How to Tell If My Garage Roof Contains Asbestos
Understanding how to tell if your garage roof contains asbestos isn’t always straightforward, as older asbestos cement corrugated sheets look extremely similar to modern cement fibre roofing panels. As a general rule of thumb, the age of the property or the year the garage was built can give a good indication, with garages constructed before the year 2000 are far more likely to contain asbestos. Below, we explain how to confirm this through asbestos testing and what to do if asbestos is discovered.
Common Signs Your Garage Roof May Contain Asbestos
One of the main challenges when identifying asbestos in a garage roof is the similarities between older asbestos corrugated sheets and modern cement fibre alternatives. However, there are a few visual clues that can help indicate whether asbestos may be present.
Older asbestos cement sheets tend to have a coarser, dimpled surface, caused by the manufacturing process, whereas modern fibre cement sheets are usually smoother and more uniform in appearance. The age of the garage is also a key factor, as asbestos corrugated roofing was widely used until it began to be phased out during the 1980s, with a full ban coming into force in 1999 across the UK, including Northern Ireland.
The overall condition of the roof can provide further clues, roofs that are heavily discoloured, covered in moss, or showing signs of long-term weathering are more likely to contain asbestos. In some cases, inspecting the edges of the corrugated sheets may reveal small fibres within the material, although this should only be done visually, without disturbing the roof.
Visible asbestos fibres
While these signs can point toward asbestos being present, they are not foolproof, and the only way to confirm whether a garage roof contains asbestos is through professional asbestos testing.
How Much Asbestos Do Corrugated Cement Sheets Contain?
Corrugated asbestos cement sheets typically contain around 10–15% asbestos, with the remaining material predominantly made up of cement. The asbestos fibres were incorporated into the cement to reinforce the sheets and improve their strength and durability.
The most commonly used type was chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, although some older asbestos cement products may also contain amosite (brown asbestos) or crocidolite (blue asbestos).
Because the asbestos fibres are bound within the cement, asbestos cement is generally considered a lower-risk asbestos-containing material when it remains in good condition and is left undisturbed. However, breaking, cutting, drilling or grinding the sheets can release asbestos fibres.
If you’d like to understand more about the potential risks, read our article on: Is Asbestos Cement Dangerous?
How to Confirm if your Garage Roof Contains Asbestos
The only way to confirm if your garage roof contains asbestos is through an asbestos test. This involves taking a small sample of the roofing material and having it analysed. Visual inspection alone isn’t reliable, and it’s important to be 100% certain before attempting to remove or disturb a garage roof, as breaking or damaging asbestos can release fibres into the air and pose a risk to health.
In larger properties, such as houses with multiple outbuildings, a full asbestos survey may be required. However, where the concern is limited to a single garage roof and you simply want to confirm whether the corrugated sheets, slates or tiles contain asbestos, a straightforward asbestos test is usually sufficient.
There are specialist firms based in Northern Ireland that can carry out this type of testing, giving you a clear answer before any renovation or removal work takes place. If you would like an asbestos test carried out and you live in Northern Ireland, contact Removerr on 07434 691 809 or email andrew@remover.co.uk.
What to Do if your Garage Roof Contains Asbestos
If testing confirms that your garage roof contains asbestos and you decide to have it removed, the process is usually carried out in two stages. The first step is to contact a specialist asbestos contractor in Northern Ireland, such as Removerr, to arrange the safe removal of the asbestos roof. In many cases, a separate roofing contractor can then be scheduled to replace the roof with a modern, non-asbestos material.
Typically, the asbestos roof is removed the day before the new roof is installed to minimise the time the garage is left exposed. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) must be notified at least three working days in advance of the removal, as asbestos is classed as hazardous waste and its movement must be tracked.
Before work begins, customers are usually asked to clear the garage of all contents, and once the roof has been removed, the area is thoroughly cleaned using specialist equipment as a precautionary measure. After completion, the customer is provided with the relevant NIEA paperwork, it’s important to note that asbestos waste must be transported by a registered waste carrier and taken to a facility authorised to accept asbestos waste.
Asbestos slates and Asbestos corrugated sheets
If your garage roof contains asbestos and you’re considering removal, Removerr can safely remove asbestos garage roofs across Northern Ireland. We handle the full process, including NIEA notification, licensed transport, and disposal at approved facilities. Call Andrew on 07434 691 809 or email andrew@remover.co.uk.
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