Repairs: roofs and rainwater goods

Asbestos cement roofs and particularly profiled sheet metal roofing can be prone to heavy condensation build-up on the underside of the roof. Consequently it is common to find insulation board applied to the underside of the roof.

In properties constructed before about the mid-1990s there is a high chance that this will contain a degree of asbestos, so considerable care is required (see Problem 15).

Solution

Over- or under-cladding/lining may provide a temporary solution: that is, old materials can be left in place and a new suspended ceiling or insulation lining fitted over.

Ensure that appropriate records are kept to identify the material hidden beneath, and design any solution with an eye on the future so that everything can be safely removed later – particularly if asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) have been covered over. Maintenance teams will need to know of its presence.

Appropriate detailing for health and safety can substantially increase the cost even if the insulation layer is not apparently defective at present.