What happens when you burn asphalt shingles?
What should a professional roofer do?
What is the most affordable roofing material?
Why do shingles need to be inspected by the International Building Code?
What is the healthiest roofing material?
What is the job of a roofing contractor?
What is the purpose of a roof?
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Are roof shingles hazardous?
Modern shingles can be toxic during installation, but they will usually not be harmful unless you're trying to collect potable rainwater from the roof; chemical constituents in the shingles can find their way into the run-off water. Other than that, shingles themselves are not necessarily toxic per se.
Are asphalt shingles toxic waste?
Asphalt shingles are the most affordable and most common option for roofing. However, there's a misconception that they are potentially toxic. We're here to put that rumor to rest. Though asphalt seems like a dangerous substance, it's can only produce toxic fumes when heated.
Can roofing shingles go to the dump?
Dump the Shingles Yourself Want to dispose of asphalt shingles from a small roof repair on your own? You can haul roofing materials to a local landfill.
What can I do with extra roof shingles?
Donate or Recycle Your roofer may be willing to take the roofing shingles if you don't want to keep them. Or, there are several organizations that may accept them; IBEX Roof donates our leftover materials to Habitat for Humanity.
Is roofing debris toxic?
Are Roofing Shingles Hazardous Waste? Harzardous waste is notable because they need to be separated from landfill tipping. Because of this all shingles with the exception of asbestos shingles are considered non-hazardous waste.
Is asphalt from roof toxic?
While asphalt shingles are considered safe in terms of groundwater and leachate contamination (they do not contain heavy metals or toxic chemicals based on groundwater leachate testing), all roofs, regardless of materials used, collect environmental contaminants that may render the water run-off unfit for human ...
Are old roof shingles recycled?
Roofing shingles can be recycled, reducing the amount of construction waste in landfills. Recycled material made from old roofing shingles can be used in a variety of applications, such as asphalt roadways.
How long does it take for roofing shingles to decompose?
300 yearsEvery year, the United States averages 11 million tons in shingle waste, with around 8.8 million tons coming from the country's most popular residential roofing material: asphalt shingles. It can take up to 300 years for asphalt shingles to completely decompose, so recycling is a great way to reduce waste.
Can you burn shingles?
Asphalt shingles, the most common type of roofing shingle, are flammable and can be burned; however, it is likely illegal to do so. Asphalt shingles are comprised of petroleum which makes them flammable but also toxic. Because of this it is often illegal to burn shingles.
Should I keep old shingles?
While a repair job can often be more convenient and somewhat more cost-efficient, placing new shingles over old ones is never a good idea. Whether repairing one section of roof, or a replacing a whole one, it's always best to pull up the old shingles before putting down the new ones.
Do old roofs have asbestos?
In the past, asbestos fibers were added during the production of roofing and siding materials to strengthen them, to increase their durability, and to provide a limited amount of insulation and fireproofing to your home. The use of asbestos in roofing and siding materials has declined rapidly since the early 1980s.
How many times can you reroof a roof?
As mentioned above, homeowners are legally limited to two layer of roof shingles. Therefore, if you already have two layers, you'll need a full tear-off. Additionally, if your roof is severely damaged, it likely won't be able to support the weight of a reroof and will need to be torn off.
Why are asphalt shingles bad for the environment?
Industry experts estimate that asphalt shingles take between 300-400 years to fully decompose. Shingles are dense and take up a lot of room, resulted in loss of space for other types of waste. They also can leech chemicals into ground water supplies that can be carcinogenic.
Do asphalt shingles leach chemicals?
While any material is usually acceptable, asphalt shingles may leach toxins and should not be used to collect water for vegetable gardens. ”
Are asphalt shingles compostable?
Asphalt shingles cannot be composted. Burning the used shingles is not the answer either, because asphalt is manufactured from refined petroleum and its incineration results in the emission of gases hazardous to human health.
Are shingles biodegradable?
Asphalt Shingles They are made with paper, and minerals as well as fiberglass, tar, and other petroleum products. Some companies and municipalities make use of discarded asphalt shingles, but for the most part, old shingles are not widely recycled and are not biodegradable.
Is roofing a hazardous waste?
While there are some acceptations, most roofing products are not classified as hazardous waste. Some state and local municipalities are working with roofing companies to offer recycling programs to save space in landfills. In fact, some leading-edge companies are recycling roofing shingles for use as highway and road underlayments.
Is asbestos still used in homes?
Though it is no longer in use today, many homes and building still contain asbestos. In fact, asbestos shingles were the first building product containing the material to be introduced in the United States in the late 19 th century. It was not until the 1980’s that asbestos shingles were no longer used in construction. Because the average lifespan of a shingle roof is 20-30 years, it is very uncommon to find asbestos roofing shingles in the United States today. If you have suspicions, an experienced Denver roofing company can help you determine if your roof singles likely contain asbestos.
