Garage roofs are one of the most common locations for asbestos-containing materials in UK domestic properties. Millions of garages built between the 1950s and 1990s were roofed with asbestos cement corrugated sheets — a bonded material that was cheap, lightweight, fire-resistant and widely available before the UK ban on asbestos use in 1999.
Is My Garage Roof Asbestos?
If your garage was built between approximately 1950 and 1990 and has a corrugated or profile sheet roof — rather than tiles, felt or modern plastic — it is very likely to contain asbestos cement. Signs of ageing asbestos cement include algae or moss growth, cracking and chipping at edges and fixings, discolouration from weathering, and a chalky fibrous texture. However, the only definitive confirmation is laboratory analysis of a sample — we arrange this quickly.
What Are the Risks?
Intact, undisturbed asbestos cement in good condition presents a low immediate risk. The risk increases significantly when sheets are deteriorating or friable (releasing fibres passively), drilled or cut (never use power tools), pressure-washed (illegal on asbestos materials), broken by impact or storm damage, or demolished without proper controls.
Why You Cannot Use a Standard Skip
Asbestos cement sheets are hazardous waste under the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005. Placing them in a general skip or taking them to a standard household waste site is illegal — fines up to £50,000 apply. Only an EA-licensed waste carrier with correct documentation can transport them. For compliant disposal see our waste collection service.
What Does Removal Involve?
Asbestos cement garage roof removal is classified as NNLW — it requires notification to the enforcing authority, RPE and PPE for operatives, controlled removal without breaking (sheets removed whole where possible), polythene sheeting below the work area, double-wrapping and labelling of all waste, and EA-licensed disposal with consignment notes. Full details are on our asbestos cement removal page and our roofing removal service. For domestic homeowners see our domestic removal service.