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How to Tell If Your Garage Contains Asbestos
11 March 2025
If your garage was built before the 2000s, there’s a chance it could contain asbestos.
Asbestos was widely used in construction due to its durability and fire-resistant properties, but it was later banned due to the severe health risks it poses when disturbed. Many garages, especially those built between the 1950s and 1990s, were constructed using asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). If you’re wondering whether your garage contains asbestos, this guide will help you identify common signs and explain what steps to take next.
Common Places Asbestos May Be Found in a Garage
Asbestos was commonly used in various parts of garage construction. Here are some key areas where it might be present:
• Roofing Sheets – Asbestos cement sheets were frequently used for garage roofs due to their weather resistance.
• Wall Panels – Some garages, especially prefab ones, may have walls made from asbestos cement boards.
• Ceiling Boards – Older garages may contain asbestos ceiling panels.
• Floor Tiles – Some older garages have asbestos-containing vinyl or thermoplastic floor tiles.
• Pipe Insulation – If your garage has an old heating system or boiler, asbestos insulation may have been used around pipes.
• Garage Door Panels – Some older garage doors contained asbestos in the panelling.
How to Identify Asbestos in Your Garage
Since asbestos fibers are microscopic, you cannot confirm its presence just by looking. However, there are a few signs that might indicate asbestos:
- Age of the Garage – If it was built before 2000, asbestos is a possibility.
- Corrugated or Flat Cement Sheets – If your garage roof is made of corrugated or flat cement sheets with a rough, grayish texture, it may contain asbestos.
- Brittle or Fibrous Materials – Asbestos cement tends to be hard but can become brittle and crumbly over time.
- No Identifiable Markings – Modern non-asbestos cement sheets are often labeled as “asbestos-free.” If no such marking is present, testing is recommended.
- Moss and Weathering on Roof Panels – Over time, asbestos cement sheets may develop moss or signs of weathering, increasing the risk of fiber release if disturbed.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Asbestos?
If you suspect your garage contains asbestos, follow these steps:
1. Do Not Disturb It
Asbestos is only dangerous when disturbed, as it can release harmful fibers into the air. Avoid cutting, drilling, or removing any suspected asbestos materials.
2. Arrange for Professional Testing
The only way to be certain is through asbestos testing. A professional asbestos surveyor can safely collect a sample and send it to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for analysis. Results typically take 24-48 hours.
3. Consider Your Options
If asbestos is confirmed, you have a few options:
- Leave It Alone – If in good condition, asbestos can be left undisturbed and monitored.
- Encapsulation – Applying a sealant can prevent asbestos fibers from becoming airborne.
- Professional Removal – If the asbestos is damaged or poses a risk, a licensed asbestos removal contractor should handle the process.
Final Thoughts
Finding out your garage contains asbestos doesn’t mean immediate danger—it just means you need to handle it safely. The best approach is to have it professionally removed so you can have peace of mind it's being dealt with legally and safely.
If you need asbestos removal or expert advice, contact us today. We provide hassle-free garage removal to give you peace of mind.
If your garage was built before the 2000s, there’s a good chance it contains asbestos. While asbestos was widely used for its durability and fire-resistant properties, we now know that when asbestos deteriorates or is disturbed, it poses serious health risks. If your asbestos garage is old or damaged, it’s crucial to consider professional removal to ensure the safety of your household and the surrounding environment.
Have you removed the roof off your old garage or even removed the whole asbestos garage yourself? Now you’re wondering what to do with the asbestos sheets. We can help! Nottingham Councils do offer a service for you to take your asbestos cement waste to them. This can be booked online with them and there are restrictions , but they will accept it. Depending on the area you live in will depend on how much the asbestos disposal costs. To give you an idea – Nottinghamshire County Council charge £120 for you to take your asbestos to them. For more information on Nottingham local council asbestos disposal. Using a private company like us! We will collect your asbestos cement sheets direct from your property. No need to transport them yourself , no need to stack it in a skip yourself. Just simply leave the asbestos at your property and we do all the loading and disposal. Once we have completed the safe disposal , you get the legal documents to prove you’ve followed your duty of care! To help you further , we’ve added some popular FAQ’s we get from asbestos collection customers: Do I have to wrap the asbestos sheets before you collect? No , you do not have to wrap them , we will do this as part of the service. Can you collect any day of the week or is it just Saturdays? We can carry out the asbestos collections on any week days. How do I pay for the asbestos collection? When we have collected and disposed of the asbestos , you will get an invoice which can be paid online or over the phone by card. No up front payment required. Where is the asbestos disposed of? We take out asbestos to a licensed asbestos disposal site in Nottingham. This information will be displayed on the Hazardous Waste Consignment Note we provide to you. You can check their details on the Environment Agency Website. If you would like a quote for the collection and disposal of your asbestos , contact us on 01158 241995 WE NEVER OVERINFLATE PRICES!
