The honest answer
Asbestos cement roofing is generally treated as non-licensed work, and householders are not blocked from working on their own property in the way a business is. But the health risk is exactly the same for you as for a contractor, and HSE advises using a trained professional. Breathing in fibres can cause serious lung disease years later.
What safe removal involves
- Keeping the sheets wet so dust does not rise.
- Unfixing sheets without breaking them and lowering them, not dropping them.
- Appropriate respiratory protection and disposable overalls.
- Double wrapping in heavy-duty polythene, sealed and labelled.
- Keeping people and pets away, and clearing the area afterwards.
The hard parts
- Working at height. Old cement sheets are brittle and can break under weight. Falls through roofs are a leading cause of serious injury.
- Waste. You cannot put asbestos in the bin or take it to a normal tip. Check with Birmingham City Council what household asbestos disposal they offer and what limits apply.
- Cleaning up. Dust and fragments on the ground and in the gutters need proper handling.
If you still want to do it yourself
Read the HSE guidance at hse.gov.uk/asbestos first, and speak to Birmingham City Council about waste. Many people find that once safe access, protective equipment and disposal are costed in, using a contractor is not far off the same price.
This page is general information, not professional advice.
