Chrysotile asbestos in mid-terrace roof

housebuyer7

Hello,

Our mid-terrace house roof has tested positive for chrysotile asbestos. From reading it seems like it may not necessarily require removal and should be fine if not disturbed. But how do I know whether or not it’s already been disturbed and is releasing toxic chemicals? It’s a few decades old and does require some maintenance (I.e some holes/missing tiles, vegetation and moss growth, worn felt in places). I can’t seem to find a roofer that would deal with maintenance and repairs of roofs with asbestos, it just seems to be removal. How worried should I be about my health? Do I need to consider immediate removal?

Section62

housebuyer7 said:

Hello,

Our mid-terrace house roof has tested positive for chrysotile asbestos. From reading it seems like it may not necessarily require removal and should be fine if not disturbed. But how do I know whether or not it’s already been disturbed and is releasing toxic chemicals? It’s a few decades old and does require some maintenance (I.e some holes/missing tiles, vegetation and moss growth, worn felt in places). I can’t seem to find a roofer that would deal with maintenance and repairs of roofs with asbestos, it just seems to be removal. How worried should I be about my health? Do I need to consider immediate removal?

Is this artificial slates?

HampshireH

In the tiles, felt or cement?

If the tiles, risk wise to your health very very low if you are just living normally in your house.

Unless you have been smashing it up and breathing it in your exposure levels will likely be no different to that of it being anywhere else you may go to.

You would know if it were damaged as it would be evidently broken.

Same with felt - one look in your loft will tell you the condition it is in.

Some roofers are trained to remove unlicenced asbestos and do so as part of the job. Others don't care (not very helpful at all) and some will tell you your whole roof must have it all removed at great and unnecessary expense.

If you are worried about health risks of asbestos it's best to do a bit of background reading

I'm interested did you get a survey done because you are planning roof works or just because you wanted to know what was in your house.

housebuyer7

@HampshireH I got the test done because it was flagged as possible in my survey so I just wanted to know for sure. It’s the roof tile itself. I don’t believe the felt was tested. I guess they look like artificial slates but the asbestos test referred to them as ‘cement roof tile’. There are two broken/damaged tiles with holes a bit larger than tennis balls so I at least want this fixing if nothing else (and would this be putting my health at risk given these two tiles are broken)? There are also areas where the felt has worn away and this is causing problems with the rain. However I am struggling to find an experience company who carry out maintenance in the residential setting rather than commercial.

housebuyer7

In fact here is a picture of one of the broken tiles

Phil4432

Really, you need to get it surveyed by an asbestos company. Shouldn't cost too much.

housebuyer7

Surveyed for what? @Phil4432 asbestos is confirmed.

plumb1_2

So are they asbestos or just cement based as in your post.
to me they look like eternit tile which are safe, held down with copper rivets at the bottom of each tile. Replaced hundreds of them.

housebuyer7

@plumb1_2 please see my survey results:

JohnJ76

dont worry about your health from a broken tile. unless you get on the roof and start grinding them and creating loads of dust you breath in, the risk to health is miniscule or it would be a legal requirement to have all roofs stripped.  Youve probably got more asbestos in any artex ceilings your have. Whilst all asbestos is dangerous the white stuff (chrysotile) is the best of a bad bunch so don't panic.  Now you know you have tiles which contain it, you do have a duty of care to find, and inform, a contractor that will deal with repairs responsibly so whoever you find expect those tile replacements to come at a hefty premium. if surrounding properties are of the same roof construction, see if any of them are having building work - specifically roofing work, and have a word with the builder.

Bigphil1474

As above, nothing to worry about. All you need is to get a normal roofer in to fix the damage. Tell them that they are cement tiles containing asbestos and they'll know not to start using a grinder. 

For info, the danger with asbestos containing materials (ACM) is from the microscopic fibres which when breathed into your lungs, eventually kill you after about 30 years. Broken ACM isn't necessarily dangerous either, it's just those fibres. If you do have your roof replaced (which isn't necessary IMO), you wouldn't need a licensed company as they can remove the old tiles whole.