Asbestos was one of the most popular building materials in the past century. The material was used in the making of roofs and cladding to fortify them. However, it was banned after research showed that exposure to the material leads to adverse health effects. Because asbestos poses several health risks, it is advisable to remove it whenever you come across it in older buildings. Authorities also recommend that experts should handle the removal process. However, in the absence of experts, it is still possible to follow these tips and remove the asbestos safely.

1. Have the Roof Inspected

Ensure that the roof, the sidings and all other components of the garage roof inspected for the presence of asbestos before starting the removal. The inspection will help you determine how much asbestos there is. One of the ways to tell if your building materials contain asbestos is looking at the packaging that the material came in. If the roof is old and the packaging material is not available, you can contact manufacturers. Contact the local building authorities to determine whether removal is allowed or not.

2. Protecting the Area around the Roof

When asbestos ages, it starts disintegrating. When this disintegration occurs, the fibres can be inhaled, which causes lung cancer and asbestosis among other health conditions. To avoid the disintegrated fibres from being left behind and affecting the occupants of the house, make sure you put drop cloths all around the roof. It is also advisable to wear protecting clothing to keep the fibres away from your skin and your actual clothing. Alternatively, you can wear disposable clothing during the removal process. Also, use a respirator with P100 cartridge filters. These are the most effective in keeping fibres out of your respiratory system.

3. Wetting the Work Area

One of the most effective ways to make sure that asbestos does not break off and fly around during the removal process is by making sure the entire work area is properly moistened. If moisture creates a falling hazard, you can opt to work slowly to prevent the dust from flying off and affecting the surrounding area.

It is advisable to follow all the recommended processes when removing an asbestos roof. If you are not completely sure that you can handle the process by yourself, you should call in experts. They will provide asbestos roof replacement and dispose of the asbestos properly to avoid any contamination.