What To Know About Asbestos Roof Replacement - Pacific Coast Roofing Service

Asbestos was a common addition to roofing materials made from 1940 until the product was banned in 1978. As a result, any roof installed before 1978 should be inspected to determine whether it contains asbestos.

Be Smart About Asbestos

If so, roof replacement is essential to protect the health and well-being of building occupants and our environment.

What is an Asbestos Roof?

Asbestos was popular when it hit the market in the 1940s because it was highly heat- and fire–resistant. It made perfect sense to use it in cement products, as well as home insulation and other roofing products as a way to prevent fire damage. Unfortunately, it turned out that once asbestos products begin to break down, their microscopic mineral fibers become airborne, penetrate the lungs and cause cancer, as well as other respiratory issues. They can also be swallowed if they enter the mouth and throat.

Once that information came to light, namely as the result of serious health side effects present in insulation and roofing contractors who worked with asbestos materials, asbestos products were outlawed entirely in 1978.

However, there are plenty of older homes that still have asbestos products as part of their structural contents, and licensed contractors are the only ones who should replace them to prevent unnecessary exposure and potential harm.

Why Should I Replace an Asbestos Roof that Still Works?

The good news about asbestos roofing materials is they were durable. The bad news is that even small breakdowns in the materials or their structure (such as a leak, crack, or penetration) release the toxic particles, which can cause respiratory issues for yourself and other building occupants. Your health and safety are the first priorities.

Another factor worth considering if you have an old or historic home is that resale value may suffer if you don’t replace the roof. Most homeowners aren’t interested in replacing the roof in a new home, so replacing it now may expedite – or increase the total sales price – when you’re ready to sell your home or business.

Only Use Licensed Professionals with Adequate Safety Equipment

As you can imagine, it requires great care to remove and clean up an asbestos roof replacement. Workers are covered from head-to-toe and wear top-dollar masks with respirators. The site must be meticulously controlled and contained to trap and isolate asbestos materials and scraps, so they are appropriately disposed of at designated toxic waste dump sites.

Steps required for removing and replacing an asbestos roof include:

Pulling the proper building permits and adhering to local regulations. The state of California has very clear regulations regarding the removal and replacement of asbestos products. It also requires pulling a special permit, which is signed off at various stages by a local building inspector.
Wearing the right safety gear. Workers are vulnerable to inhaling asbestos particles, so we take extra special precautions, including wearing an asbestos-proof respirator, to ensure our safety on the job site.
Sealing or encapsulating the asbestos. We do this with a combination of designated sealants that are applied to keep the disruption of asbestos particles to a minimum while we’re cutting away and removing roofing parts.
Covering the materials. Plastic sheeting is used as an additional barrier to protect any released particles from getting into the interior air space and/or the environment. We also wet down all of the materials to prohibit asbestos particles from being airborne. Once removed, we bag them up for disposal at specific, licensed locations.

As you can imagine, there is no point in repairing an asbestos roof. The risk is too high, and odds are your 40+–year-old asbestos roof is in dire need of replacement anyway.

Schedule an Inspection If You Suspect Your Roof Has Asbestos

If your roof was installed after 1978, there is no need to worry. It’s unlikely to contain asbestos. If, however, you suspect your home or commercial building has an asbestos roof, we recommend contacting a local, licensed roofing professional and schedule an inspection.

Then you’ll know for sure whether or not it’s time to move forward with a replacement. And, if not, it’s still worth your while because an annual roof inspection is part of sound, roof maintenance protocol.

Let Us Help Keep You Safe

Would you like to determine whether you have an asbestos roof or not? Contact us here at Pacific Coast Roofing Service to schedule an inspection. (510) 912-5454.

Eva Tucker

2022-11-11

After a storm, I asked Pacific coast roofing service to inspect our roof for any damage or leak. Brian was very responsive and provided an honest evaluation of the roof. My roof required minimal work, which was provided by their company. I highly recommend them to anyone here in El Sobrante who needs their roof to be inspected/repaired.

P Herron

2022-11-04

I reviewed Pacific Coast a few years ago when they installed our new roof. They did excellent work then and still do. We had a disastrous exterior fire in September most likely due to PG&E equipment. Our local fire department chopped a hole in our roof to make sure there was no heat or flames inside the house. We weren’t on the schedule but Brian promised to work us in and get the job done before the winter rains. He kept his promise sending his carpenter to replace the charred fascia and roofers to patch the hole. I will always enthusiastically recommend Pacific Coast Roofing without reservation!

Hariett Davis

2022-10-29

I tried two previous times to get my roof repaired with other companies without success. Pacific Coast Roofing was able to work very fast with my insurance and the inspector to get the roof repair approved. Scheduling the work was easy and fast after. The crew came in promptly as scheduled and worked quickly and thoroughly. They made sure all my requests were met.

Jonathan Morton

2022-10-11

The experience with Pacific Coast Roofing was nothing less than exceptional! We worked with Brian who was perfectly attentive throughout the entire process. He came out personally to check and they made temporary repairs until we could have the entire roof replaced. The crew performing the replacement was extremely fast. Very professional experience at a very reasonable price. We highly recommend them! Thank you, Brian and team!

Adriana Hammond

2022-09-27

We hired Pacific Coast Roofing to handle a large job with a mix of flat and shingled roofing on an old building. Brian was incredible. He worked around our schedule and finished in a timely manner. Very happy with the finished product. They were upfront with their pricing and kept in touch when additional repairs were needed. I would highly recommend this company for any roofing needs.

Bruce Gill

2022-09-14

Pacific Coast Roofing and Brian were great. They were very communicative and they even helped me file the insurance claim. In addition, Brian was present during the whole process of repairs. I love the roof they installed on my house and would recommend them to others. The install crew was timely, professional and did a great job of cleaning up afterwards. Overall, I had a 5/5 experience and will definitely go back to them for future repairs, if needed.

Sylvia Dominguez

2022-08-23

I cannot express enough how wonderful Brian and Pacific Coast Roofing were to work with. They offered exceptional service in the installation and repairs while coordinating with our insurance company for the claim following a storm. Brian went above and beyond for any queries or problems we had. If you're looking for a roofing contractor in El Sobrante, I'd strongly recommend them, esp. Brian.

Davian Cook

2022-07-23

I cannot say enough about the dedication that Brian put in to inspect our roof. He had several adversities to make his appointment with us, but he still made the effort to go out of his way just to help us. He exceeded our expectations. He was very personable and polite. His knowledge about the industry is superb and his personality is remarkable.

Catherine Smith

2022-07-11

Brian of Pacific Coast Roofing was positively wonderful to work with and he made sure everything was completed to perfection every step of the way. He helped me choose the best roofing material, shingle color, gutter color, provided subcontractors to paint and repair the interior damage, replace chimney caps, and everything that needed to be done to restore my home in excellent condition after suffering damage. I would recommend them to anyone. They exude integrity and honesty in their dealings, both with the homeowner and insurance company. They made an otherwise frustrating situation into a positive experience, and I know they will stand by the work they performed.

steve taugner

2022-06-07

I rarely leave reviews but I have nothing but good things to say about Brian and this company. If there is anything negative at all its you cant reach them by phone. The work looks great and they were prompt, courteous and did a good clean up. I will use them again.