Last Updated on January 23, 2025 by

What is an asbestos roof?

An asbestos roof sheet is made from asbestos cement – a mixture of cement and asbestos.

The asbestos fibres make up about 10-15% of the total corrugated asbestos roofing, forming a hard material, and were added to the cement to reinforce it.

Chrysotile (white asbestos) is the asbestos mineral that was most commonly used in the manufacture of asbestos roof sheets and products before the asbestos regulations and ban came into effect in the UK in the year 2000.

Asbestos cement was used due it’s excellent insulation, fireproofing and weatherproof properties.

Asbestos roofing can be frequently found in the form of sheets or corrugated roofing panels, gutters, insulation, shingles, downpipes, felt, asphalt or the entire roof itself.

You will find asbestos containing materials used on an asbestos garage roof, sheds and farm buildings.

If you suspect asbestos containing materials are present in your roof, you should contact a licensed asbestos removal company. The images below will help you to identify what asbestos materials look like:-

Are asbestos roofs safe?

Problems with asbestos roofing, such as corrugated asbestos garage roof sheets or asbestos roof tiles, can occur as the asbestos cement deteriorates with age and consequently becomes more brittle, releasing asbestos fibres.

This creates a greater risk of asbestos dust or the asbestos becoming exposed and loose which puts people at greater risk from asbestos exposure.

Asbestos exposure can lead to developing asbestos related diseases in later life.

However, as the harmful asbestos fibres only account for approximately 10% of the composition of asbestos products, this means that asbestos roofing materials are considered to be a low risk to human health.

How long does this type of roof last?

The lifetime of an asbestos roof will depend on the quality and thickness of the asbestos sheets.

Thinner asbestos roofing sheets will usually last around 50 to 60 years.

Thicker roofing sheets measuring about a quarter of an inch thick will typically last 70 to 85 years.

How much does it cost to remove?

The overall cost of asbestos removal from a asbestos roof will depend on the quantity that is to be removed.

However, as a general guide, for asbestos garage roof removal – pricing starts around £380 or £680 if including the sides.

The asbestos removal cost for a double garage roof starts from £750 or £1800 if including sides.

The cost of asbestos removal for garage roof insulation ceiling boards starts at around £1350.

Can I remove asbestos roofing myself?

It is essential that asbestos containing materials are removed and asbestos waste is disposed of in the correct manner.

The best way to do this is to use an asbestos removal company – licensed contractor.

On no account should you attempt to remove asbestos coatings yourself.

However, if you wish to remove the asbestos garage roof yourself, then you are permitted to do so as cement bonded asbestos found in roof sheets is the only asbestos material which can be removed by a house holder. 

There are strict guidelines though on how you should do this in order to prevent asbestos contamination.

Please refer to the full HSE guidance.

Did you find this article interesting?  Then check out our other interesting articles below.

For all your asbestos training needs call us on 0161 761 4424 or visit https://www.armcoasbestostraining.co.uk/asbestos-training-courses/ to book an asbestos training course.

Need an asbestos survey or a refurbishment/demolition survey? Then contact us on 0161 763 3727 or by visiting our sister site https://www.armco.org.uk/

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Published Jun 04, 2019