Do I Need Asbestos Abatement in Torrance Before Tackling a Roof Replacement?

Now that the wetter weather is mostly behind us, it’s time to look ahead at roof replacement. This is a great time to get the shingles repaired, but you may have concerns about asbestos. Do you need to look into asbestos abatement in Torrance before getting the roof replacement done?

Not necessarily. While it is always good to make sure your home doesn’t have asbestos in it, you may not need this as part of the roof replacement. It all depends on the type of work that is being done.

Is the Issue All on the Outside of the House?

Where is the issue for your roof repair? Do you just want the damaged shingles replaced after a hard winter? Maybe you’re looking at repairing the gutters or getting rid of the damage from ice dams that formed. All this work is on the outside of the house, so you probably won’t need the asbestos abatement in Torrance first.

The asbestos was used in building materials on the inside of the house. You’ll usually find it in insulation and drywall rather than in the roofing on the outside. So, as long as the work is for leaks in the shingles, around skylights, or even around chimneys and vents, then you can keep the costs down.

If the roof repair team is worried about work being done inside, they will ask you about any asbestos checks that you’ve had done. Only then will you need to consider it for this type of work.

Inside Work Will Likely Need Asbestos Abatement in Torrance

There are times when the work ends up being more extensive. This is often the case when it’s more than just repairing the damaged shingles. If the damage got into the old roofing felt and underlayment, it could lead to work being done on the inside of the house. This affects the older building materials that wouldn’t have otherwise been disrupted.

It can also depend on the type of shingles that were used. Roofs are usually replaced every few decades, which likely means that there was already work done before you moved in. However, if you have the original asbestos cement shingles, then you’ll need to get the work done. The roofers will be able to tell you.

If you find that any textured ceiling materials were water damaged or if the insulation in the attic needs replacing as well, asbestos checks are necessary. Anything that disrupts the inside materials can lead to the asbestos materials becoming airborne, and this leads to potential health risks.

It’s not usually the leak that is the problem for setting off the asbestos fibers. It’s the repair work that is needed. You’ll likely need another team for asbestos abatement in Torrance before the roofers can get to work, and they will let you know if this is a risk. Start with the roofers, though, as they’ll be able to inspect the materials and determine what needs to be disrupted and what can be left for the repair work.