Asbestos was used extensively in construction from the 1950s up until its outright ban in 1999 when the dangers of this naturally occurring fibre were discovered. Amongst other things, the material was used to create corrugated roofing for garages and other outbuildings. And due to its robustness, it is still in place in thousands of properties across the UK.
If you have an old garage, outbuilding or brick built shed on your land and it dates back pre-2000, then chances are you are concerned that its roof could be made from asbestos.
The thing with asbestos is that, left undisturbed, the risks posed are minimal. So even if you do have an asbestos garage roof, providing it is in good condition, and you are not planning on drilling into or pulling the structure down, it is unlikely that it will prove to be a health hazard.
However, if you are set to disturb the structure, you will need to proceed with caution, and take professional advice.
When disrupted or damaged, asbestos releases its fibres into the air. If they are breathed in, they can damage the lungs and their lining, leading to a range of serious asbestos related conditions, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
It is actually very difficult to tell just by looking at it whether a garage roof is made from asbestos.
You could place asbestos and cement fibre roof panels next to each other, and you wouldn’t see any difference. This is why it is so important to be aware of what to look for.
Many people ask, is my garage roof asbestos, and really the only way to tell for sure – and the safest way – is to engage a qualified professional to ascertain the presence of the material via asbestos testing.
However, there are a few signs you can look out for that may suggest your garage roof is asbestos. These include:
Garage was built before the year 2000 – all asbestos containing materials were banned from use in the UK from 1999, so any buildings built or renovated before this time may contain asbestos.
Batch codes – asbestos roofing sheets are commonly printed with batch codes on the underside of the panels. This is not a hard and fast rule, however, as not all manufacturers followed the same process. Look out for a batch code with ‘AC’, as opposed to ‘CE’ or ‘C’ which depicts cement panels.
Cracking or breaking panels – asbestos tends to snap or crack rather than crumble like ageing cement. So if your panels are showing cracks, that could be a potential warning sign that asbestos is present.
Asbestos garage roofing is, more often than not, corrugated. However, cement roofing can also be made in this style.
As you can tell from these corrugated asbestos roof pictures, there is little difference between those and the cement ones.
Asbestos roof
Cement roof
It is impossible to tell for certain whether a garage roof is asbestos unless you are a qualified professional commissioned to carry out licensed asbestos testing.
However, if when using the above identifiers you have reason to believe that your roof is asbestos, then you should treat it as such.
You are wise to confirm whether your suspicions are founded, especially if the condition of the garage is in decline, or you are planning refurbishment or demolition works on the property.
A licensed asbestos surveyor will be able to confirm the presence of asbestos, and will provide you with advice on how to handle it.
If you are not planning to refurbish or demolish the garage, then providing the asbestos is not disturbed and the roof is in good condition, it may be possible to leave it as it is and simply monitor it over time.
If the roof is damaged but you wish to keep the garage, you have the option of asbestos garage roof replacement. This involves removing any asbestos-containing sheeting, safely and legally disposing of it, and then replacing the roof with a durable GRP fibreglass alternative.
Asbestos garage roof replacement with GRP fibreglass
The final alternative is to have the garage removed altogether. In such circumstances, you will still need a licensed asbestos contractor. They will work with other tradespeople to make sure the electrics and water are safely disconnected, before taking the garage apart and disposing of the waste in line with official regulatory guidance. They’ll also remove the concrete base so that your land is clear for your next project.
It’s important to remember that asbestos is a material that’s dangerous to health. If you are leaving your asbestos garage roof intact, therefore, then you will need to take care around it, ensuring you do not disturb the roof panels, leading to the hazardous asbestos microscopic fibres being released into the air.
Be sure to access your garage with caution. Never open the door too quickly, as that could cause a rapid change in air pressure inside the garage. This can lead to a vacuum effect, which can distribute the asbestos fibres within the roofing panels.
High winds and storms can also cause the same vacuum effect. They also have the potential to cause damage to the panels. So always conduct a distanced visual check of your garage roof following a storm, and be sure to call in an asbestos garage roof contractor if you have reason to believe the panels have become damaged since you last had them professionally checked.
Finally, take care when tidying or clearing out your garage. Make sure you don’t knock the walls or the roof, as this will cause the panels to vibrate, which could release asbestos fibres into the air. It is advisable not to use the garage for parking your car for the same reason.
At Advance Asbestos Removal, we have been providing asbestos testing and removal services since 1984. Our team is fast, efficient, helpful and reliable, with all specialists UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) trained for your complete reassurance and regulatory compliance.
We offer a full range of asbestos garage roof replacement and removal services, and provide a 20-year guarantee on all replacement roofing work.
To learn more about how we can help you ascertain whether your garage roof is asbestos, please contact us today.
Ditton House, 59 Fleece Road, Long Ditton, Surrey, KT6 5JR
Established in 1984 With Over 30 Years Experience. Call: 07759 018402
