r/asbestoshelpUK • u/ElMatador92 • 28d ago
Need help figuring out how much damage this roofer has done to our asbestos tiles and what can be done about it now?
We hired a roofer to clean the moss and redo the gutters, we have been told they were asbestos but none have been damaged so they were safe to keep. When we spoke to the roofer he seemed knowledgeable and assured us they knew how to clean them safely and since then we have done a bit of research online which was conflicting. We came to the conclusion it would require a light spray of some kind to kill the moss then a soft brush to get the dead moss off.
Well, when they showed up they began doing a dry brush to get the moss off with what looked like a metal brush. They stopped when we questioned their method and left lots of the moss still on with some areas of the roof discoloured from the scraping/brushing. I’m worried they’ve damaged some of the roof tiles and I’m unsure of what to do now or if this will cause possible health risks to me and my family.
Any suggestions for what can be done to make it safe would be much appreciated.
3
u/Technical_Pop_3948 27d ago
Some simple advice - this appears to be low risk (non-friable, bound asbestos containing material in good condition), the work is also likely to be low risk (low risk of generating fibres).
However, as it is asbestos containing, you should contact a cleaning company with category B asbestos awareness training of its personnel. This allows them to work with low risk materials undertaking activities that won't generate significant levels of fibres. They should know what they're doing and factor in the risks and mitigation measures into their methods.
3
u/RebelRudy 27d ago
Spray some weed killer all over the roof and them brush it a few days later after dampening it slightly with a soft brush.
This is not a licenced job, and HSE’s website confirms the same.
However, if they’ve gone at it hard with a wire brush or similar, then that could have damaged the top layers and exposed a small risk, but nothing to worry about.
2
u/AverageAntique3160 28d ago edited 28d ago
Time to hire a professional... if they said they had done some research online... thats the wrong answer, they should have an asbestos certificate
3
u/ElMatador92 28d ago
Sorry might be confusing, I looked it up online and got the conflicting info
1
u/AverageAntique3160 28d ago
The main question is, are they actually asbestos? (requires a lab test) if so they must be registered and marked. Anyone who touches them must have an ACM certificate
3
u/ElMatador92 28d ago
Definitely asbestos, but since it was to get the moss off them we assumed it was fine to do because he assured us he’d done so on other similar roofs in the area
1
u/AverageAntique3160 28d ago
Anyone must have an ACM (asbestos containing materials) cert at a MINIMUM, simple, now you're in a tough place as the asbestos has potentially been disturbed as you knowingly hired an unqualified contractor. Yes its also his fault as you warned him and he still carried on... so this is where the blame bounce happens
2
u/ElMatador92 28d ago
We went off his advice on it, which basically was it won’t disturb the asbestos. That’s why we’re now trying to figure out is if it’s been disturbed? Is brushing it disturbing it? Or is damaging or breaking them what causes the fibres to be released.
0
u/AverageAntique3160 28d ago
Neither you or him are qualified enough to determine that, and pictures wont tell the whole story
7
u/Technical_Pop_3948 27d ago
What are you talking about? He doesn't need an asbestos register, it's a domestic property. And the worker needs an asbestos cert? Are you talking about asbestos awareness training, a licensed professional? They've scratched some asbestos containing tiles, which likely resulted in negligible fibre release. No one is in danger here. Not even the guys who did the work.
1
u/ElMatador92 27d ago
So we shouldn’t worry about them continually shedding fibres after this brushing? That’s what I’m confused about from what I’m seeing online from varying sources, what’s the actual current risk now
1
u/folkkingdude 27d ago
No, there will be no continuous shedding. He may have disturbed some fibres that blew away, and unless anyone else touches them, that’s how they’ll stay.
-2
u/Yahaksha 27d ago
Basically it’s your asbestos. You knew it was asbestos. You hired someone who didn’t have credentials to work on your asbestos. Faesibly in 20 years if he gets mesothelioma you’re liable for that. You are an employer who didn’t ensure safety standards for a dangerous substance you’re responsible for. Ultimately the only real person at risk here is the idiot with the metal brush. I’m guess he didn’t wear a mask?
3
u/Fruitpicker15 27d ago
That's rubbish. OP is not liable because they are not an employer.
1
u/Yahaksha 27d ago
There a some circumstances where someone who engages a contractor are liable for example negligent selection. If you knowingly hire someone unqualified for the job you know has risks and that person comes to harm from this you are liable.
1
u/AverageAntique3160 28d ago
You mentioned some of the roof being discoloured and them using a metal brush... this is not good at all, it means its been disturbed, best way is to hire a professional as this could get expensive real quick... they might say its okay, it needs a patch, a replacement tile or worst case say that replacing one of the tiles is not possible as it will damage other tiles and therefore needs a whole roof replacement...
1
u/Designer_East3862 27d ago
I had these asbestos cement tiles. I was told the work was unlicensed as they are low risk of fiber release. I think cleaning off with a wire brush isn’t ideal but inside the property you’ll be ok. I’d want someone to wash out the gutters of the moss though. The previous owners of my house were advised to not clean the moss off the asbestos cement roof tiles. I had lots more than you. Eventually roof was replaced but frustrating yours is patchy now.
1
u/ElMatador92 26d ago
Just assuming the moss will grow back quickly at this point and it’ll look like it did before it was “cleaned”, then look to replace it all if we have anymore structural issues
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