{"id":10596,"date":"2022-08-05T22:06:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-05T22:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/?post_type=blog&p=10596"},"modified":"2023-02-13T22:33:53","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T22:33:53","slug":"does-my-roof-contain-asbestos","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/asbestos-blog\/mi-techo-contiene-asbesto\/","title":{"rendered":"Does My Roof Contain Asbestos?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Short Answer:<\/strong> Possibly. Asbestos is an incredibly utilitarian mineral that was used in construction materials of all kinds for its resistance to fire and other degradation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asbestos was especially used in roofing materials like shingles and roofing cement, and nearly every building constructed before the mid 1980s contained some form of asbestos. Unless you or a previous owner specifically removed asbestos from your home or other building, it may contain asbestos, including in the roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asbestos can cause significant health problems, especially over time as asbestos fibers become airborne. When in doubt, the safest thing to do is have a professional asbestos test<\/a> conducted. If asbestos is found in the building, it is wise to have asbestos removed by a licensed, experienced asbestos abatement company<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Asbestos dangers may lurk in the roof of your home or building<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Asbestos materials were used in the construction of most building roofs until the mid-1980s.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While asbestos occurs naturally in rocks and soil, it is anything but benign. In the 1970s, the fibrous material known for its pliability, durability and fireproof qualities, was found to be a dangerous carcinogen. The public was warned that exposure to asbestos could cause respiratory diseases such as COPD, emphysema, asthma and lung cancer. Asbestos can also cause ovarian, kidney, thyroid, and other types of cancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although these findings were circulated in the \u201870s, it wasn\u2019t until 1989 that the United States finally banned asbestos<\/a> altogether. Up until this time, companies were left to their own devices and could decide whether or not to continue using it in their products. Use of asbestos greatly decreased after the news came out, but those that used it frequently may have decided to keep the status quo.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Most buildings constructed before the 1980s contain some asbestos products.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Construction is perhaps the most well-known industry when it comes to a history of asbestos use. For many years, asbestos<\/a> could be found in insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, popcorn ceilings, cement<\/a> pipes and sheets, drywall, fireproofing spray and in a variety of roofing materials. It only made sense at the time to use something that would be heat resistant and hold up for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone working in construction may have been exposed to harmful asbestos fibers.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Because of the widespread use of asbestos<\/a> in construction, the industry is still on the top ten list of occupations most at risk of its workers developing asbestos-related illnesses. Those who used these fibers up until the ban could have been exposed, and still today, anyone who improperly renovates a structure containing asbestos could be put at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since asbestos was so widely used in roofing, many homeowners are left to wonder whether they\u2019re roof<\/a> contains it. Homes constructed prior to the ban, especially those with asphalt roofs, are a likely source. Most roofs have to be replaced every 15-30 years, so when the time comes, it\u2019s important to limit exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in an older home and the roof looks like it needs to be updated, here is everything you need to know about where asbestos might be hiding and how to take care of it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Do You Qualify For Compensation?<\/p>\n

Quickly and easily find out how you were exposed by searching W.A.R.D., the largest asbestos database on the planet.<\/p>\n FREE SEARCH > <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Asbestos in Roofing<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Asbestos was sought after in construction for many years. It was easily extracted for use and known to be fireproof and reliable. To understand all of the ways in which asbestos might show up in roofing materials, it\u2019s best to understand the roofing process in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roofing is a rather tedious multi-step process. First, the underlayment, an adhesive product, is applied to limit moisture. Then, tar paper or felt paper is laid on top and stapled down. Starter shingles are placed over the paper, then the actual shingles<\/a> are laid, overlapping each other, and these are nailed into place. Flashing is used around any windows and chimneys, and if needed, cement can be applied and sealant can be used to close off any gaps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Asbestos may be found in a number of roofing materials:<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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As far as asbestos goes, historically the substance was used in nearly every step<\/a>. Malleable and durable, and able to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations, storms and fires, here\u2019s where asbestos might have shown up<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The underlayment <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just as black mastic<\/a> asbestos was used as an adhesive in floor tiles, around air ducts, around pipes and in many other areas of the home, it was often used in the same capacity on rooftops. Mixing asbestos<\/a> into glue strengthened it and allowed the substance to act as a powerful sealant. Using this on roofs easily prevented water from entering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asphalt roofing felt paper<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Asbestos allowed this paper to be fireproof and long-lasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Asbestos was used in roofing cement<\/a> for the same reason. Heavy-duty bonding materials are referred to as \u201cconstruction mastics.\u201d When mixed into the cement, the asbestos-containing compound was durable, fire resistant and acted as a strong barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shingles and flashing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many types of shingles<\/a> on homes built prior to the \u201870s had asbestos. The most commonly used asbestos-containing shingles were asphalt. At the same time, asphalt was likely the most commonly chosen shingle overall!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sealant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Asbestos is pliable and it acted as an effective barrier to keep water out when an asbestos-containing sealant was applied to any gaps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What Should I Do if I Believe My Roof Contains Asbestos?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Even though the Environmental Protection Agency now forbids and regulates<\/a> the use of asbestos, because it was used so extensively in roofing, chances are that any older home is going to have traces of asbestos on top of it. In fact, any older home will likely have traces of asbestos in many different areas, inside and out. If it\u2019s time to replace the roof and you\u2019re worried about being exposed, there are a few precautionary steps to take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, if you choose, you can submit a sample to a lab to test for asbestos. Of course, this is a risky process, and it can be very costly. Asbestos fibers are microscopic, and it is completely odorless, so there\u2019s no good way to test for it at home. If you\u2019d rather forgo the test altogether, you can simply assume that your roof is old enough to contain asbestos or ask a professional company to do it for you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Don\u2019t Remediate Asbestos Materials in Your Roof by Yourself<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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If you believe your roof has asbestos in it, call an abatement company to take care of the problem rather than trying to remove it yourself. Not only is there a strong possibility that attempting to do so will expose you and others, but, because of this, it could open you up to legal issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professional asbestos remediators<\/a> are extensively trained to remove asbestos the right way, and once your home\u2019s old covering no longer contains the hazardous fibers, you\u2019ll be able to take the next step and switch it out for a new, asbestos-free roof<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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AsbestosClaims.Law<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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AsbestosClaims.law is your comprehensive resource for all things asbestos. We hope this information helps you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you believe that your home was contaminated with asbestos, you could be entitled to significant compensation<\/a>\u2014money you could use to cover the costs of asbestos removal services, pay for medical treatment, and preemptively protect your physical well-being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to legal claims<\/a>, veterans disability<\/a>, social security<\/a> and employment protection like workers compensation<\/a>, FELA<\/a> and The Jones Act<\/a> for maritime workers, there are asbestos trusts<\/a> that have been set up to compensate those harmed by asbestos without having to file a lawsuit.
If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, including testing<\/a> for exposure or how to file a claim, please get in touch<\/a> by email at help@asbestosclaims.law<\/a>, or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378)<\/a> or (206) 455-9190<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\nAntonella Campopiano, Deborah Ramires, Aneta Maria Zakrzewska, Rosa Ferri, Antonio D’annibale, Giancarlo Pizzutelli, Risk Assessment of the Decay of Asbestos Cement Roofs, The Annals of Occupational Hygiene, Volume 53, Issue 6, August 2009, Pages 627\u2013638, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/annhyg\/mep036\n<\/a>
\n\nTorunn Ervik, Stine Eriksen Hammer & P\u00e5l Graff (2021) Mobilization of asbestos fibers by weathering of a corrugated asbestos cement roof, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 18:3, 110-117, DOI: 10.1080\/15459624.2020.1867730.\n
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