Slate Roof Central - Asbestos Roofs

This website is provided by Joseph Jenkins, Inc., The Slate Roof Experts

Asbestos Roofs

How to Repair an Asbestos Roof

Sources of Asbestos Roof Tiles

Specialized roofing contractors will repair asbestos roofs for three reasons:

1) no one else will do it, 2) they are good roofs and will last a long time if maintained,

and 3) removal and replacement of the entire roof can involve the EPA and OSHA.

ASBESTOS ROOFS ARE NOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD UNLESS THEY ARE BROKEN OR CRUMBLED AND THE DUST IS INHALED. THAT IS WHY, *WHEN REMOVED*, THEY FALL UNDER THE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS REGULATIONS. IF LEFT IN PLACE, THEY MAKE A GOOD ROOF.

How long do asbestos roofs last? It is not unreasonable to expect 100 years from a properly maintained asbestos roof. There is more information about asbestos roofs in the Slate Roof Bible.

Slate Roof Central - standard asbestos installation

Slate Roof Central - diamond asbestos

Slate Roof Central - side-lapped asbestos

There are at least three types of asbestos shingles. Regular flat shingle tiles are shown at top; common diamond shaped tiles are shown at middle, and side-lap tiles are shown above. It is difficult to find asbestos replacement tiles that match the original roof in color shade, although there is a page on this site listing some sources of asbestos tiles. Note the three replacement tiles on the diamond asbestos roof above (they appear whiter than the original tiles).

Asbestos is a brittle and fragile material. It cannot be walked on as the tiles will crack and these hairline cracks, which are hard to see, will leak. Asbestos tiles can be cut with a Slate Cutter, some of which, in fact, were originally manufactured to cut asbestos tiles. This tool will also punch holes in asbestos tiles - no small feat as they tend to crack otherwise. You can also put holes in asbestos tiles by using a small masonry drill bit (3/16" for example). You can work on asbestos roofs by using hook ladders. A ladder hook is inexpensive and works pretty well on asbestos roofs. Slate hooks work well for fastening replacement tiles in place. On diamond shaped tiles use two hooks, one at 4 o clock and one at 8 o clock (see below). When you use slate hooks you don't have to drill the tiles or caulk anything. You can also use copper nails to nail the asbestos tiles back in place after taking the roof apart (such as when you replace flashings). The last (top) row of tiles, however, will probably have to be installed with slate hooks.

Here is an illustration showing how to use slate hooks to repair an asbestos roof.

A routine chimney flashing job on an asbestos roof in Grove City, PA (below):

Slate Roof Central - chimney reflashing on asbestos roof