Asbestos cement was widely used for garage roofs and other building products before asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999. Many older garages still contain these materials, particularly in corrugated roof sheets, flat wall panels, fascias and rainwater goods.
Asbestos cannot be reliably identified by appearance alone. If a garage was built or refurbished before 2000, assume that suspicious materials may contain asbestos until they have been properly assessed.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that were added to building products because of their strength and resistance to heat. Common types used in the UK included chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite, often referred to as white, brown and blue asbestos.
Asbestos cement combines asbestos fibres with cement. The fibres are more firmly bonded than they are in some higher-risk asbestos products, but the material still needs to be handled correctly.
Why Can Garage Asbestos Be Dangerous?
The main risk arises when asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed and microscopic fibres become airborne. These fibres can be inhaled and may remain in the lungs.
Activities that can release fibres include:
- Drilling or sawing roof sheets
- Breaking or dropping panels
- Sanding or wire-brushing the surface
- Using a pressure washer
- Removing fixings without suitable controls
- Sweeping or vacuuming asbestos debris with ordinary equipment
Asbestos exposure is associated with serious diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis and diffuse pleural thickening. These conditions normally take many years to develop.
If you have persistent symptoms and believe you were exposed to asbestos in the past, speak to your GP and explain the circumstances of the possible exposure.
Is an Undamaged Asbestos Garage Roof an Immediate Risk?
Asbestos cement in good condition presents a lower risk when it is left undisturbed. Finding a suspected asbestos roof does not automatically mean that it must be removed immediately.
The material should be inspected for cracks, weathering, loose fixings or broken edges. Its location and the likelihood of future disturbance should also be considered.
Do not climb onto an asbestos cement roof. Older roof sheets can be fragile and may fail without warning, creating a serious risk of falling as well as disturbing the material.
How Can You Tell Whether a Garage Contains Asbestos?
The age and appearance of a garage may indicate that asbestos is possible, but visual inspection cannot confirm it. Modern non-asbestos fibre-cement sheets can look very similar to older asbestos cement products.
A competent asbestos surveyor can examine the garage and, where appropriate, arrange controlled sampling and laboratory analysis. Testing should take place before drilling, demolition, roof replacement or other work that could disturb the material.
If part of the roof is already broken, keep people away from the area and do not pick up, sweep or further disturb the debris. Contact an asbestos professional for advice.
Can You Remove an Asbestos Garage Roof Yourself?
Some work involving asbestos cement can legally be classed as non-licensed work, depending on the material’s condition and how the job will be carried out. This does not mean that it can be approached as ordinary DIY.
Anyone undertaking the work must be competent, appropriately trained and able to follow the required risk assessment, control, protective equipment, cleaning and waste procedures. Damaged material or work likely to cause significant breakage may also be notifiable or require a licensed contractor.
For householders, using an experienced asbestos contractor is the safer option. It avoids the risk of incorrect identification, accidental breakage and unlawful disposal.
How Is Asbestos Waste Disposed Of?
Removed asbestos is hazardous waste. It must be packaged, labelled, transported and accepted by a suitable disposal facility in accordance with the applicable requirements.
Asbestos should not be placed in household bins, ordinary skips or mixed construction waste. Not every household recycling centre accepts it, and those that do may have specific booking and packaging rules.
A contractor should explain how the waste will be contained and where it will be taken. Where a waste carrier is required, its registration and the receiving site’s authority to accept asbestos should be confirmed.
What Happens After the Asbestos Roof Is Removed?
The supporting structure should be checked before a replacement covering is installed. Roof trusses, fixings, fascias and guttering may also need repair or replacement, particularly on an older garage.
Dencroft offers several garage roof replacement options, including cement-fibre and coated steel sheets. The most suitable covering will depend on the garage structure, condition and intended use.
Garage Asbestos Removal From Dencroft
Dencroft provides a garage and garage roof asbestos removal service. The company states that its team is licensed and qualified to dismantle and remove asbestos-containing garages and roofs, with the material transported to a registered and licensed disposal site.
The team can also discuss replacing the removed roof or installing a new concrete garage where the existing building is no longer suitable for refurbishment.
If you suspect that your garage contains asbestos, do not disturb it. Contact Dencroft Garages to arrange an assessment and request a quotation for removal, disposal and any required replacement work.