Roof & Eave Removal · Hobart

Asbestos Roof and Eave Removal in Hobart

Think your roof or eaves contain asbestos? Don't cut, drill, walk on or pull off a piece to check.

Asbestos cement roofing and eaves were used on thousands of Tasmania homes, sheds and farm buildings. Left intact, they generally pose a low risk. The danger comes when the material is broken, drilled, cut, cleaned or badly weathered, which is why roof work needs a proper assessment before any trades arrive on site.

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Planning

Why Asbestos Roof Removal Needs Careful Planning

Removing an asbestos roof is very different from removing sheeting at ground level. Height, access, weather, the condition of the sheets and the risk of breakage all affect how the job must be done.

Safety on the roof itself is a serious concern. Asbestos cement roofing is brittle and can give way under a person's weight, and falls through fragile roofs are a known cause of serious injury and death in Australia. Roof work must have appropriate fall protection, such as edge protection, safety mesh or crawl boards.

Because most roofs are well over 10 square metres, asbestos roof removal in Tasmania almost always requires a licensed removalist. Bonded asbestos over 10 square metres needs at least a Class B licence, while roofing that has become friable (for example through fire damage or severe deterioration) needs a Class A licence.

Close-up of weathered corrugated cement roof sheeting

Never Pressure-Clean or Water-Blast an Asbestos Roof — Tasmanian Work Health and Safety laws prohibit using high-pressure water spray or compressed air on asbestos, and restrict the use of power tools such as grinders, saws and sanders, because these release fibres. Water-blasting sprays contaminated slurry into gutters, gardens, pools and neighbouring yards. Sanding, scraping and wire-brushing are also unsafe. If you want to paint or seal an asbestos roof, get professional advice first.

Weather risk

Storm and Cyclone Damage to Asbestos Roofs in Hobart

Southern Tasmania's winter storms, strong winds and bushfire risk can all damage older asbestos materials. After a bushfire or house fire, bonded asbestos can become brittle and friable, making it much more hazardous. If an asbestos roof has been damaged, keep people and pets away from broken pieces, don't hose down or sweep up debris, and avoid walking on the roof. Contact your insurer and arrange a licensed professional to assess and make the area safe. For emergency help covering a damaged roof, call the Tasmania SES on 132 500 and tell them asbestos may be involved.

Gutters and downpipes beneath weathered asbestos roofs can also collect debris containing asbestos fibres, so cleaning them out should be approached with care.

Solar & re-roofing

Planning Solar, Repairs or a Re-Roof?

If solar installers, roof plumbers, painters, builders or electricians need access to an older roof, tell them asbestos may be present before they start. Many solar installers won't mount panels on asbestos roofing, and drilling or fixing through it can be unsafe and non-compliant. Removing an asbestos roof before a solar installation or re-roof is often the simplest way to keep your project moving. For repairs or rebuilding after removal, use a licensed Tasmanian builder, and check with your council about any building or demolition permits your project needs.

Your quote

What Your Asbestos Roof Removal Quote Should Include

Check whether your quote covers roof sheeting only, or also includes eaves, fascias, gutters and downpipes, clean-up of the ceiling space, waste packaging and disposal, temporary weather protection until the new roof goes on, coordination with your roofer, and a clearance inspection once removal is complete.

The process

What to Expect From the Process

Before starting licensed asbestos removal work, the removalist must lodge a notification (form AR1) with WorkSafe Tasmania at least five days in advance. Where immediate removal is needed, for example after damage or an emergency, there's a separate process: WorkSafe is notified by phone straight away and the form follows within 24 hours. On the day, the work area will be marked off with barriers and signage, and sheets are usually wetted down and removed whole wherever possible to minimise breakage.

After licensed removal, the area must pass a clearance inspection before it's used again. For friable (Class A) removal, a licensed asbestos assessor must carry out the clearance inspection and issue the clearance certificate. For bonded (Class B) removal, clearance is done by a competent person. You should receive a written clearance certificate. Asbestos waste must be wrapped in two layers of thick plastic or approved asbestos bags and taped securely so no dust can escape, then clearly labelled.

Ask before you book

Questions to Ask Before You Book

Who will carry out the removal, and what current licence do they hold?
How will roof access and fall protection be managed?
What happens if there's more asbestos than expected?
How will waste be packaged, transported and disposed of, and will I get proof of disposal?
Who will do the clearance inspection, and will I receive a clearance certificate?
Is temporary weather protection included if the new roof isn't installed straight away?