Asbestos roofing has a traditional style, and you don’t see it quite often. But if you happen to have one, you know it tends to leak sometimes. It has never been easier to repair a leaking asbestos roof. Self-seal cracks with the highly durable foil-backed butyl tape. This tough rubber tape seals leaks instantly and protects the interior of your home from further damage. Combine with a primer and cleaning solution for a long-lasting repair, both of which are included in the kit.
So, in that case, do you know how to repair a leaking asbestos roof? Let’s go over a guide that you can follow to repair the leaks by yourself.
Asbestos roof repair DANGERS
Asbestos was regarded as a miracle material during the twentieth century, and it was widely used in the construction industry for a variety of projects.
Prior to its classification as a serious health hazard due to the non-biodegradable nature of its fibers, asbestos was the material of choice for the construction of industrial roofs due to its durability and fire-proof qualities.
Despite the fact that the use of asbestos in construction has been completely banned in the US for the past twenty years, asbestos roofs are still a common feature on many older roofs.
Asbestos may have a scary reputation now that the full extent of its toxic nature is known, but official advice states that the safest course of action is to leave it alone unless damaged.
When asbestos is damaged, however, it can pose a serious health risk and must be addressed as soon as possible. Any damage, such as improper roof access, will result in the release of fibers. This damage should be repaired as soon as possible with roof coverings or a specially designed sealant.
Repairing the Smaller Leak
First of all, you need to find the spot that’s leaking. Then, clean the whole place with plenty of water. And then use a dry towel to soak the water off and also take out any dirt that’s sticking.
Start by applying some sealer on the crack. Make sure to cover it properly and apply the product a little more. Once it’s fixed in place, you can apply one more layer on top of it. That will ensure the maximum effective sealing for your asbestos roof.
Take note that in most cases, the roof is going to leak on the pipes, or bolt fixes as well. To fix that, you can simply apply some Liquaseal non-sag sealer on the affected spot. That will do the trick for good and seal the leak.
Also, after you finish, make sure to take out the excess sealer with a knife to give the roof a great finish. That’s going to make sure that your roof looks and feels as good as new.
Repairing the Broader Cracks
You can just apply some sealer paint and fix a broad crack. For that, you need a completely different type of tools and skills as well. Let’s go over the method to do it.
First of all, you need to clear the hole and dry it just like the previous method. Once you’re done, you can move onto the next steps.
You need to apply Liquasil ONE around the hole and make sure that it’s a good amount. It should cover somewhere around 200mm around the hole.
Then you are ready to use the polyester fleece. Make sure to use a generous amount of polyester fleece on the hole and use a paper roller. You should be using that until the fleece bleeds through the layer.
Then, apply another thick layer of Liqasil ONE on top of it. That’s going to seal the crack for good.
But if an entire part of the asbestos roof is broken, you’d have to use Liquasil ONE and hold the pieces together with your hands. After that, you can apply the polyester fleece to seal it in place. That’s going to be all you need to do.
When repairing asbestos cement roof damage with sealants or localized repairs isn’t an option, you could consider overcladding, which involves putting a new roof (usually metal) on top of the old one. This is a tried-and-true method for repairing asbestos roofs, and it is the second-best option after coating.
Conclusion
As you saw, none of those are permanent fixes for the leaks. They are great for emergencies. But if you want to fix it for good, you should consult a roof repair service as soon as you can. They will fix it up for good with just a small charge for it.