removing and replacing asbestos cement garage roof

[John Nagelson]

I've got an asbestos cement roof on my small 1930s garage. Knowing that asbestos cement is not seen as being as dangerous as asbestos without cement, I've until now taken the attitude that I won't cause any damage to it and it won't cause any trouble to me. But now it's leaking. I really don't want to mess about with it. Sure I could spray something on it, but I feel this might be the start of the slippery slope - leaks, drying up after the leaks, crumbling at the edge of cracks, fibres breaking away.

So maybe the time has come to have it removed and replaced. I've never done anything with asbestos before, so I know this is a DIY group but it's probably something I'd want to call someone in for, just to make sure that no-one inhales any fibres or leaves any lying around. A friend's husband died of asbestosis.

I imagine there are all sorts of sharp-intake-of-breath conmen around in this field, so how do I ensure a) I get a proper job done, in accordance with all laws and regulations covering asbestos cement disposal, and b) I pay a reasonable amount only?

Cheers!

John

[dom]

Corrugated sheet asbestos is really not terribly dangerous stuff, although it is much heavier than you expect. I removed the roof of my old garage myself, and at that time Cambridgeshire council accepted sheet asbestos ( in small quantities) at the recycling centres.

You local council should have a list of waste handlers licensed to do this, but AIUI - for a one off job and following HSE guidelines - any builder can do this job, but must pay for licensed disposal of the waste.

So maybe start with you local council, and ask a *reputable* local builder about what they can do.

[David WE Roberts]

Allegedly only certain types of asbestos are harmful and also only in large quantities. A while since I looked at this but we have disposed of asbestos ourselves in the past, carefully following the recommended precautions.

is an interesting resource. Asbestosis is allegedly mainly (only?) found in people who have had very long term exposure such as in manufacturing and in applications where they have been dealing with loose asbestos insulation. Back gardens throughout the country are littered with cement sheets which may or may not contain asbestos so they are not an uncommon thing at all, not are they generally high risk. I have a couple of small sheets at the moment, which I decided should not be added to the poured concrete floor of the shed just to hide them.

In principle you should be able to remove this yourself safely, especially if you can avoid any cutting or drilling of the sheets. Obviously you need to be able to lift them safely so a helper would be good.

Your main problem will be the disposal - most places seem to charge an arm and a leg to take this (although Basingstoke tip used to take it for free, which IMHO was very sensible). I still don't understand the logic of making it very difficult and expensive to hand in supposedly dangerous substances. This just encourages people to fly tip, and then the council has to send someone out to clear it up anyway.

Talk to your local council and see where they will accept it, how much they will take at one time, and how they want it wrapped. We double wrapped in builders plastic and sealed both wrappings with gaffer tape.

You will need some kind of transport which will take full sheets of roofing but I think that you will find hiring a trailer or small van/truck for a day much cheaper than paying a specialist contractor.

Looking back to previous discussions

't find anything on the NG about how we did it in the end, though.

Cheers

Dave R

[MuddyMike]

Our council (Richmondshire) will take it for free at certain recycling centres but they insist it is double wrapped in polythene.

Mike

[dom]

The logic is council's saving money

Dumped on farmland = not their problem.

West Norfolk are doing their best to avoid accepting waste of any kind

- result - flytipping, and when close to the borders using neighbouring council's tips.

[Steve Walker]

If you decide to remove it youself (keep it wet and there won't be any fibres released), I pretty sure that all councils are required to provide facilties to dispose of it. Generally it must be double wrapped and sealed up.

SteveW

[DavidM]

My neighbours have corrugated asbestos sheet on their garage roof (in a block of garages, I have two of them - Marley I think).

They just had a new flat roof just put on over the top of theirs - battens across the corrugations, external t&g chipboard, heavy duty felt. Probably not beyond a reasonably competent diy-er.

[Dave Liquorice]

'cause of the land fill tax no doubt.

What is wrong with that? Our nearest dump is in another county, the biggest snag is that the turning circle of my car only just fits in the space provided. I normally take a trailer and car load when I go, reversing a trailer starting from full lock is not my idea of fun. Damn thing still jack knifes even if I fully change lock before moving. B-(

[Alan Braggins]

These days Cambridgeshire only accept it at one site, and you have to arrange it in advance, bringing it in bags they provide.

[dom]

Back then - I explained on the phone that I had a whole garage roof to get rid of - chappie told me each centre could only accept one sheet, but I could go round each centre and get rid of a sheet at a time. No- one watching at Milton - woosh - all went in the same asbestos- handling skip.

I now live in West Norfolk - their policy could be summarised as "we don't accept any quantity of waste of any kind". Oh and "you've got to have this waste incinerator, even though 95% of you voted against it".

[Nick Paice]

There is a common misconception that only a licensed removal agency or loca l authority can remove your tired asbestos garage. The Environment Agency w ill grant a license to a company to become a bonafide upper tier waste carr ier. Even so, the company still has to have a means of legitimately disposi ng of the waste preferably an account with the large landfill organisation. Needless to say, checking the credentials of the company including their l icense number is a must.

[harryagain]

There's a goverment website on the topic.

[jrwalliker]

I recently asked building control for advice about cutting a hole in what might be asbestos cement for a ventilator. They were very helpful - and suggested looking at the HSE website. This recommended spraying the area to be cut with shaving foam to catch any fibres that might be released during drilling, then clean up carefully afterwards.

All very sensible and straightforward.

John

[Tim Watts]

Foam... That is a very good and yet simple idea...

[Tim Lamb]

So who still uses shaving foam? Otherwise brilliant:-)

[Tim Watts]

Have not shaved for 14 years. And do not intend to start!

[Chris French]

In message , Tim Lamb writes

Me. I prefer a wet shave to electric razor.

Well, normally I use shaving gel, which lathers up on the face, but I'll use foam if that's what there is

[Brian Gaff]

Not so sure about that, as you can do it yourself as long as you observe the rules and double bag and label the stuff and make sure te the site is clean. I was told that the asbestos cement is not really that hazardous as there are no long fibres in it as there is in the blue asbestos lagging and insulation material. Having said all that, I've still got to put this advice to the test on a garage and a shed roof. Brian