Asbestos was a go-to material for garage and shed roofs across the UK until it was fully banned in 1999. It’s lightweight, fire-resistant and cheap — but also deadly if disturbed.
If you’ve got an old cement garage, corrugated roof sheets or outbuildings on your property, there’s a strong chance asbestos could be present. So what should you do next, and is DIY removal ever worth the risk?
What Does Asbestos Look Like in Garage and Shed Roofs?
Many sheds and garages built before the 1990s were fitted with asbestos cement roof panels. While they may not look dangerous, these materials can pose a serious health risk if disturbed. If you’re unsure whether your outbuilding contains asbestos, common signs to watch out for include:
1. Age of the Structure
If your garage or shed was built before 2000, especially between the 1950s and 1980s, there’s a high chance it may contain asbestos. Asbestos cement was widely used for garage roofs, wall panels, and soffits during this period.
2. Corrugated Roofing Sheets
Look for grey, corrugated cement boards with a rough texture. These are often mistaken for standard fibre cement, but older versions may contain asbestos. They’re commonly used on pitched garage or shed roofs.
3. Bitumen-Based Roofing Felt
Asbestos was sometimes used in roofing felts or underlays to improve heat resistance, particularly in flat-roofed sheds and outbuildings.
4. Asbestos Cement Wall Panels
Some sectional garages have wall panels made from the same asbestos cement as the roof. These often look like flat grey boards, around 6–10mm thick, and are sometimes bolted into metal frames.
5. No Labelling or Product Markings
Unlike modern roofing materials, older asbestos sheets usually have no visible safety markings, making them harder to identify without professional testing.
6. Signs of Wear or Age
If your garage or shed roof is degrading and more likely to release asbestos fibres if disturbed.
- Crumbling, cracked or flaking
- Covered in moss or lichen
- Brittle and dusty around the edges
Do’s and Don’ts of Dealing with Asbestos in Sheds and Garages
- DO Get the roof professionally tested for asbestos
- DO Avoid drilling, cutting, breaking, or removing any part of it yourself
- DO Keep children and pets away from the area
- DO Seal off access if it’s damaged
- DON’T Attempt to dismantle the roof without PPE
- DON’T Break the sheets (this is when fibres are most likely to be released)
- DON’T Dispose of asbestos waste at a regular tip, it’s illegal
- DON’T Pressure wash or sweep asbestos cement sheets, this spreads fibres
Can You Remove an Asbestos Garage Roof Yourself?
We do not recommend removing an asbestos roof yourself, or any asbestos containing materials for that matter.
DIY asbestos removal is technically legal for homeowners in the UK, but there are serious health, safety and legal risks involved.
Health Risks
- Simply cracking or snapping an asbestos panel can release thousands of fibres into the air
- Fibres are invisible and odourless, and once inhaled, they stay in your lungs long term
- Asbestos exposure is linked to life-threatening illnesses like mesothelioma and asbestosis
Legal & Disposal Risks
- You can’t throw asbestos waste in a skip or normal household bin
- Many council tips won’t accept asbestos unless it’s double-wrapped, labelled, and booked in
- Incorrect disposal can lead to fines, prosecution or worse
Safety Risks
- Roof panels are fragile, walking on them can cause serious injury or falls
- You’ll need specialist PPE, disposable overalls, masks, sheeting, and licensed waste disposal
What’s Involved in Professional Asbestos Roof Removal?
Removing an asbestos garage or shed roof isn’t just a matter of unscrewing a few sheets, it’s a tightly controlled process. Hiring a licensed contractor like Fibre Safe means the work is carried out safely, legally and efficiently, with minimal risk to your family, neighbours, or the environment. A professional asbestos roof removal typically includes:
1. Site Survey and Material Testing
A qualified surveyor will assess the structure and confirm whether asbestos is present, what type it is, and the condition of the materials.
2. Safety Set-Up
The area is sealed off to prevent unauthorised access, with warning signage installed. Operatives wear full PPE and follow strict safety protocols.
3. Careful Sheet Removal
Asbestos cement sheets are carefully unscrewed or unbolted in whole sections, never broken or cut, to avoid releasing fibres.
4. Dust Suppression
Specialist tools and techniques, such as wetting down materials, are used to prevent airborne dust during removal.
5. Licensed Waste Handling
All asbestos materials are double-wrapped, clearly labelled, and transported to a licensed asbestos waste facility in accordance with UK law.
6. Decontamination and Clearance
The site is cleaned and inspected, with a final wipe-down of surfaces before safe re-entry is permitted.
IMPORTANT
This process requires specialist training, equipment, and legally compliant waste disposal – far more than a DIY project with a crowbar and dust mask.
Case Study: Safe Asbestos Garage Removal in Port Sunlight, Wirral
Asbestos garage roofs remain a widespread issue across the UK, especially in post-war housing estates, older council properties, and residential developments like Port Sunlight on the Wirral.
We recently completed a complex project here, carefully removing 14 dilapidated concrete sectional garages containing asbestos cement roofing.
Given the village’s historical importance and close residential setting, meticulous planning was essential to protect tenants, manage traffic, and minimise disruption to the local community.
This project highlights just how common asbestos containing materials still are, not just in older homes, but also in outbuildings, garages, and sheds that were often built with cost-effective materials like asbestos cement. While these structures may appear stable from the outside, age, weathering, and wear can make asbestos roofing sheets increasingly fragile and dangerous to handle.
Attempting to dismantle or dispose of these roofs without the correct training or equipment can release hazardous fibres into the air, putting homeowners, neighbours, and even pets at risk. That’s why professional asbestos removal isn’t just the safest route, it’s often the quickest and most cost-effective too. From securing the site and safely removing the panels, to licensed disposal and site clearance, experienced contractors can handle the full process without the stress, delays, or dangers of going it alone.
For asbestos garage removal in Liverpool, Wirral or across Merseyside contact Fibre Safe.
Our highly experienced team are fully licensed, insured, and ready to help.
Get in touch or call 0800 458 4136.
Need An Asbestos Garage Roof or Shed Roof Removed?
If you suspect your garage or shed roof contains asbestos, don’t touch it. It’s not worth risking your health, your neighbours, or legal trouble. Get it tested, and if needed, leave removal to the professionals.
Whether you’re in Liverpool, the Wirral, Merseyside or anywhere in the North West, Fibre Safe are here to help. We’re trusted by homeowners, landlords and housing associations across the North West for fast, professional asbestos removal.
✔ Fully licensed & insured
✔ UKAS-accredited testing available
✔ Safe removal & disposal
✔ Competitive quotes
Don’t take risks with asbestos. Contact Fibre Safe today for expert guidance, a free quote, or to book a survey on 0800 458 4136 or send a message here.
