Why You Can't Ignore Your Asbestos Roof
If your garage was built before the year 2000, it likely has a roof made from Asbestos Cement (AC) sheets. While this material is technically low-risk when new and undisturbed, time, weather, and accidental damage are your enemies. Over years, the sheets become brittle, often developing cracks or moss growth. This deterioration means that the asbestos fibres—which are otherwise locked in the cement—can be easily released into the air upon even slight disturbance or impact, creating a significant and immediate health hazard.
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The Risks of Deterioration
As AC sheets age, they become brittle, cracked, and moss-covered. Any damage—whether from a storm, accidental impact, or simple maintenance—can release microscopic asbestos fibres into the air.
Inhaling these fibres poses severe long-term health risks, including:
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Mesothelioma (a fatal cancer of the lung lining).
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Asbestosis (a serious chronic lung disease).
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Lung Cancer.
Ignoring a deteriorating roof isn't worth the risk. The safest course of action is professional removal and replacement.
Is It Asbestos? The Crucial First Step
Before any work begins on an older garage roof in Exeter, Torbay, or the wider Devon area, the crucial first step is to definitively confirm the presence and condition of asbestos. Many commercial garages, workshops, and storage units built before the year 2000 feature characteristic corrugated cement sheet roofing, which almost certainly contains chrysotile ('white') asbestos. Never disturb or attempt to remove this material yourself, as this is when dangerous fibres are released.
For commercial property owners and duty holders, the legal starting point is a professional Asbestos Survey.
Why a Survey is the Crucial First Step
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Safety and Compliance: It is legally required under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 to know the location and condition of any asbestos in a commercial property before maintenance or demolition.
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Definitive Proof: Our HSE-licensed surveyors will take small, non-destructive samples of the suspected material. These samples are sent to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis.
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Informed Strategy: The resulting Asbestos Survey Report provides the definitive confirmation, which allows CorSafe to legally and safely plan the next steps—be it secure asbestos roof removal and disposal or safe encapsulation of the garage structure.
The Professional Removal Process: Safe, Legal, and Stress-Free
Removing asbestos cement sheets is classified as Non-Licensed Work (NLW) under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. However, this work still demands strict adherence to the highest safety protocols.
We manage the entire job from start to finish, ensuring your family, neighbours, and property are protected.
Our 8-Step Controlled Procedure
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Site Containment: The work area is sealed off with barriers and warning signs to prevent unauthorised access (pets and children are kept clear). Any electrical supply is isolated.
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Safety Gear: All operatives wear specialist Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including disposable overalls and FFP3 respiratory masks.
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Fibre Suppression: The roof sheets are thoroughly dampened with water (often mixed with a wetting agent) to suppress dust and prevent airborne fibres.
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Careful Removal: Sheets are unscrewed or unbolted intact using hand tools only. We avoid breaking, cutting, or crushing the material, which is the main cause of fibre release.
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Triple Packaging: Removed sheets are immediately double-wrapped in heavy-duty 1000-gauge polythene sheeting, sealed with hazard tape, and clearly labelled "ASBESTOS WASTE."
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Site Decontamination: The garage and surrounding area are thoroughly cleaned using specialist HEPA vacuums and wet-wiped.
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Licensed Disposal: The bagged waste is transported by a Licensed Waste Carrier directly to an approved, licensed Hazardous Waste Disposal facility.
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Paperwork for You: You receive a formal Waste Consignment Note or Certificate of Disposal, providing legal proof that the hazardous waste was handled correctly.
Why Choose Us?
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✔ Licensed & Accredited: We are fully compliant with all UK asbestos regulations and have the accreditations to prove it.
✔ Commercial Specialists: We understand the unique complexities and demands of business properties.
✔ Minimal Disruption: We work around your operational schedule to ensure your business keeps running with as little downtime as possible.
✔ Clear, Upfront Pricing: We provide detailed, transparent quotes with no hidden costs or surprise fees—ever.
✔ Full Safety Assurance: From start to finish, our safety protocols guarantee your site remains protected and compliant.