An asbestos roof covering is an effective alternative to removal that could save you time, money and a lot of disruption. But how long will it last? In this post, we explain everything you need to know about the lifespan of a roof covering for asbestos encapsulation.
Asbestos was championed for its insulative properties throughout the 20th century. Along with walls, ceilings and other areas, it was commonly used in roofing. In particular, asbestos was often used to strengthen corrugated roofing sheets, used on industrial buildings.
While its eventual ban saw its application cease, asbestos hasn’t been removed from all buildings where it’s present. The problem here is that asbestos becomes dangerous when it fails. That could be through disturbance, damage or just reaching the end of its lifespan. As such, it’s a ticking time bomb that needs to be dealt with.
Because disturbing or damaging the material can release harmful fibres, asbestos removal is a lengthy, complex process which has to be carried out by certified specialists. An asbestos roof covering is an alternative to removal, which can still keep your site safe.
It works by encapsulating the hazardous material. This prevents fibres being released, which is the cause of various health issues associated with asbestos. As such, it makes the asbestos safe without the need to remove it from your building.
How long your asbestos roof covering lasts depends on what is used to cover it. Some materials will be guaranteed for a few years, after which the asbestos will need further work.
SprayCork is a long-lasting solution which has been certified for the safe encapsulation of asbestos. It comes with a 15-year warranty for asbestos encapsulation, meaning you won’t need to worry about fibres being released for this entire period.
In truth, a cork coating can last around 200 years on average. However, to stay on the safe side, surfaces should be resprayed before the end of the 15-year warranty to make sure the asbestos stays encapsulated.
If you’re weighing up whether to use an asbestos roof covering or have it removed, it’s worth considering these factors:
Full asbestos removal is a lengthy process, during which your site will typically need to be vacated. That means several days of downtime for your business or tenants. In contrast, an asbestos roof covering can be spray applied without the need to close your site for days on end.
Complete asbestos removal will cost more than an asbestos roof covering because of how time consuming the process is. Not to mention that only licensed asbestos removal companies can complete the work, meaning there’s less competition to drive costs down.
The obvious advantage of asbestos removal is that it only needs to be completed once. However, the minimal cost and disruption of an asbestos roof covering often outweighs this standalone benefit. Choosing a product with a long warranty like SprayCork ensures that you get the best of both worlds – a simple, cost-effective process with peace of mind for several years.
If you need to encapsulate asbestos on your roof, contact CorkSol today. Our flagship SprayCork coating has been certified for asbestos encapsulation with a 15-year warranty as standard. To arrange a quote, call 01484 442420 or email [email protected].
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