Asbestos Removal
Asbestos has been one of those old evils that continue to plague old homes. It is a material that is very dangerous and if not removed with proper care can cause major damage. To identify whether or not your roof has asbestos you can call the manufacturer, look for asbestos markings on the roofing material, or call a certified asbestos inspector.
Burning Shingles
Asphalt shingles are composed of petroleum which makes them flammable and toxic. As such it is illegal to burn shingles. The illegal nature of the action isn’t the only cause for alarm. It is important to note that you are harming the environment by burning shingles. Burnt shingles have the potential to release a multitude of toxins into the air.
Toxic Shingles to Watch Out For
The number one shingle that is cause for concern is any that have asbestos on them. Besides that the other shingle to be concerned about are cedar shakes.
Are Roofing Shingles Hazardous Waste?
Harzardous waste is notable because they need to be separated from landfill tipping. Because of this all shingles with the exception of asbestos shingles are considered non-hazardous waste.
How to Properly Dispose of Shingles
Burning isn’t the way to dispose of your shingles so naturally the question of what is the correct way to dispose of shingles comes to mind. In short, shingles are dangerous because of the release of toxins for the burning of the shingles. As such it is okay to throw away shingles, to a landfill.
How Asphalt Affects Rainwater Collection
Asphalt shingles can potentially fill the collected water with toxins. It is suggested that you use either metal or tile roof if you are planning on collecting water to drink. Keep in mind though that all rainwater should be considered grey water or water that in unsafe to drink while unfiltered.
Can you bury asphalt shingles?
Explanation: Do not bury asphalt shingles. Shingles contain hydrocarbons which are carcinogenic
Is a contractor toxic?
Contractors Corp. Answer: No. Explanation: They are not toxic and can be used in the construction of roads and other recycle d applications. Look First Homes, LLC. Answer: No. Explanation: We do haul off shingles, but since there are weight limitations, we offer that service for smaller jobs. Payless Junk Removal.
How long does it take for shingles to break down?
Shingles take 400 years to break down in a landfill, which is a huge waste when you consider that they can easily be reused. There are composites in asphalt that are beneficial in creating other materials, the biggest being pavement and hot-mix asphalt, which improves cement quality.
What is the purpose of articles being reviewed?
To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.
Can you take asbestos off of asphalt shingles?
If your asphalt shingles contain other harmful substances like asbestos, special precautions should be taken . Anything with asbestos should be handled by the proper waste control authorities, so if you see it when removing your old roofing, stop immediately and call a professional. This way, you will stay safe and you can rest assured that the material will be taken to the proper place for responsible disposal. If you've still seen fit to remove the shingles yourself, do not simply take them to the dump. Call the local authorities for disposal instructions instead.
Do you have to throw away old shingles?
As your home ages, your roofing will need to be replaced and the old shingles will need to be tossed away. Asphalt is one of the most common materials for shingles, and as such, millions of tons of them are thrown out every year.
Can you recycle shingles?
Throw Away. Not all shingles can be recycled or donated, unfortunately. If yours don't meet the guidelines provided by a recycling facility, you will need to arrange for them to be disposed of. With a large amount of waste, it’s easiest to rent a dumpster.
Do you have to remove nails from shingles?
Some places, for example, only allow pre-ground shingles while others will do the cleaning and grinding at the center. No matter the center, there is no need to remove the nails on your own. A powerful magnet takes care of that while they're being recycled.
What is organic shingles?
Roofing shingles are unlike other by-product or secondary materials in that they contain components of fine aggregate, mineral filler, and asphalt cement. There are also differences between the types of shingles (organic and glass felt) produced. As shown in Table 2, organic felt shingles can be expected to exhibit higher moisture content and lower specific gravity than glass felt shingles. Shredded organic felt shingle scrap also exhibits much higher absorption than shredded fiberglass shingle scrap.
What is ASTM D 255-86?
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has specifications for roofing shingles. The specifications, ASTM D 255-86 (Asphalt Shingles [Organic Felt] Surfaced with Mineral Granules) and ASTM D3462-87 (Asphalt Shingles Made from Glass Felt and Surfaced with Mineral Granules) permit the use of a wide range of products.
How are roofing shingles made?
Roofing shingles are produced by impregnating either organic felt produced from cellulose fibers, or glass felt produced from glass fibers, with a hot saturant asphalt, which is subsequently coated on both sides with more asphalt and finally surfaced with mineral granules. Most roofing shingles produced are of the organic felt type. The saturant and coating asphalt need not be the same. Both saturant and coating asphalts are produced by "blowing", a process in which air is bubbled through molten asphalt flux. The heat and oxygen act to change the characteristics of the asphalt. The process is monitored, and the "blowing" is stopped when the desired characteristics have been produced.
What is the largest component of shingles?
The largest component of roofing shingles (60 to 70 percent by mass) is the mineral material. There are several different types in each shingle. (7) They can include ceramic granules (comprising crushed rock particles, typically trap rock, coated with colored, ceramic oxides), lap granules (coal slag ground to roughly the same size as the ceramic granules), backsurfacer sand (washed, natural sand used in small quantities to keep packaged shingles from sticking together), and asphalt stabilizer (powdered limestone that is mixed into the asphalt).
