Many garages, outbuildings and older homes in the South East have roof sheets, soffits or pipes made from asbestos cement. It was cheap, tough and weatherproof. Asbestos was banned in UK construction in 1999, and HSE says buildings built or refurbished before 2000 may contain it (HSE: why and where asbestos may be found).
This guide explains where asbestos cement often turns up on roofs, why it shouldn’t be disturbed and who can test it. We don’t carry out asbestos surveys or test for asbestos.
Where it turns up
On and around roofs, materials that may contain asbestos include:
- corrugated cement roof sheets on garages, sheds, outbuildings and older commercial units
- soffit boards under the eaves
- flue pipes and some rainwater goods, such as gutters and downpipes
- some roof slates or tiles made from fibre cement
- panels around dormers and bay windows.
You can’t tell whether a material contains asbestos just by looking. Newer fibre cement products look very similar but don’t contain it.
Why it shouldn’t be disturbed
Asbestos is dangerous when its fibres are released into the air and breathed in. Material that is in good condition and left alone is generally less of a risk than material that is damaged or disturbed. Breaking, drilling, cutting, sanding or pressure-washing them can release fibres.
So the safest approach is to leave suspect materials alone until they’ve been checked. Don’t try to clean moss off cement sheet roofs, and don’t remove old soffits or sheets yourself. If a sheet has already broken, keep people and pets away from the debris and get specialist advice on clearing it up.
Want a roof surveyed? We cover London and the South East, with written reports and photos from £150 including VAT. Book a survey or call 07833 053749.
Cement sheet roofs can be fragile
Cement sheet roofs are also a fall risk. Old sheets can be brittle and may not take a person’s weight. Never stand or walk on a garage or outbuilding roof made of cement sheets. Rooflights set into these roofs can be fragile too. We inspect these roofs from the ground, from vantage points and, where applicable, by drone. We don’t go onto them.
What our survey does
A roof survey records what we can see. If a building is from before 2000 and we see materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheet roofs or soffits, our report flags them. It says that a specialist asbestos surveyor should check them before they are disturbed, for example before repairs, re-roofing or demolition.
We don’t take samples or test for asbestos, and our report isn’t an asbestos survey. You can read more about our scope on what our survey covers.
Who to contact next
An asbestos surveyor can take samples and have them analysed, and tell you what the material is and what condition it’s in. If work is needed, some asbestos work can only be done by contractors licensed by HSE. The asbestos specialist can explain which rules apply to your material. For buildings other than homes, such as offices and units, there are also legal duties to manage asbestos. HSE’s website has guidance.
If you’re buying a property with an asbestos cement garage or outbuilding, a pre-purchase roof survey can flag it so you can raise it with the seller.
Quick answers
Can you tell me if my garage roof is asbestos?
No. We can flag sheets that could contain asbestos on a building from before 2000. Only testing by an asbestos specialist can confirm it.
Is it safe to live with an asbestos cement roof?
Asbestos is mainly a risk when it’s damaged or disturbed and fibres are released. Leave it alone and get it checked by a specialist before any work.
Can I paint or clean a cement sheet roof?
Don’t do anything that disturbs the surface, and don’t go onto the roof. Get it checked by an asbestos specialist first.
Related services
More advice
- Commercial Roof Surveys: Rooflights and Sheeting
- What Does a Roof Survey Include?
- Moss on Roofs: Harmless or a Problem?
- Do I Need a Roof Survey When Buying a House?
- All advice
This guide is general information about roofs and roof surveys. It isn’t legal, insurance or structural engineering advice; for those, speak to a suitably qualified professional.