- Corrugated grey roof sheets on older garages are often asbestos cement.
- Undamaged sheets left alone are a low risk. Damage, drilling and cleaning make them a risk.
- A single garage roof is usually a one-day job on site.
Is my garage roof asbestos?
Garages built before 2000 may have an asbestos cement roof. You cannot be sure by looking, so a small sample sent to a laboratory gives a clear answer. Our guide on how to tell if you have asbestos explains where it hides.
Your three options
1. Leave it and monitor it
If the sheets are in good condition, leaving them alone is often acceptable. Do not drill, scrub, pressure wash or break them.
2. Cover or treat it
In some cases the roof can be sealed or covered. This is a short-term answer, and the roof will still need dealing with in future.
3. Remove it
Best when the roof is cracked, mossy, leaking or you want a new one. The sheets are taken off, wrapped and removed by a licensed carrier.
How a removal job works
- Request and quote. You send details and photos and get a written quote.
- Preparation. The area is cleared, access is set up and neighbours are kept away from the work.
- Careful removal. Sheets are wetted and lifted off whole, not broken.
- Wrapping and waste. Sheets are wrapped, labelled and loaded for carriage.
- Clean up and paperwork. The area is left clean and you receive the waste paperwork.
Replacing the roof
Many people choose a new corrugated steel or similar roof straight after removal. Ask for this to be priced with the removal so the work is done in one visit.
What not to do
- Do not sweep, vacuum or brush dust you think may be asbestos.
- Do not take sheets to a skip or tip yourself.
- Do not let a builder break the sheets up.