Asbestos roof removal in Toowoomba

Asbestos roof removal in Toowoomba starts with one question: is the roof really asbestos cement, and what condition is it in? Plenty of older homes, sheds and garages have corrugated or flat cement sheet roofing from before the late 1980s. This guide covers how to spot the signs, what removal involves and what not to do while you decide.

Signs your roof may be asbestos

Asbestos cement roofing was common in Australian buildings from the 1940s to the late 1980s. A roof from that era is a candidate. Clues include:

• grey, rigid corrugated or flat sheets rather than metal
• a chalky, weathered or mossy surface
• ridge capping and gutters made from the same material
• a building, extension or carport dating from before 1990

None of these proves it. A lab test on a sample is the only way to be sure. Our overview of asbestos removal in Toowoomba explains how testing fits in.

Is it safe to leave it?

A roof that is intact and in reasonable condition is usually a low risk, because the fibres are locked inside the cement. Trouble starts when sheets crack, flake or break down with age, or when something disturbs them.

Toowoomba sits high on the Great Dividing Range and gets stronger winds and hail than many places. Storm damage can crack sheets and scatter pieces across a yard. If that has happened, keep people and pets away and call us before you pick anything up.

What not to do

Some common roof jobs are prohibited around asbestos because they release fibres:

• Do not use a high pressure water cleaner on an asbestos roof. A homeowner can be fined up to $10,000, plus clean-up costs.
• Do not use power tools, sanders or grinders on the sheets.
• Do not drill or cut sheets to fit a solar panel bracket or aerial.
• Do not walk on old sheets. They can break without warning, which is a fall risk as well as an asbestos risk.

How the roof comes off

Every roof is different, but removal by a licensed crew generally runs like this.

1. We inspect the roof and confirm the material, usually with a lab sample.
2. We prepare the Asbestos Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for your site.
3. The work area is cordoned off and the ground below is protected.
4. Sheets are unfastened and lowered whole where possible, rather than broken up. Wetting is used where it is safe, but not where it would make the roof dangerous to work on.
5. Waste is wrapped, sealed and labelled, then transported to a facility licensed to take it.
6. We do a complete site clean, including gutters and the ground around the building.
7. An independent assessor or competent person inspects the area and you receive a clearance certificate.

The clearance inspection is done by someone separate from the removal crew. That is a requirement, and it is there to give you an unbiased check.

What a roof job can include

Roof sheeting is often only part of the story. Ask about gutters, ridge capping and debris in the roof space. Eaves are covered in asbestos wall and eaves sheeting removal. A replacement roof is separate work done by a roofer.

The 10 square metre rule

A homeowner can remove 10 square metres or less of bonded asbestos without a licence. A normal house roof is far bigger than that. A garage or carport roof may be larger too. Over 10 square metres, the work must be done by a licensed contractor or a certificate holder. Our contractors hold a Class B licence for bonded asbestos.

Roof sheeting that is burnt or crumbling is a different matter. Fire damage can make asbestos cement flake and release fibres. That is friable material and needs a Class A licensed removalist, so call us to talk through your options.

Planning around the weather

Roof work and weather do not mix. Wind spreads dust and wet sheets are slippery. If you are planning a re-roof, talk to us early so asbestos removal and your new roofing can be sequenced sensibly. We cover the Toowoomba suburbs and nearby towns. Rules change, so check the current requirements at asbestos.qld.gov.au. For other jobs on the same property, see asbestos shed and garage removal.