Millions of UK garages and sheds built between the 1950s and 1990s have corrugated asbestos cement roofs. The material is safe while intact, but dangerous if broken, drilled or crushed — which is exactly what happens during careless demolition.
How to spot asbestos cement
Asbestos cement sheets are usually grey, corrugated, and weathered with moss. They are brittle and crack rather than bend. If your garage or shed roof looks like this and the building is over 25 years old, treat it as asbestos until proven otherwise.
Why you should not break it up yourself
Breaking asbestos cement releases fibres that cause serious lung disease years later. It is also illegal to dispose of asbestos in household waste or a general skip. Licensed disposal at an approved site with a consignment note is the only legal route.
How professional removal works
A typical asbestos roof removal follows these steps:
- Sheets are wetted to suppress dust
- Each sheet is removed whole — never snapped
- Sheets are double-wrapped or bagged on site
- Waste goes to a licensed hazardous waste facility
- You receive a waste consignment note as legal proof of disposal
What it costs
Asbestos removal on a single garage roof typically adds £300–£800 to a standard demolition job, depending on sheet count and access. Send photos through our quote form for a fixed price.