There is a lot to think about when you purchase a new home, like adding your own stamp. But one thing that is also worth considering is whether or not it contains asbestos. Surprisingly, most homes built before 2000 will – including the ceiling and roofing.  

Your roofing and ceiling are essentially your home’s lid. They keep your possessions safe and protect you from the elements. Therefore, they are one of the most critical parts of your property.

When you discover they contain asbestos after carrying out asbestos testing, you’ve got some big decisions to make, such as how you will maintain them or whether you will remove them. We’ve included some helpful information below to enable you to make an informed choice.

How to Identify an Asbestos Ceiling

Ceilings with asbestos don’t have big signs that say they are asbestos. The most effective way to confirm its presence is with an asbestos test from a qualified asbestos removal company. However, some materials do stand out as being commonly mixed with asbestos.

Stippled, textured, or popcorn ceilings tended to consist of plaster mixed with asbestos. Not all of these ceiling types do, though, so it’s always worth carrying out a test. 

How to Identify an Asbestos Roof

Once again, the best way to identify an asbestos roof is with an asbestos test. Though, some roofing materials contain asbestos more obviously than others.

Super Six roofing, for example, is easy to identify. It’s a branded asbestos cement sheet roofing material that was popular for a variety of reasons. It was strong, easy to mould into corrugated sheets, and easy to install. Best of all, it was fire-resistant.

Roof tiles can also contain asbestos – both mastic and bitumen-based. These tiles can be a safe and durable form of roofing, but only when meticulously (and safely) maintained. As soon as they show signs of wear, they become a danger to you and your neighbours.

And they are dangerous in more ways than one. Super Six roofing and asbestos roofs in general, can contaminate rainwater, guttering, and soil. They can also cause asbestos to invade ceiling spaces and insulation, which may mean you’ve got an even larger problem on your hands.

Deciding What to Do with Asbestos Roofing and Ceilings

Identifying the presence of asbestos in your ceilings and roof is just step one. You’ve had an asbestos test, confirmed it’s there, and now have to decide what to do next.

Asbestos removal experts in New Zealand will often provide three solutions but only based on your unique situation. Not all of these solutions will suit your roofing and ceiling materials.

Leaving It Alone

If you’ve noticed that you’ve got popcorn, textured, or stippled ceilings, your chosen asbestos testing expert may suggest that you can leave it alone. If you are not planning on renovating and it’s in perfect condition, it can be the safest option.  

The same goes for some asbestos roofing types, like asbestos tiles. When in excellent condition, they are safer to keep in place than going through the removal process. Although, Super Six roofing may not be a candidate for this option.

Sealing, Enclosing, and Encapsulating

Let’s say you’ve got a small patch of popcorn ceiling that appears to be starting to show signs of wear. In that case, an asbestos removalist may recommend sealing, encapsulating, or enclosing.

This process involves a coating of material that soaks into the asbestos material and hardens it. Its job is to stop the release of any loose asbestos fibres that could be hazardous to your health.

Removing It

When you start learning about asbestos, you’ll become quite familiar with the terms ‘friable’ and ‘non-friable’. In the asbestos industry, these are classified as Class A and Class B.

Friable asbestos, or Class A, is asbestos that is damaged, dusty, and broken. It poses a significant health risk and is commonly found in sprayed coatings, floor tile backing, thermal insulation, and Class B asbestos products that have fallen into disrepair.

Class B, or non-friable asbestos, on the other hand, describes a material mixed with asbestos. The asbestos isn’t exposed to the air, and it’s not unsafe unless broken or damaged.

If you have friable asbestos, an asbestos removalist would likely suggest removing it. In its current form, it poses a health and safety risk. Only a licenced and qualified asbestos removalist can take care of this asbestos form.  

What Are You Going to Do?

Dealing with asbestos can be stressful for any homeowner, especially when it involves one of your property’s most important parts – the roof. However, it’s helpful to know that experts are always around to offer their advice. You don’t have to navigate this foreign new world on your own. 

So, there are just a few things left to do. 

1. If you suspect asbestos, contact an asbestos testing company and make an appointment. They will take a small sample of the material to confirm its presence.

2. Decide whether to remove, seal, or leave, based on your future plans.

3. Get the experts on board to help, whatever you decide.