Asbestos in a Garage – Does Your Garage Have Asbestos?
We’ve put together this handy guide to explain everything you need to know about asbestos and garages…
It’s not uncommon to find asbestos cement materials used in the construction of garages. Asbestos was a material utilised in a variety of industrial and construction processes throughout the 20th century because it was a relatively cheap building material possessing a range of favourable properties. These properties made it an ideal material to use in the construction of garages . It was able to withstand erosion, decay, heat and weathering and was also lightweight and affordable.
Although it was sometimes used in the construction of the walls of a garage it’s more frequently found in the corrugated sheets used on the roof.
Are Asbestos Garage Roofs Dangerous?
Asbestos cement is the asbestos-containing material used in roofing. It consists of approximately 85% cement and 15% asbestos and, generally speaking, doesn’t pose a risk providing that it’s in good condition. This is because the asbestos itself is bound in a matrix of other non asbestos materials making it more difficult for fibres to be readily released.
However, fibre releases can occur when the material deteriorates or becomes damaged. Accidental damage or removal of the sheets can create a situation where fibres may be released and become airborne. These fibres can then be inhaled and enter into the lungs which can cause serious damage and potential life-threatening illnesses such as Lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
The condition of the roof will inevitably deteriorate over time with weather conditions and a lack of maintenance causing cracks and scrapes to occur leading to an increased likelihood that fibres may be released. The more cracks in your roof, the higher the chance that the asbestos may be disturbed.
Although not all asbestos-containing products present an immediate threat the risks associated with the material shouldn’t be taken lightly.
See more: Mesothelioma and Asbestos – An Overview of Mesothelioma
How to Tell if my Garage Roof or Walls Contain Asbestos?
If your garage was built pre-1999 (when the use of asbestos became banned in the UK), there is a good chance that asbestos cement sheets were used in its construction. Asbestos was used extensively as a building material in the UK between the 1950s and 1999 so any type of building built during this time may possibly contain it.
It’s worth noting that in many cases it is not possible to determine if a material contains asbestos or not with the naked eye and this also applies to people who regularly work with asbestos such as surveyors and removal operatives. The definitive way to discover whether a material contains asbestos is for a sample to be submitted to an accredited laboratory for analysis. Arranging for a professional inspection body such as our team here at Casa Environmental Services to undertake an asbestos survey is the most reliable and trusted method of establishing whether the material is in fact present in your garage. We’ll take samples of your corrugated roofs and walls and perform specialist analysis of the material in our purpose-built laboratory to not only identify its presence, but also whether it currently presents a risk to you. Contact us to find out more or to arrange for a survey.
Can I Remove the Asbestos Myself?
Even though it is not a legal requirement to hire a licensed contractor to remove asbestos cement material it is strongly advised that you do not attempt to remove the material yourself unless you are fully trained and equipped to do so. There may be serious health implications if the process isn’t carried out properly and the subsequent waste disposed of in the proper manner.
Asbestos Cement , if not removed and disposed of correctly can become a serious health hazard to those removing it and anyone they come into contact with subsequently.
It is much safer and easier to make use of a licensed asbestos removal organisation.
Asbestos Garage Removal Cost
The price for a contractor licensed by the HSE to remove an asbestos garage will vary significantly depending on the size and quantity of asbestos. It also depends on whether it’s just the roof you want removing or the entire garage and its concrete base.
For the best and most accurate costs it is recommended that you get a quote from our asbestos specialists. We will take all potential hazards into account and provide you with a competitive quotation for the removal and disposal of any asbestos you may have.
Learn More with Casa Environmental Services
We hope that this mini-guide has explained everything you were hoping to find out about asbestos in garages. However, if there’s anything else you would like to understand or to find out more about asbestos please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team today. We will be more than happy to answer any of your questions.
See more: What Does Asbestos Look Like – The Different Types of Asbestos and Where You Might Find Them
See more: Asbestos in Homes – A Homeowner’s Guide to Asbestos and What to Do
