Gaco Asbestos Roof Waterproofing in County Westmeath — Encapsulation Without Removal

Westmeath has long been called the Lake County. Its development plan lists Lough Ree, formed by the Shannon beside Athlone, along with Loughs Owel, Ennell, Derravaragh, Lene and Sheelin around Mullingar, and the River Brosna flowing through. Census 2022 put the county’s population at 96,221, and Westmeath County Council, based in Mullingar, is its local authority. Between the lakes and the towns of Athlone, Mullingar, Moate and Kinnegad lies a working farm landscape, and that is the focus here.

Teagasc’s advisory office in Mullingar, which covers Westmeath with Offaly, Cavan and Monaghan, supports around 2,600 farm clients through some 30 discussion groups in beef, sheep and dairy. It also runs a dedicated poultry advisory service, a sign that poultry housing is part of the regional picture. Farm employment sits in a wider county economy where Census 2022 counted a workforce of about 42,100, with manufacturing employing more than 4,500. For roofs, the farm side means cattle sheds, sheep housing, dairies, meal stores and poultry units, many of the older ones roofed in corrugated asbestos cement.

Livestock and poultry buildings need a dependable roof all year, and a leak over bedding or feed quickly becomes a welfare and hygiene issue. Encapsulation seals an asbestos cement roof where it stands. Gaco urethane coatings, U91 and U92 being the grades used on asbestos cement, are applied over the existing sheets, so the building is not stripped and animals or birds are not moved out for a re-roof. The approved installer surveys the roof, replaces sheets that are broken, and cleans off moss and lichen without abrading the cement. Coating goes ahead only when the roof is dry and conditions are within Gaco’s limits. Duratite supplies the materials, and the approved installer carries out the work.

Farm work that could disturb asbestos cement in Westmeath comes under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 386 of 2006, as amended), enforced by the Health and Safety Authority. Asbestos cement sheets are fragile, and the installer’s method keeps everyone off the bare roof. Westmeath County Council is the building control authority, and TGD L 2022 applies if the roof insulation is changed. The island-of-Ireland reference project for asbestos roof encapsulation is SAICA Warrenpoint, Co. Down.

When enquiring about a Westmeath farm building, say whether it houses cattle, sheep or poultry, when it is empty or least busy, and any biosecurity rules that apply to visitors. Photos of the roof and of damp patches inside help with planning the survey.