Older buildings are likely to contain a number of different hazardous substances. Unless the building has been recently built, it is likely the building contains asbestos. With renovations, many older buildings look new, don’t let this fool you. Just because the building looks new, doesn’t mean it is free from asbestos. This mineral was put into many construction materials and could be part of the flooring, walls, roofing, and insulation. When doing renovations, most people focus on the interior of the home, leaving the roofing the same. If the roof is still in good shape, it is not touched. However, many older roofs contain hazardous mineral fibers. It is important to perform asbestos testing prior to renovations. As airborne fibers are highly dangerous and could lead to death.
Usage of asbestos in roofing materials has drastically dropped since the 80s. However, there are many roofing materials that still contain asbestos fibers. If your roofing was not recently completed, you should have it checked by a certified abatement company, such as Asbestos Abatement Services. This thorough inspection could save you and the lives of many people in your building or around it. Below are some of the more common commercial roofing materials that have been known to contain asbestos fibers:
- Flashing
- Shingles
- Felts
- Mastics
- Sealants
- Decking
- Coatings
- Vapor Retardants
- Adhesives Underlayment
Above are just some of the more common places asbestos could be. It is important to have your businesses roof checked before you start any renovations. If the roofing does contain asbestos, the professionals will be able to remove it safely. They have the proper equipment and clothing to remove and dispose of asbestos in a safe manner. For more information on commercial roofing and asbestos, give us a call or check out our other blogs!
