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 various laws against manufacturers, which caused this particular business to demise.
The problem is with the handling of this substance, because the dust and residues are the danger. Many times people have asbestos shingles on their roof, or as a siding on their house, and have never had a single problem. However, if this substance were removed by workers, the problem would rear its ugly head. The dust would contaminate the lungs of workers, family members and even pets that are not protected. Amateurs better not remove asbestos. Only those who are experienced in asbestos removal should be hired to remove this toxic substance. You will most likely have to pay more to get this particular job done than, say, removing 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 that the substance be wrapped in garbage bags. Imagine how long it would take for a team of roofers to suit up in hazmat suits, complete with respirator masks, put the roof covering in plastic bags before putting it in the dump. Some homeowners insurance policies may cover the cost of asbestos removal.