How much asphalt roofing is scrapped?
Approximately 11 million tons of asphalt roofing shingle scrap is generated each year in the United States. (3) There are two types of roofing shingle scraps. They are referred to as tear-off roofing shingles, and roofing shingle tabs, also called prompt roofing shingle scrap. Tear-off roofing shingles are generated during the demolition or replacement of existing roofs. Roofing shingle tabs are generated when new asphalt shingles are trimmed during production to the required physical dimensions or from "out-of-spec" shingles. Roofing shingle tab materials that result from shingle manufacture are estimated to range between 5 to 10% of the total production. Manufacturing shingle scraps production is about 1 million tons per year while tear-off shingle waste production is about 10-11 million tons per year so the manufacturing shingle scrap production is the smaller one.
What is tear off roofing scrap?
(3) The quality of tear-off roofing shingles can vary. Tear-off roofing shingles may contain debris such as nails, wood, paper, and plastic that is removed through processing. The aggregate in scrap shingles can be lost in the weathering process that occurs during the service period. As a result, tear-off scrap may contain more than 30% asphalt by weight. The aged binder in tear-off roofing scrap may also be hard or even brittle, (11) but tear-off shingle is easier to shred than factory scrap.
How are shredded shingles processed?
Shredded shingles are typically discharged from the shredder or hammermill and screened to the desired gradation and stockpiled . Experience indicates that the size of the processed pieces should be no larger than approximately 13 mm (1/2 in) to ensure complete digestion of the roofing shingle scrap and uniform incorporation into the hot mix asphalt. (12) Scrap shingle greater than 13 mm (1/2 in) in size does not readily disperse, functioning much like aggregate. Particles sized too small can release the fibers, which act as a filler substitute (14) Shingles are often passed through processing equipment twice for effective size reduction. (26)
What is Shinglerecycling.org?
Shinglerecycling.org [exit DNR], a website hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal Highway Administration and the Construction Materials Recycling Association that covers advantages and requirements for recycling asphalt shingles into hot mix asphalt and other end uses.
What are the materials that affect asphalt pavement?
Contractors, waste haulers and shingle processors play a key role in providing sorted shingle scrap to asphalt plants with minimum contamination from other materials in roofing debris, such as: wood, metal, cardboard, plastic packaging and shingle nails, which affect pavement acceptability.
What is a transfer of shingles?
Transfer means combining loads of residential asphalt shingles from smaller lugger boxes into larger boxes, at a property other than the job site, in order to haul the combined shingles to distant reuse operations more efficiently .
What is asphalt storage?
Storage means stockpiling residential asphalt shingles (sorted or mixed) at a property other than the job site, in order to accumulate sufficient quantities to economically haul the materials to the next facility. The storage facility either must be licensed and approved under s.
How many tons of asphalt shingles were landfilled in Wisconsin in 2009?
Of the top 10 C&D wastes by weight, asphalt shingles are second after wood waste, according to a recent study. An estimated 247,000 tons of asphalt shingles were landfilled in Wisconsin in 2009.
Why do we sort shingles?
This often includes manual sorting of shingles to produce a cleaner, sorted shingle load that is more economical to haul to the next recycler and typically receives a price similar to source-separated materials.
How much waste can a do it yourself roofing contractor haul?
One-time, do-it yourself haulers of roofing materials may qualify for an exemption from licensing under s. NR 502.06 (2) (b) if they haul less than 20 tons per year of solid waste and comply with the specified operational requirements.
What happens when you burn asphalt shingles?
When asphalt shingles are burned, they release a complex blend of contaminants, including carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbons, into the air, which can also leak into the soil and water . This will, of course, cause pollution to the environment, and that is why it is important to dispose these materials properly.
What should a professional roofer do?
A professional roofer should be able to give you all the details on the specific roofing shingles you chose for your home.
What is the most affordable roofing material?
For example, let us take asphalt shingles since these shingles are the most affordable and a common choice among homeowners.
Why do shingles need to be inspected by the International Building Code?
Roofing shingles need to meet a certain standard by the International Building Code to ensure that they are safe to people and the environment.
What is the healthiest roofing material?
slate. concrete. clay shingles. are considered to be the healthiest roofing materials on the market as they produce little or no outgassing. Even though many roofing materials available today are made with sustainability in mind, the materials and installation methods are not yet 100% eco-friendly. Nonetheless, once your shingles are installed, you ...
What is the job of a roofing contractor?
In general, it is the roofing contractors ‘ job to ensure that everything that needs protection on the property is covered to prevent damages. Therefore, it is best to discuss the means of protection to your property beforehand with the roofing contractor.
What is the purpose of a roof?
The primary purpose of any roof is to protect the people and the objects inside the structure. One would think that since residential and commercial roofs are constructed to achieve the same purpose,...