Asbestos Roof Removal

Where asbestos is found in roofs

Corrugated asbestos cement roofing was used on homes, garages, sheds and commercial buildings across Victoria until the mid 1980s. After decades in the weather, these roofs often become brittle, moss covered and cracked, which increases the chance of fibres being released. We commonly remove asbestos from:

• Corrugated “super six” style roof sheeting on houses, garages and sheds
• Carport and patio roofs
• Ridge capping, barge boards and roof flashings
• Gutters and downpipes made from asbestos cement in some older homes
• Flue pipes and vents passing through the roof

Older sheds and garages in Dandenong and Frankston, along with original homes and beach shacks around Mornington and Chelsea, are typical examples. A roof job can easily be paired with asbestos flue removal or asbestos ceiling removal if those materials sit below the roof line.

Our asbestos roof removal process

Roof removal combines asbestos safety with working at heights, so planning is everything:

• Inspect: we check the roof, its structure and access, and confirm the material with asbestos testing where needed.
• Set up safely: we arrange edge protection, scaffolding or other fall protection suited to the roof.
• Protect the site: the area below is sheeted and signed, and neighbours are considered in our set up.
• Wet and unfix: sheets are sprayed to keep dust down and fixings are removed so each sheet lifts off whole.
• Lower, never drop: sheets are handed or lowered to the ground and stacked on heavy plastic.
• Clean gutters and surrounds: gutters, ground and surfaces are cleaned of debris.
• Dispose and clear: waste is wrapped, labelled and taken to an authorised facility, with a clearance certificate available.

Signs your asbestos roof is deteriorating

Asbestos cement roofs weather slowly, and damage is not always obvious from the ground. Common warning signs include heavy moss or lichen growth, a rough or powdery surface, cracked or broken sheets, rusting fixings, leaks inside the building and fragments collecting in gutters or on paths below. Hail and storm events can also crack sheets without you noticing straight away. A deteriorating roof does not always mean immediate danger, but it does mean the material is breaking down and should not be walked on, cleaned or repaired without professional advice. If you are planning solar panels, a second storey or a new roof, having the old sheets removed first gives your roofer or builder a safe starting point.

What affects the cost

Every roof is different, so we inspect before quoting. Key cost factors include:

• Roof area, pitch and height
• Access for scaffolding, edge protection and waste handling
• The condition of the sheets, as weathered or broken roofs take longer
• Gutters, flashings, ridge capping or flues that also contain asbestos
• Whether you need a temporary cover until the new roof goes on

Your safety and compliance

Most asbestos roofs are much larger than 10 square metres, so under WorkSafe Victoria rules they must be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist. Asbestos roofs must never be water blasted or cleaned with high pressure equipment, as this breaks down the surface and spreads fibres across your property and your neighbours’ yards.

EPA Victoria requires asbestos waste to be securely wrapped, labelled and taken only to a facility authorised to accept it. For commercial and industrial properties, waste movement is recorded through EPA’s Waste Tracker. We are registered with the EPA in Victoria and take care of the waste paperwork. If you are replacing the roof, we can work around your roofer’s schedule so the building is not left exposed.

We remove asbestos roofs across Melbourne, from Brighton through to Mornington. Get a free quote for your asbestos roof removal.