Asbestos Garage Removal - Roof & Walls

How to Tell if my Garage Roof is Asbestos?

When considering changing the roof on your garage it helps to know the signs to look for that will tell you whether your garage roof contains asbestos and if you need asbestos garage removal services.

Homeowners with a preference for older properties are often the most likely to find out that their garage roof has asbestos within its makeup. While properties from last century can possess some excellent period features, good-sized rooms, and a solid structure, they also tend to come with significant quantities of asbestos – and the earlier the year, the more of it there is likely to be.

It’s little surprise, then, that the majority of people who request a quote for the removal of their garage roof own homes typically built in the first half of the twentieth century. What is perhaps more surprising is the number of people who previously had no idea that their garage or outbuilding contained asbestos.

Tricky to Spot

Asbestos can be a tricky product to spot. Because it was used so freely, many people are familiar with its appearance without realising that what they are seeing is an extremely hazardous material. What’s more, asbestos was regularly mixed with other products such as cement and then moulded to mimic and look just like other, similar products.

The most common garage roof material is corrugated cement known as AIB boards in the trade.

The cement used in this kind of roof construction is quite thin and will often contain asbestos. If you look more closely at the texture of the cement, you may see thin fibres running through it – this is a clear sign that asbestos has been mixed in with the cement. The cement may also look like it has a texture to it, like fabric.

If your roof looks like it might contain asbestos, it’s worth bearing in mind that the glue used to bind the sheets together may also contain it.

Sometimes, the asbestos is internal, in the garage ceiling. In this case, you’ll be looking out for textured paint (sometimes known as Artex, among other names), or white tiles with the same fibrous texture as you can see in the cement.

Asbestos Garage Removal

Thanks to the prevalence of asbestos in construction right up until it was banned in 1999, you can usually find some hanging around, and a garage roof or ceiling is one of the most common occurrences. Sadly, wherever it is, it is a good idea to get it removed, otherwise you run the risk of it posing a major health hazard to you and your family.

Of course, this is not something to try yourself. Removing and replacing an asbestos roof isn’t technically difficult (as a material, asbestos functions in just the same way as many other roofing products) – but it is considerably more dangerous, and you need to take special care (not to mention the proper equipment and protective clothing) to be able to handle and dispose of asbestos correctly.

How do I get rid of my roof?

You’ll need the experts for this! It is best to avoid using any tools on the roof or touching it in any way. Asbestos sheets on the roof that are intact and undisturbed pose little risk to health, however once disturbed or damaged asbestos releases microscopic fibres into the air – when you breathe them in, they get trapped in your lungs and damage the lining of your lungs and windpipe.

JS Removals will bring all the specialist equipment and PPE to ensure that our workers are protected from these tiny, harmful fibres. We also make sure we clear up thoroughly after we’ve removed all the asbestos, to get rid of any lingering dust that could still pose a risk.

Here’s a guide to our asbestos garage roof removal costs which are all fully inclusive with no hidden charges. All our services include a minimum of a 2-man team to ensure that the loading runs smoothly.

Then, in accordance with the laws on asbestos removal, you should receive a certificate from the Environment Agency within 14 days of removal, confirming that your asbestos has been legally and safely disposed of.

Asbestos Garage Roof Replacement

Now the asbestos material has gone you’re free to get on with replacing your garage roof with a new one, safe in the knowledge that there are no more harmful materials that can pose a threat to your health.

Again, JS Removals can come to your aid with our garage roof replacement services. We offer a like for like, cost effective option to replace your garage roof with suitable materials that are quick and easy to use and will have your garage weatherproof and back in action in no time.