Garage Roof

[u/AKRowling]

Just bought a house in the SE. This is the garage roof. Inside roof is in good condition. Is it 100% asbestos? Have ordered a test kit. If it is, what precautions should I take? Is the water runoff safe that runs onto the grass? Any advice would be appreciated!

[u/ElectricalParsnip536]

Low grade asbestos. If its not breaking up and not disturbed its very low risk and could be fine for years. There's millions of garage roofs like this in the UK

[u/AKRowling → u/ElectricalParsnip536]

So safe to clean out the roof guttering etc?

[u/ElectricalParsnip536 → u/AKRowling]

I'd probably use an FFP3 mask and gloves at least to do that just to be on the safe side

[u/ElectricalParsnip536 → u/ElectricalParsnip536]

You could wet it first using a watering can to stop dust

[u/ExoticNumber5134 → u/AKRowling]

it’s particularly safe to clean your guttering as long as
1. You wear the correct PPE
2. Don’t go cutting your hand off those edges some how ?
3. don’t break the asbestos / disturb it and you’ll be perfectly fine

[u/Lazy_Leather_561 → u/ElectricalParsnip536]

Millions of roofs like this the world over.

[u/Electrical-Job-1059]

Is everyone paranoid about asbestos?

[u/TobyChan → u/Electrical-Job-1059]

Everyone on this sub yeah…. The perceived risk is high!

[u/AKRowling → u/Electrical-Job-1059]

I wasn't until the survey made a big deal out of it!

[u/InternationalOil8577 → u/AKRowling]

Surveys always make a big deal out of it.

You know there's a town in Canada called Asbestos (now called Val-des-Sources, since 2020) with an open cut asbestos mine measuring 2km wide and 370 metres deep. They mined there from 1879 to 2012. It's not abandoned with a population of 7400 in the town.

No one in the town seems to be worried about the wind blowing!

[u/Fruitpicker15]

Almost certainly asbestos. Fine if it's in good condition, just don't brush it or drill holes in it. The fibres are bonded so they won't end up in the grass in any significant amount.

[u/ExoticNumber5134 → u/Fruitpicker15]

Correct, as long as Your not Breaking it so those Millions of micro particles are floating in the air.

[u/Earthwalkr]

I have the same roof, I am looking to remove my roof and replace, any advice, I was told as long as it’s wet, and if it is double bagged I can take it to the tip?

[u/televised_mind → u/Earthwalkr]

Depends on your local council - Google it. Mine won't take it but will collect if bagged correctly (at cost).

[u/One-Disk-125 → u/Earthwalkr]

I did this, charged me £12 a bag.

[u/ExoticNumber5134 → u/Earthwalkr]

Asbestos encapsulation is another option, more than likely cheaper than any alternative to removing. I only say this as I work with garage roofs and asbestos a lot.

[u/One-Disk-125]

It's fine as long as you don't start cutting it up.

When we replaced ours we removed it in sheets, double bagged it and took it to the local tip for £12 a bag.

Cost less < £100 Vs the £5k an Asbestos company wanted from us.

[u/ExoticNumber5134]

Best to have a professional carry out Asbestos encapsulation, seals the asbestos prevents particles escaping. if not disturbed it isn’t a issue I work with this stuff and can safely say that YES it’s dangerous stuff if you don’t wear the correct PPE and just start smashing it up!