Asbestos shingle cleaning

Asbestos is a sketchy subject especialy if you want it removed. Many older homes have asbestos shingles on them and homeowners want them replaced even though they do not leak. They practicly last forever as long as they are not broken. So why replace them just because they look ugly? Lighter shingles turn black and promote algae, moss and even fern growth in the southern states but that is no reason to replace them. They can be safely cleaned without walking on the brittle shingles!

Here is a before and after picture of a recent job. A few weeks later, we treated it one more time to remove the tough areas that remained after the first two applications.

These are not for the begginer, they soak up a ton of solution, they need a strong mix and need to be priced accordingly. If you run into one of these an need a few pointers please feel free to give me a call.

DSCF5150.JPG


DSCF5153.JPG
 
I have a bunch around here in VA but all the people don't seem to care about the black color with the garden growing on the shingles. If I can ever convince one to have them cleaned I will give you a call.
 
There are still some asbestos shingles left here in Tampa. And, like Ray said, they practically last forever. I have cleaned a few asbestos shingle roofs, and here is what I have found. Sometimes they will clean up, sometimes they wont, no matter how strong the solution is, or how many times I re applied. So, I never make promises to the customer, on these kinds of roofs. I try to under promise, and over deliver.
I always use at least some TSP in my mix when cleaning an asbestos shingle roof, and I go strong too, stronger then I do for even a Tile Roof.

Like Ray said, these asbestos roofs can flat suck up the chemicals, so price them accordingly!
I have found it useful to wet the side I am doing down with water first, and then spray it with a strong roof cleaning solution.

When we are asked to clean an asbestos shingle roof, we price it at MORE then we do for the same size tile roof. This is because it will usually take more and stronger roof cleaning chemical, to get it as clean as it is going to get.
 
Back
Top