Although this is not a pressing problem in the Central Florida roofing area, there are still some homes that have asbestos. Many homeowners don’t even realize they have this potentially dangerous substance in their homes.
Asbestos has been widely used in many construction products due to its tensile strength and chemical and thermal resistance. It was widely used because many builders and manufacturers labeled it as a “non-combustible” substance. The problem lies in the handling of this substance. It appears that the dust would enter the workers’ lungs and cause lung cancer and mesothelioma. There were several laws against the manufacturers, which caused the demise of this particular business.
The problem is with the handling of this substance, because dust and residues are the danger. Many times people have asbestos shingles on their roof, or as siding on their house, and have never had a single problem. However, if this substance were removed by the workers, the problem would rear its ugly head. The dust would contaminate the lungs of workers, family members and even unprotected pets. Hobbyists are better off not removing asbestos. Only those who have experience in asbestos removal should be hired to remove this toxic substance. Chances are, you’ll have to pay more to get this particular job done than, say, removing your three-tab asphalt shingles. When asbestos is taken to a landfill, it must be buried. It doesn’t get dropped on top of the other things that are out there. Some landfills require the substance to be wrapped in garbage bags. Imagine how long it would take a crew of roofers to suit up in hazmat suits, complete with respirator masks, put the roof covering into plastic bags before placing it in the landfill. Some homeowners insurance policies may cover the cost of asbestos removal.