Asbestos garage roof removal in Redditch

Why so many garages have it

Corrugated cement sheets were the standard way to roof a garage for most of the twentieth century. They were light, cheap, weatherproof and long-lasting, and a great many contained asbestos fibre until the last types were banned in 1999. A garage built on a Redditch estate in the 1960s, 1970s or 1980s may well still have its first roof.

Left alone and in good condition, asbestos cement is generally low risk because the fibres are bound into the cement. The risk comes from damage and age: weathering that roughens the surface, cracks, broken corners, and anyone drilling, scrubbing or power-washing the sheets. That is why a mossy, brittle roof is worth dealing with before it fails.

How the removal is done

The area is cordoned off and the sheets are dampened to keep dust down. Fixings are released rather than snapped, so sheets stay whole. Operatives work from crawler boards so no one steps on the brittle sheets directly. The sheets are lowered by hand, double-wrapped in heavy-duty polythene, labelled and loaded for a permitted disposal site. You should be given waste transfer paperwork afterwards.

Most single garages are a one or two day job from setting up to clearing away, depending on size, access and weather. Double garages and sectional garages take longer. If the building has an asbestos cement gutter, soffit or lining board, mention it in your message so the quote includes it.

Removal only, or a new roof as well

You can have the old roof removed on its own and decide later, or you can have a new roof fitted in the same job. Many people choose the second option because the scaffold and access are already in place and the garage is not left open to the weather. A replacement can be insulated steel sheeting, a flat roof system or tiles, depending on the structure underneath.

Ask for the replacement to be priced separately from the removal so you can compare the two and see exactly what each part costs.

Who does the work, and what the law expects

Halden Asbestos Removal is an introduction service. We pass your photos and details to an independent contractor, who provides the quote, carries out the work and holds the insurance and any licences required. Most asbestos cement work is non-licensed, but it is still regulated: workers need training, the right equipment and a lawful route for the waste. Some non-licensed work must also be notified to the enforcing authority, and other materials such as insulation board or lagging can need a licensed contractor. The contractor will tell you which applies to your job.

What to send us

• Two or three clear photos of the roof, ceiling or material
• The rough size and what it is attached to
• The age of the building if you know it
• Access: gates, steps, side passages and where a skip could go
• Whether the building is occupied or in use

Prices on this site are guides only. Only the contractor's written quote counts.