Asbestos is a dangerous material that is no longer used in the construction of buildings. Many people are often concerned about having asbestos in their properties and do not know what they should do if they suspect its presence. Here are five important things to know about asbestos if you would like more information on the material.
1. Asbestos Is No Longer Used in Construction
Asbestos is a material that was used in the construction of buildings up until the end of the last century. However, it was found to cause serious health problems and it is no longer used. It is sometimes found in commercial roofing in older buildings, as well as in other areas of buildings, and if it is present in your roof and you need to carry out some repairs you may need to hire an asbestos roofing contractor. Likewise if you are considering a full industrial roof replacement and asbestos has been identified through a professional roof survey, again you will need to hire an experienced and suitably qualified industrial roofing company who specialise in the removal of asbestos roofing.
2. Asbestos Is Present in Many Buildings
Although asbestos is no longer used in the construction of new buildings, it is still present in many older buildings. It may be found in pipe insulation, cisterns, vinyl floor tiles, cement roof sheeting, ceilings, door panels, water tanks and other areas of buildings. This is not always a problem if the asbestos is contained and undamaged, but if you think asbestos may be present in your premises, arranging a survey can help you to find out whether it poses a risk or not.
3. Asbestos Is Difficult to Recognise
One of the problems with asbestos is that it is very difficult for the untrained eye to know whether asbestos is present or not. It comes in various colours and forms, including blue, white and brown asbestos and it can also be mixed with different materials. It is always best to get a professional survey carried out if you are unsure, and you can ask your industrial roofing contractor about this if you suspect asbestos may be present in your roof.
4. Asbestos Causes Health Problems
Exposure to asbestos is known to cause a number of serious and fatal diseases including lung cancer and asbestosis. If you own or work in a commercial building and think that asbestos may be present, it's vital that you act quickly and enlist the help of a professional to identify whether or not asbestos is first present and then make recommendations on any repairs or replacement works that are required to ensure the health and safety of all using the building.
5. You Need to Hire a Professional to Remove Asbestos
If you have a damaged roof that contains asbestos, or you want to carry out some renovations, you will need to hire a contractor specialising in asbestos removal. If you disturb the asbestos by accident, contact an industrial roofing contractor immediately to minimise the risks of breathing in the asbestos particles. Stay well away from the area and get your licensed contractor to arrange its disposal.
Conclusion
Always Be Careful when Dealing with Asbestos
Asbestos is a nasty material that should be left well alone if possible. If you own a commercial premises and you need to repair a roof that contains asbestos, make sure you always hire an asbestos roofing contractor to sort this out for you. Alternatively, if you suspect asbestos is present in your home and you want to carry out some DIY, make sure you hire a qualified asbestos surveyor to find out how much asbestos is present before you start work.
JDB Industrial Roofing is one of the UK's leading cladding contractors. With a wide range of roofing and cladding services and over 20 years experience in the industry, we pride ourselves on the fact we are a one stop solution to our clients. Professional, efficient and cost effective services from an established and reputable company you can trust. If you would like more information, get in touch on 01536 416537 or visit our website: http://www.jdbroofing.co.uk
