If you’ve discovered that the roof of your garage, warehouse, workshop, barn or commercial building contains asbestos cement, you may assume that it needs to be removed immediately.

That’s not always the case.

Asbestos-containing materials that are in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed can sometimes remain safely in place and be appropriately managed.

However, there are circumstances where removal may be the most appropriate option.

At Atlas Asbestos, we provide asbestos services throughout Liverpool, Merseyside, Manchester and the wider North West. Here we explain when an asbestos cement roof may be left in place and when you should consider having it removed.

What Is an Asbestos Cement Roof?

Asbestos cement was widely used within the UK construction industry because it was durable, relatively inexpensive and resistant to weather and fire.

It was commonly manufactured into corrugated roofing sheets and used on buildings including:

• Garages
• Warehouses
• Workshops
• Factories
• Agricultural buildings
• Barns
• Sheds
• Outbuildings

Asbestos cement contains asbestos fibres bound within a cement matrix.

This makes it a lower-risk asbestos-containing material than more friable materials such as sprayed asbestos coatings or asbestos insulation, but lower risk, does not mean, no risk!

Therefore, as it still contains asbestos it needs to be handled appropriately.

Does It Have to Be Removed?

Simply discovering asbestos cement does not automatically mean it must be removed.

If the material is in good condition, isn’t being disturbed and can remain protected, managing it in place may be appropriate.

For commercial and other non-domestic premises, asbestos-containing materials may form part of the property’s asbestos management plan and should be regularly monitored.

The important question is therefore not simply:

“Does this building contain asbestos?”

It’s:

“What condition is the asbestos in and is it likely to be disturbed?”

When Should an Asbestos Cement Roof Be Removed?

There are several circumstances where removal may be appropriate.

The Roof Is Damaged

Cracked, broken or deteriorating asbestos cement requires greater consideration than intact material.

Damage can occur through age, weather, impact or previous maintenance work.

If the roof is badly deteriorated, removal and replacement may be preferable to continued repair.

You’re Replacing the Roof

If you’ve decided to replace an ageing garage, warehouse or industrial roof, the existing asbestos cement sheets will need to be dealt with before the new roofing system can be installed.

Atlas Asbestos can work alongside roofing contractors and other trades to coordinate removal with the wider project.

You’re Demolishing the Building

Asbestos-containing materials should be identified and appropriately dealt with before demolition work proceeds.

Demolishing a building without identifying asbestos beforehand could result in asbestos contamination and unnecessary exposure.

You’re Refurbishing the Property

Refurbishment works can disturb asbestos that has previously remained safely in place.

Before significant refurbishment of an older building, the appropriate asbestos survey should establish whether asbestos-containing materials will be affected by the planned work.

The Roof Is Becoming Difficult to Maintain

Asbestos cement roofs can deteriorate after decades of exposure to the British weather.

Repeated repairs may eventually become impractical, particularly if the building is expected to remain in use for many more years.

In those circumstances, planned removal and replacement can provide a longer-term solution.

Can You Repair an Asbestos Cement Roof Instead?

Sometimes.

Whether repair, encapsulation or removal is appropriate depends on the condition of the material and the intended future use of the building.

Minor deterioration doesn’t necessarily mean that an entire roof must immediately be removed.

However, maintenance work must be carefully considered because drilling, cutting or breaking asbestos cement can release asbestos fibres.

Never pressure wash, sand or aggressively clean a suspected asbestos cement roof.

If you’re unsure, seek professional advice before carrying out maintenance.

What About Moss on an Asbestos Roof?

Older asbestos cement roofs frequently develop moss, lichen and other organic growth.

It can be tempting to use a pressure washer to clean the roof, but this should be avoided.

High-pressure cleaning can damage the surface of asbestos cement and potentially spread contaminated debris.

It can also create contaminated wastewater.

If an asbestos cement roof requires cleaning or treatment, appropriate asbestos procedures should be considered rather than treating it like an ordinary concrete or tiled roof.

Can You Put a New Roof Over an Asbestos Roof?

In some circumstances, building owners consider overcladding or encapsulating an existing asbestos cement roof rather than removing it.

Whether this is appropriate depends on factors such as the condition of the existing roof, structural considerations and how future maintenance will be managed.

While overcladding can avoid immediate removal, the asbestos remains within the building.

This needs to be clearly recorded so future contractors know it’s there.

For some clients, complete removal is preferable because it permanently removes that particular asbestos-containing material from the property.

How Is an Asbestos Cement Roof Removed?

The aim is generally to remove asbestos cement sheets as intact as reasonably practicable.

Rather than smashing or cutting the sheets, fixings are carefully dealt with and sheets are removed in a controlled manner.

The work also requires appropriate precautions for both asbestos and working at height.

This second issue is particularly important because asbestos cement roofs are fragile and should not be assumed to support a person’s weight.

Once removed, the asbestos cement needs to be appropriately packaged, transported and disposed of as asbestos waste.

Asbestos Roof Removal for Commercial & Industrial Buildings

Atlas Asbestos can assist with larger asbestos cement roof and cladding projects on:

• Industrial units
• Warehouses
• Workshops
• Agricultural buildings
• Commercial premises
• Garages and outbuildings

For commercial projects, we can work with the principal contractor, roofing contractor, property manager or building owner to plan the asbestos removal around the wider programme of works.

Good planning is particularly important where removing asbestos leaves a building temporarily exposed before the replacement roofing or cladding is installed.

Asbestos Cement Roof Removal in Liverpool & the North West

If you have an asbestos cement roof and aren’t sure whether it needs to be removed, Atlas Asbestos can help.

We provide professional asbestos services throughout Liverpool, Merseyside, Manchester and the wider North West.

Whether you’re dealing with a small garage roof or hundreds of square metres of commercial roofing and cladding, we can assess the project and advise on the appropriate next steps.

Speak to Atlas Asbestos

If you’re concerned about an asbestos roof, contact us with photographs, the approximate size of the building and its location.

We can discuss your requirements and provide a quotation where removal is required. Please contact us here!

Atlas Asbestos — Safe. Professional. Reliable.