Asbestos garages are made up of mainly cement asbestos , wooden frames , glass/wood windows and wooden doors. There are of course variations to this , but the main element is cement asbestos. The asbestos can be just on the roof in a corrugated style sheet or on the roof and sides (flat panels) As asbestos is a hazardous waste , it needs to be removed and disposed of safely and legally! Asbestos removed from your property will generally go two ways , it will either go to an Asbestos Waste Transfer Station then to Landfill or direct to Landfill. Asbestos Waste Transfer Station An asbestos waste transfer station is a site which has been specially designed to accept and store asbestos waste. The site will have been approved by the local council and Environment Agency to carry out this operation. A specialist Asbestos Waste Transfer Environmental Permit will be in place. Mostly , the asbestos from your home is brought into the asbestos site and loaded into large enclosed skips. The skips are kept compounded and locked. Once the skips are full , they are taken direct to an asbestos landfill. If you dispose of asbestos via an Asbestos Waste Transfer Station or the company you use for removal are taking it to one , make sure you have checked the sites Environmental Permit on the Environment Agency Public Register. The company will supply you with the permit number which can be checked. You can check Environmental Permits here : https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/index Asbestos Landfill Asbestos landfills are specially designed to accept asbestos waste , from bonded to fibrous. Like an asbestos waste transfer station , the landfill will also need an Environmental Permit and Planning Permission. You can check the environmental permit of the landfill here : https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/index There are strict controls in place which the landfill operator has to follow and will charge landfill tax for each ton of asbestos tipped. Specialist mapped out asbestos cells are created on the landfill site. Asbestos waste is tipped within the cell and covered over. Covering the asbestos with appropriate material , prevents the dispersion of asbestos fibres. The cells are for hazardous waste only and no non-hazardous waste should be mixed with it. Whether your asbestos is being disposed of at a transfer station or landfill , you still need a copy of the Hazardous Waste Consignment Note to prove your asbestos has been disposed of legally.
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If you’re looking around for asbestos garage removal , you may be wondering what the cost could be to remove yours. There are many factors which affect the price of asbestos garage removal , so we have listed some tips on how to make it as budget friendly as possible. 1. Remove the contents of the garage Additional costs will be charged if the asbestos company have to remove your garage waste first. Furthermore , in general you will be paying asbestos operative prices for waste clearance (there’s so many cheaper ways). So make sure your garage is empty so the asbestos operatives can get straight to work. 2. Remove overgrown ivy and bushes When asbestos garage removal takes place , the operatives need to be able to get around your garage without obstacles. They are handling asbestos , so need clear access. Whilst some bushes are fine , if you have over growing bushes, trees and ivy , it will be cheaper for you to get these removed first. 3. Let the company know the correct size of the garage Most asbestos removal companies like us can quote you from a photo. So , you need to make sure you get as much information in those photos as possible. If you’re taking a photo of a garage but miss out an extension on one side , this will cause higher costs when it comes to removal day. 4. Get the garage removed before it collapses. Some garages are in poor condition but are still standing. Therefore , it is always better and cheaper to get the garage removed before it falls down. A collapsed garage becomes a more in-depth job because of the broken asbestos. Therefore if you do start to see signs of deterioration , it’s best to get that garage removed as soon as possible 5. Dismantle the garage yourself Although this option is generally not advised by professionals , a lot of home owners will remove asbestos garages themselves. So if you are planning on doing it , make sure you’ve read how to do this correctly and the type of Personal Protective Equipment you need. The HSE have handy guides on low risk asbestos removal tasks. The cost reduction comes in because you’ve done all the hard work , so all you need is a reputable company to come and collect the asbestos for disposal.
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Making sure your asbestos garage is in good condition is paramount to extending it’s life. You may not be able to afford the cost of asbestos garage removal yet , or you’re just happy with it and want to carry on using it. Whatever your reason , we have devised some handy tips to help! 1. Regular inspections Keeping an eye on the condition of the asbestos every few months and especially after frost , high winds and heavy rain. If you notice minor cracks or leaks , these are easier to get fixed or encapsulated before they become a larger issue. 2. Cleaning out guttering Keeping your gutters clear will eliminate the build up of debris and water. Debris and water can cause issues with asbestos roofs , the water seeps into the asbestos can causes deterioration which in turn results in cracks and leaks. 3. Clearing off standing water Having a flat roof , which does not easily allow for water to drain off causes standing water. Standing water on the roof again can cause deterioration. By simply sweeping this off with a broom you can stop unwanted cracks and leaks on your asbestos garage roof. 4. Trim back overhanging trees and branches Trees can cause debris build up in your guttering (point 2), but there is also the risk that in high winds the branches will snap – which may damage your asbestos garage. Just keeping the greenery trimmed and away from your garage will help prevent these issues. By regularly monitoring and maintaining your garage you can extend it’s lift longer. Asbestos is only dangerous when it becomes air borne , so preventing and fixing damage is key to keeping your garage a safe space. If you need any further guidance or would like a quote for your asbestos garage removal , contact us on 01158 241 995