Why Homeowners Must Treat Every Decramastic Roof as Asbestos‑Containing (Because Most Are). For Further Advice call John 0212225246

Why Homeowners Need To Treat Decramastic Roofs as Asbestos‑Containing (Because the Consequences Are No Joke)

If you own a home in New Zealand with a decramastic roof — those pressed metal tiles from the 70s, 80s and early 90s — you’re sitting on something most people don’t realise: asbestos. Not “maybe”, not “possibly”, but highly likely. And pretending it’s not there doesn’t make it disappear. It just makes the fallout worse.

This isn’t fear‑mongering. It’s straight‑up reality for thousands of Kiwi homes.

Let’s break down why it matters, what can go wrong, and why treating these roofs like asbestos from the start is the smartest move you can make.

1. Decramastic Roofs Were Manufactured With Asbestos — Full Stop

Back in the day, asbestos was the miracle ingredient. It made coatings tough, fire‑resistant, and long‑lasting. So manufacturers slapped it into the bitumen coating on decramastic tiles.

Fast‑forward 40+ years and that coating is now:

• brittle
• flaking
• breaking down
• releasing fibres when disturbed

If you brush it, waterblast it, walk on it, cut it, or even just let it deteriorate — you’re potentially releasing asbestos fibres into the air.

2. The Big Problem: Homeowners Don’t Know What They’re Walking On

Most homeowners think decramastic roofs are “just old metal tiles”. They’re not.

The danger isn’t the tiles themselves — it’s the coating. And that coating is exactly what breaks down first.

If you’ve ever seen:

• bald patches
• flaky black residue
• powdery coating
• tiles that crumble when handled

…that’s the asbestos‑containing layer degrading.

3. What Happens If You Don’t Treat It as Asbestos

Here’s where things get real.For Further Advice call John 0212225246 from PropertyHelp

You can contaminate your entire property

One wrong move — waterblasting, sanding, grinding, reroofing without controls — and fibres spread into:

• gutters
• gardens
• soil
• insulation
• your neighbour’s place

Once asbestos fibres are loose, they don’t magically disappear. They settle everywhere.

You can expose your family to asbestos fibres

Asbestos‑related diseases don’t show up tomorrow. They show up decades later.

Mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer — all linked to inhalation of airborne fibres.

You can accidentally break the law

In NZ, homeowners can only remove up to 10m² of non‑friable asbestos. Decramastic roofs are:

• usually far larger
• often friable due to age
• easily damaged
• unsafe to handle without proper gear

If you disturb more than 10m² or the material is friable, you’re legally required to use a licensed asbestos removalist.

You can void insurance

If contamination occurs because you “didn’t know”, insurers don’t care. They care about:

• compliance
• proper handling
• whether you followed the law

DIY asbestos mistakes can cost tens of thousands to fix.

You can blow your reroofing budget

Roofers who don’t specialise in asbestos will walk away the moment they see decramastic tiles. Or worse — they’ll disturb it accidentally, leaving you with a contaminated site and a much bigger bill.

4. Why Treating It as Asbestos From the Start Saves You Money, Stress, and Risk

When you assume the roof contains asbestos, you:

• avoid contamination
• avoid illegal DIY mistakes
• avoid exposing your family
• avoid blowing out your reroofing budget
• avoid insurance headaches
• avoid unsafe cowboy contractors

A proper asbestos removalist will:

• test the roof
• set up safe removal controls
• remove the tiles without releasing fibres
• decontaminate the site
• clear the area for reroofing

It’s the difference between a controlled job and a disaster.

5. The Bottom Line for Homeowners

If your home has decramastic tiles, treat them as asbestos until proven otherwise. It’s not paranoia — it’s smart, safe, and legally sound.

Ignoring it doesn’t save you money. It just delays the bill and multiplies the risk.

For Further Advice call John 0212225246