Back in the day, it was very common to see buildings covered with asbestos roofing sheets in Ghana. Even to date, some old buildings still have them. Asbestos roofing sheets are affordable, hence they are preferred by a lot of people. However, some studies show that asbestos products including asbestos roofing sheets in Ghana have some disadvantages including health hazards which we will learn about in this article.
What are asbestos roofing sheets?
Asbestos roofing sheets are typically made from cement and white asbestos fibres called Chrysotile. They are also referred to as “fibro” or “AC sheets”. Asbestos roofing sheets were originally made as roofing sheets for houses meant for the military but after a while, civilians began to use them for their houses and other buildings.
Corrugated asbestos sheets and asbestos flat sheets are two common asbestos roofing sheets in Ghana.
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Corrugated asbestos sheets
Corrugated asbestos sheets are commonly used for residential buildings and industrial buildings. They are made in wavy form with ridges that make them rigid and strong. Like corrugated metal panels, corrugated asbestos sheets are used for other purposes like wall sliding.
Asbestos flat sheet
Asbestos flat sheet, as the name suggests, is usually flat and smooth. They come in white to grey colours and they can be used for both external and internal projects.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of asbestos roofing sheets in Ghana?
There are so many advantages of asbestos roofing sheets in Ghana. They are solid and suitable for all weather conditions. However, there have been calls from experts including doctors who have called for the ban on asbestos roofing sheets because of the health risks they pose.
Advantages of asbestos roofing sheets
- Asbestos roofing sheets are very cost-effective and easy to maintain.
- They are durable and can withstand all weather conditions.
Disadvantages of asbestos roofing sheets
- A major disadvantage of asbestos roofing sheets is that they can cause lung diseases and cancer when inhaled. This usually happens when the roof is tampered with during repairs or cleaning. The issue has been of major concern to a lot of people hence some countries have banned the use of asbestos roofing sheets.
- Due to the health risks that asbestos roofing sheets pose, it is required that it is removed from buildings that have them installed. The problem here is that because asbestos roofing sheets are dangerous to humans, they require special equipment and expertise to be removed. And it is pricey!
- Just like it is difficult to remove them, repairing asbestos roofing sheets is risky. If repairs are not done well, the asbestos fibres could be released into the air.
- Finding skilled personnel to properly install, repair, or maintain asbestos roofing sheets in Ghana can be difficult. Most roofing companies shy away from anything related to asbestos roofing sheets because of how complicated it is to install without endangering the health of others.
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Are asbestos roofing sheets used in Ghana?
Research into the continuous use of asbestos roofing sheets in Ghana shows that 1200 housing units constructed by state-owned construction companies between 1976 and 2000 were roofed with asbestos roofing sheets. In 2005 and 2013 there were publications and warnings about the health hazards of asbestos roofing sheets in Ghana and the need for it to be banned in the country.
Fast forward to 2022, there is no known ban on the use of asbestos roofing sheets yet but they are not in use like they were in times past. This could be a result of the emergence of new roofing sheets or the fact that people have taken heed to the warnings and are doing away with asbestos roofing sheets. It does not also mean that the roofing sheets are no longer in use. Some old buildings are still covered with asbestos roofing sheets presently as was mentioned in the early part of the article.
Which roofing sheet is a better option to asbestos roofing sheets?
As you can see from the above paragraphs, the disadvantages of using asbestos roofing sheets far outweigh the advantages. It is quite understandable that in the past, many preferred asbestos roofing sheets in Ghana. It was cheaper than other roofing sheets and way stronger. But it is not worth risking your health. That is why we at Rosa roofing system ensure that we supply the best quality stone-coated metal tiles (Eurotiles) for every building.
Rosa stone-coated metal tiles and shingles are made from high-grade Aluzinc stone-coated metal with a new coating technology to meet ISO 9001 standards. All our stone-coated metal tiles and shingles are original meaning they cannot be imitated thanks to our costing technology.
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Rosa roof tiles are designed to overlap and interlock into a horizontal fix system. These fastenings are done at right angles creating a roof structure of superior strength that can withstand hurricanes, earthquakes, severe weather conditions such as heavy rains, UV light, and dry and hot weather.
Rosa roof tiles can resist fading and corrosion because of their natural stone-coated chip outer surface. They are a healthy alternative for asbestos roofing sheets in Ghana. Our products are all made from stone-coated aluzinc. They include Rosa Milano tiles, Rosa shake tiles, Rosa shingle tiles, and Rosa heritage tiles. We also deal in the repair, construction, and maintenance of roofing sheets and other construction needs. Get in touch with us now for all your roofing needs.