Was Asbestos Paper Ever Used on Roofs?


Just about everyone now knows the dangers of being exposed to asbestos. Most notably, it can cause mesothelioma, which is a type of cancer in the lining of the lungs. Unfortunately, it was a very popular material that was used for decades to strengthen cement and other materials, as well as to increase fire resistance. It has been commonly found in insulation, walls, and other structural areas of the home, but was it ever used on roofs?

Asbestos was indeed used in roofs for several decades. From the 1940s to the 1970s, asbestos was used in tar paper as well as in shingles and tiles to increase strength and fire resistance. The risks of having asbestos in your roof is worth having it removed. It must be done right, however, which is why you should call a professional to have it removed. If done incorrectly, it can even damage your heath during the removal process.

If you had a home that was built during the period of the 1940s to the 1970s or a roof that was installed during this time, you should have your roof inspected to check if asbestos was used in the construction of the roof.

Fixing a Buckling Roof

Let’s face it, buckling roofs look terrible. Over the course of owning a roof, the decking can move underneath the shingles, causing the roof to buckle. This is usually caused by faulty materials or poor installation. A buckling roof is easy to spot from the ground (usually) due to the wavy look of the roof. A roof that has buckled can pose a threat to the occupants of the building and can hurt the resale value of the property, which is why fixing a buckling roof is very important.

What happens beneath the shingles when a roof buckles is the plywood decking breaks or shifts and ends up pushing up on the shingles. The decking is the base layer of your roof, so fixing a roof that has buckled can be difficult and time-consuming.

Always, always hire a professional roofer to fix a buckling roof. All layers of the roof must be removed to fix a buckled roof since the problem must be identified and fixed down at the decking level. Additionally, buckling may be caused by poor installation and mismeasurement of decking during installation. This is a nasty project, requiring the whole roof to be replaced. The large amounts of labor and experience required to complete these projects necessitate a professional.

How Do I Tell How Many Layers of Roofing are on My House?

When purchasing a home, you may only be checking the roof to see if it’s in good enough shape. Over time, you will probably want to learn more about your roof. When was it installed? What materials were used in its installation? How many layers were used? These are all very valid questions to ask, and the first two can be pretty easy to find out. The last one, however, may seem like a challenge to find out, which I why we are here to help.

There are a couple of things to look for to find out how many layers of roofing are on your house. One way you can tell if a roof has multiple layers is by observing it from the ground. The roof may appear kind of lumpy, and even more so around vents, flues, and skylights.

Another thing to observe is the edge of your roof. You can climb a ladder and look at the very edge of your roof’s shingles. If you can see four layers of shingles, that is indicative that your roof was roofed over. This can shorten the life of the roof and weigh it down even though it is usually within the spectrum of what the codes will allow.

Slate Roofing Maintenance and Repair


Slate roofing is a great looking roof that is very popular around the world. These roofs are made up of slate tiles and have more benefits than just their beauty. They can last for at least 100 years, are fire resistant, and are environmentally-friendly since they are made from a natural material. Despite their benefits and beauty, however, they are quite heavy and must be well-maintained. Here are a few tips for slate roof maintenance.

One of the most common repairs needed on slate roofs is the replacement of tiles. Since slate is heavy, it is prone to slipping and chipping, especially during strong storms, so replacement is vital to protecting your roof and keeping it looking great.

Most repair needed outside of the replacement of the slate is very common. Flashing should be carefully watched to make sure it is not damaged, as this can lead to severe water damage. Additionally, gutters should be regularly cleaned to maintain optimal drainage.

Many problems can be difficult for homeowners to spot since the problem may be hidden. Make sure to have an annual inspection performed by a roofing professional so your slate roof stays in shape.

Shingles and Roads

Asphalt roofing has been the most popular roofing choice for decades. Not only do they look great and perform well, but they are also inexpensive. The great performance and low cost have, unfortunately, led to widespread usage of a product that is not very environmentally-friendly. Since the materials in asphalt shingles are not natural, they must either be dumped at the end of their lifespan or another function must be found. Recycling has provided another function.

Roads are made with essentially the same materials as asphalt shingles. With recycling, this means old asphalt shingles can be repurposed for laying roads. In the past, recycling old asphalt shingles for roads resulting in lower costs, so there was incentive. However, in recent years, the price of oil has decreased so much that there is no longer a financial incentive to use old shingles over traditional materials.

However, public roads are not the only places recycled shingles can be used. These shingles can be used by homeowners to repave their driveways or any other area on their property on which they want to lay a new surface.

Recycling old shingles can save you money on projects while also saving the environment. If you have no purpose for your old roof when you have a new one installed, talk to your roofer about having it recycled.

If you have any further questions regarding asbestos use, you can contact us at 918-404-5996.

Outdoor Creations Roofing is located at 1924 W Albany Street in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.