Asbestos roofing – surface deterioration

Cause

Weathering

Repair

  • if you are not sure whether a fibre-cement cladding contains asbestos, you can get a small piece (about the size of two $2 coins, or approximately 2 x 3 cm) tested at one of the labs listed on our asbestos page

  • where the roofing is in basically sound condition it may be ‘encapsulated’. Start by cleaning the roof with a low-pressure chemical wash – do not use a water blaster. When working on the roof:

    • work only in calm conditions

    • lay protective boards across the surface to walk on

    • wear a disposable P2 mask and disposable overalls and gloves

    • do not do anything that would lead to asbestos fibres becoming airborne

  • repaint with 2 coats of high-build acrylic elastomeric coating 

  • where the asbestos fibre-cement roofing is in poor condition or sheets are cracked it will need to be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist and a new roof cladding installed. You can find a registry of licensed removalists on the WorkSafe New Zealand website.

Breathing in asbestos fibres can lead to serious and potentially fatal illnesses. Work with materials that contain asbestos is very strictly controlled. You can find more asbestos details for homeowners on the WorkSafe website.

Cause

Age of material

Repair

  •  if you are not sure whether a fibre-cement cladding contains asbestos, you can get a small piece (about the size of two $2 coins, or approximately 2 x 3 cm) tested at one of the labs listed on our asbestos page

  • where the roofing is in basically sound condition it may be ‘encapsulated’. Start by cleaning the roof with a low-pressure chemical wash – do not use a water blaster. When working on the roof:

    • work only in calm conditions

    • lay protective boards across the surface to walk on

    • wear a disposable P2 mask and disposable overalls and gloves

    • do not do anything that would lead to asbestos fibres becoming airborne

  • repaint with 2 coats of high-build acrylic elastomeric coating 

  • where the asbestos fibre-cement roofing is in poor condition or sheets are cracked it will need to be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist and a new roof cladding installed. You can find a registry of licensed removalists on the WorkSafe New Zealand website.

Breathing in asbestos fibres can lead to serious and potentially fatal illnesses. Work with materials that contain asbestos is very strictly controlled. You can find more asbestos details for homeowners on the WorkSafe website.

Cause

The roofing is at the end of its serviceable life

Repair

  • if you are not sure whether a fibre-cement cladding contains asbestos,you can get a small piece (about the size of two $2 coins, or approximately 2 x 3 cm) tested at one of the labs listed on our asbestos page

  • where the asbestos fibre-cement roofing is in poor condition or sheets are cracked it will need to be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist and a new roof cladding installed. You can find a registry of licensed removalists on the WorkSafe New Zealand website.

Breathing in asbestos fibres can lead to serious and potentially fatal illnesses. Work with materials that contain asbestos is very strictly controlled. You can find more asbestos details for homeowners on the WorkSafe website.