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MJ · Feb 4, 2012

Asbestos Roof Cleaning -- book it or walk?

Feb 5, 2012

Is that a Slate roof or Asphalt roof in the photos?

MJ · Feb 5, 2012

It's Asbestos Roofing Material

Roofing materials that contain asbestos have been used in a wide variety of homes and commercial buildings since the early 1900s.

While the use of asbestos in roofing materials was phased out during the 1980s, many homes, commercial buildings and schools still have roofs made of materials that contain the substance.

http://www.asbestos.com/products/construction/roofing-materials.php

There are a 1000's of homes like this, and they all have heavy moss, If i took the work, It would take maybe 3 trips to get it. I think a brush first, pre-treat, then hit it till is goes away. No pressure blasting.

Copper front porch and flashing is what is stopping me from ging after it.

Feb 5, 2012

Mike, the sh and surfactants used will not bother the copper gutters and or flashing. Chems such as sodium hydroxide and acid products will harm them or should I say, start to clean the patina on them. Regular roof wash mix will be fine. We have cleaned plenty of roofs that have copper gutters and have never had any issues.

A to Z · Deleted

Just realize that once they are moist you WILL NOT be able to do anything that resembles walking on that roof. Very slippery when wet.
I wouldn't touch it myself.

donniedawg · Guest

I say... bid it high.... rent a lift.... and pay the mortgage !

MJ · Feb 7, 2012

I quoted it as 3 jobs,1450 sq ft, I think I'll earn my money even at a buck a foot. HO could not have signed the agreement fast enough. Wanted my WC certificate and that was it.

I told them that it will lake awhile for the roots to let go.

Asbestos scares everybody, including me.

Seems like I see a lot of metal, copper, and other flashing out there that tends to react different with a little over spray. We had a metal roof on a overhang go from brown to patina in the sun today, it looked like paint, but it did not dry out back to original brown. Maybe it needs a few days to bake off?

Tom C · Guest

MJ,
How old is that roof? From the photos it looks like the roof is a Supradur Supra Slate. They were made with asbestos until 1992 and then they eliminated the asbestos and attempted to produce the same quality of product. The asbestos free Supra Slate II didn't hold up as well in some climates and the company went bankrupt in 1995 due to warranty claims. GAF bought the assests in 1995. Enough for history, bottom line, if it's a Supra Slate, it's either asbestos or brittle. We have a few of the Supra Slate Roofs in Houston and they are holding up great.

MJ · Feb 7, 2012

The house was built in 1929, I do hear all the time that the new owner's were told that is was a slate roof, but it turns out to be an asbestos tile/shingle. Comes up now because of nondisclosure issues. This house transferred at 500k in 2006, I did notice no central air. I will keep the SH away from that window air conditioner.

I have learned that in some places that it is illegal to power wash an asbestos roof, which to me, is kind of common sense. All I can find out locally is, no sanding, no cutting and no drilling. Pre-wetting prior to spaying was advised, will have the mask out on this one. Will bag up the moss.

The only instructional material I can find is use a mop like attachment to lightly brush the surface moss off.

garyw · Feb 7, 2012

I would think that any type of brushing would fall in the same catagory as sanding. Your roof solution will kill it and it will fall off on its own. I wouldn't set myself up for some kind of BIG fine. Let the chemical work and be patient. JMHO

Gary

gutterdog · Feb 8, 2012

What Gary said is right. The fines for asbestos are huge. It can get everywhere and has to be dug up and just very costly. No pressure no brushing nothing.

Be very carefull, and good luck.

MJ · Feb 9, 2012

No insurance coverage for asbestos says my agent, said to get a release of responsibility from client that holds us harmless for any complications or future claims, said the issue is not health or safety, it is replacement cost, said cost was to high to replace. I don't think it is worth the exposure. Lot of homes with the same issue, deterioration by root growth is more of a health issue that killing the bacteria in terms of potential air-borne release. With a heavy pre-soak and low pressure and about 3 months I think the roof would look great and the owner and neighbors would be better off. Can't risk the ranch for 1 job.

gutterdog · Feb 9, 2012

Best of luck to you! I wouldnt mess with it, broke as I been. a 30,000 fine really sucks, but... if you can pull it off???? That is a nich that you have the monopoly on! Charge whatever you want!

MJ · Feb 10, 2012

I pitched it to an asbestos removal company to be the general and sub it to me, they carry the insurance that cost 50k per year. He has several homes in Sarasota and is roof cleaning savvy. We might still get to do it.

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"