Clues that a roof may be asbestos cement
- Age. Garages and outbuildings built or re-roofed before 2000 may contain asbestos. White asbestos was only banned in the UK in 1999.
- Corrugated sheets. Large grey, wavy cement sheets are the classic look.
- Weathering. Moss, lichen and dark staining are common on old sheets.
- Fixings. Sheets are usually bolted through the ridges, with cement or metal ridge pieces on top.
- No markings. There is rarely a label, so appearance alone is not proof.
The only sure way
A sample tested at a UKAS-accredited laboratory, or an asbestos survey from a qualified surveyor, is the only way to know for certain. Many contractors will simply treat an old cement roof as asbestos and take it down on that basis.
What not to do
- Do not drill, sand, scrub or pressure wash the sheets.
- Do not break or snap sheets, or walk across the roof.
- Do not take samples yourself. Leave that to a professional.
- Do not dump sheets in a skip or at a normal tip.
If the sheets are in good condition and left alone, the risk is low. The risk goes up when sheets are damaged, drilled or broken. HSE guidance is at hse.gov.uk/asbestos.
Next step
Send two or three photos of the roof and a local contractor can tell you what they see and quote for removal. Start with our garage roof removal page.
