Slate Roof Tiles Asbestos

Health safety concerns related to the removal of asbestos containing roofs.

Slate roof tiles asbestos.

Is your slate roof really asbestos. Asbestos tiles can be cut with a slate cutter some of which in fact were originally manufactured to cut asbestos tiles. Asbestos roof tiles can be dangerous. This is because until the 1980s asbestos was not fully recognised to be hazardous to the health of anyone exposed to its fibres.

Older building have a higher probability of containing asbestos building materials. Over time asbestos shingled roofs take on a weathered appearance that looks a lot like slate. You can also put holes in asbestos tiles by using a small masonry drill bit 3 16 inch for example. The main reason why asbestos roof tiles need to be replaced by safer alternatives is that the asbestos fibers used to build the material pose a health hazard when inhaled and when they come into contact with the skin.

The asbestos fibers inside slates can only be released when they are broken and this roofing material does not necessarily require removal although many people choose to do it. Their color ranges between grey light green peachy orange and even purple. Asbestos roof tiles were used from the early 1920s all the way in to the late 1980s.