Asbestos in Roofing: What UK Property Owners Need to Know

What Is Asbestos Roofing and Why Is It Still So Common?

Asbestos cement was the dominant roofing material for garages, farm buildings, factories, and outbuildings from the 1940s through to the 1980s. The material combined Portland cement with chrysotile (white asbestos) fibres — typically 10–15% by weight — to produce sheets that were lightweight, fire-resistant, and cheap to manufacture. Corrugated profiles were used for pitched roofs; flat sheets for lean-tos and extensions. By the time asbestos was banned from new construction products in 1999, hundreds of millions of square metres of asbestos cement roofing had been installed across the UK.

The material does not degrade quickly. A well-maintained asbestos cement roof from 1965 can still be structurally sound today. That longevity is precisely why so much of it remains in place — there has been no compelling reason to replace it until it starts to fail. The problem is that failure, when it comes, is not always obvious from ground level. Weathering, frost damage, moss growth, and UV degradation all erode the cement matrix over time, progressively exposing the chrysotile fibres beneath.

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012), asbestos cement roofing is classified as a non-licensed asbestos-containing material when it is in good condition. The moment it is disturbed — whether by repair, replacement, or accidental breakage — the regulatory classification changes. Removal of asbestos cement roofing requires a competent contractor following a written risk assessment and method statement, and in many cases qualifies as notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) requiring HSE notification.

Types of Asbestos Roofing Found in UK Properties

Corrugated sheets are the most recognisable form, but asbestos was used in several roofing applications. Each type carries a different risk profile depending on condition and how it is disturbed.

How to Identify Asbestos Cement Roofing

Visual identification is possible with asbestos cement roofing in a way that is not practical with most other ACMs. The corrugated profile, grey-white colour, and characteristic surface texture of weathered asbestos cement are distinctive. That said, visual identification alone is not sufficient for regulatory purposes — only laboratory analysis of a sample confirms asbestos content.

If you are unsure whether your roof contains asbestos, an asbestos management survey will confirm the material type and condition, and provide a written record for your asbestos register. Sampling is carried out by a P402-qualified surveyor using correct containment procedures.

Weathering Stages and Risk Assessment

The condition of the roofing determines both the immediate risk and the urgency of action. The HSE's guidance on asbestos cement uses a four-stage condition assessment framework. Understanding which stage applies to your roof is the starting point for any management or removal decision.

The Regulatory Position: What Work Requires a Licence?

Asbestos cement roofing sits in a specific regulatory category under CAR 2012. Because it is a bonded material — the fibres are locked within the cement matrix — it is not automatically classified as licensable work. The key variables are the condition of the material and the nature of the work being carried out.

Removing intact asbestos cement sheets from a domestic garage is typically classified as notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW). This means the contractor must notify the HSE at least one working day before starting, keep health records for workers, and follow a written risk assessment. The work does not require an HSE licence, but it does require competence, correct PPE (minimum FFP3 respirator), and appropriate waste disposal.

Where the sheets are heavily weathered, friable, or have been previously damaged, the classification may escalate to licensed work. Similarly, any work involving sprayed asbestos insulation on roof structures is always licensed, regardless of condition. If you are unsure which category applies to your roof, read our guide on notifiable non-licensed work or call us for a free assessment.

When to Act: Four Triggers That Cannot Wait

How We Remove Asbestos Roofing

All asbestos cement roofing removal we carry out follows a site-specific risk assessment and method statement prepared before the job begins. Operatives wear FFP3 respirators and disposable coveralls. Sheets are carefully lowered — never dropped — to prevent breakage and fibre release. Where sheets are already cracked, we wet them before handling to suppress fibres during removal.

All waste is double-wrapped in heavy-duty polythene sheeting, labelled with the correct asbestos waste markings, and transported to a licensed disposal facility. We provide a consignment note confirming legal disposal — a document you will need if the property is ever sold or surveyed. For domestic garage roofs, we can typically complete the removal and dispose of the waste within a single day.

We cover Surrey, London, and the South East, including Guildford, Croydon, Woking, Reigate, and Crawley.

Frequently Asked Questions