide you the current report regarding the state of tiles in your home.

In the case when your roof asbestos tiles get damaged, then our company’s expert will survey the roof with aerial drones where possible, or with traditional ladder inspections when needed, and will report to you the required repair. Also, we will remove only the asbestos tiles that are damaged and in condition to harm human health and will replace them with some non-asbestos safe tiles.