Garage Asbestos Roof Removal & Steel Roof Replacement, Croydon
Asbestos cement corrugated roof removed, Artex asbestos ceiling stripped, new steel roof sheet installed, and plasterboard ceiling fitted — all completed within two days at a residential property in Croydon.
Two ACMs, One Property, Two Days
This Croydon property presented a combination of asbestos-containing materials that required two distinct removal approaches within the same project. The garage roof comprised corrugated asbestos cement sheets — a non-licensed material under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, but one that still demands controlled removal, wet suppression, and licensed disposal. The interior ceiling was a different matter entirely.
Sampling of the Artex textured coating on the interior ceiling confirmed the presence of chrysotile (white asbestos). At the concentrations identified, this triggered a licensed removal requirement under CAR 2012 — meaning the work could only be carried out by an HSE-licensed contractor with a notifiable works notification submitted to the Health and Safety Executive. Our team holds that licence and managed both elements of the project under a single mobilisation.
The homeowner had already received quotes from other contractors who had treated the two materials as separate jobs requiring separate mobilisations. By handling both under a single visit, we reduced the overall cost and disruption significantly — and delivered a finished result within two days.
The interior photograph shows the corrugated asbestos cement sheets fixed directly to the timber roof structure. The grey, slightly textured surface is characteristic of weathered asbestos cement. The sheets were in a deteriorating condition, with surface erosion visible — a sign that fibre release was already occurring during rainfall and wind events.
Two Regulatory Frameworks, One Mobilisation
Managing two different ACMs within a single project requires careful planning. The asbestos cement roof removal is non-licensed work — it does not require an HSE licence, but it does require UKATA-trained operatives, appropriate PPE (FFP3 respirators, disposable coveralls), wet suppression, and licensed waste disposal. The Artex ceiling removal is licensed work — it requires an HSE licence, a 14-day notification to the HSE (or same-day notification where the work is urgent), negative-pressure enclosures, HEPA extraction, and a four-stage air clearance test before the enclosure is struck.
Running both elements concurrently — or in tight sequence — within a two-day window required a clear method statement, the right equipment on site, and an independent UKAS-accredited air analyst available to carry out the clearance test on day one so that the ceiling trades could proceed on day two.
Step-by-Step: How We Managed the Project
Initial Survey & Risk Assessment
Our UKATA-certified surveyor attended site to assess the garage roof and interior ceiling. The corrugated sheets on the roof were identified as asbestos cement — a non-licensed material under CAR 2012, but one that still requires controlled removal procedures. The interior Artex ceiling was sampled and confirmed to contain chrysotile (white asbestos), triggering a licensed removal requirement for that element of the work.
Site Preparation & Containment
The garage was isolated before any removal work began. Polythene sheeting was laid on the ground around the structure to capture any debris, and warning signage was erected at all access points. For the interior Artex removal, a full negative-pressure enclosure was erected with HEPA-filtered air extraction running throughout the works to prevent fibre migration into adjacent areas.
Asbestos Roof Removal
The corrugated asbestos cement sheets were carefully removed by hand from the roof structure. Wet suppression was applied throughout to minimise any fibre release during handling. Each sheet was lowered intact where possible, double-bagged in UN-approved asbestos waste sacks, and sealed immediately. The roof timbers were inspected once the sheets were clear — all were found to be structurally sound and retained for the new roof installation.
Artex Ceiling Removal
The interior Artex ceiling was removed using wet-scraping techniques within the negative-pressure enclosure. All waste was double-bagged and sealed inside the enclosure before being removed from the building. The ceiling substrate was thoroughly decontaminated and a four-stage visual inspection carried out before the enclosure was struck. Air clearance readings confirmed fibres were below the 0.01 f/cm³ clearance indicator before any further trades entered the space.
Licensed Waste Disposal
All asbestos waste — both the cement sheets and the Artex debris — was transported to a licensed disposal facility on the same day as removal. Full hazardous waste consignment notes were issued to the client, along with waste transfer documentation. This paperwork satisfies the Environment Agency's requirements under the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 and was provided to the homeowner within 24 hours of completion.
Steel Roof Installation
With the asbestos removed and the clearance certificate issued, our team installed the new steel roof sheeting over the existing timber structure. The installation took one and a half days. The green corrugated steel profile was selected by the homeowner to complement the garden setting and the property's existing render finish. All fixings were sealed and flashing fitted to the ridge and eaves to ensure a weathertight finish.
Plasterboard & Plaster Finish
Following the ceiling clearance, plasterboard was fixed to the ceiling joists and a two-coat plaster skim applied to a smooth finish. This left the interior ready for decoration, with a clean, modern ceiling replacing the original Artex. The entire interior transformation — from asbestos removal through to finished plaster — was completed within the two-day project window.
The finished steel roof uses a corrugated profile that mirrors the original sheet geometry, maintaining the character of the structure while eliminating the asbestos risk entirely. The green finish was selected by the homeowner. Steel roofing of this type carries a design life of 40+ years and requires no specialist disposal at end of life.
Asbestos-Free, Finished, and Documented in Two Days
Both asbestos elements were fully removed and cleared within the first day. Air clearance readings on the interior confirmed fibres below 0.01 f/cm³ — the HSE's clearance indicator — allowing the plasterboard and plastering trades to proceed on day two without delay. The new steel roof was installed and weathertight by the end of day one and a half.
The homeowner received a full documentation pack: hazardous waste consignment notes, waste transfer documentation, the air clearance certificate, and a letter of completion. The garage is now safe for unrestricted use, with a new roof carrying a 40-year design life and a clean, plastered ceiling ready for decoration.
Full Scope of Works
When we first assessed this garage, it was clear the asbestos cement roof had been weathering for decades — surface erosion was already releasing fibres into the air every time it rained. The owners had been using the space regularly, completely unaware of the risk. Getting the call to make it safe was exactly the kind of work we do this for. They chose us after a friend in another part of Croydon recommended us for a similar job — that kind of word-of-mouth trust means everything to us, and we make sure every project earns it.
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Asbestos garage roof, Artex ceiling, or any other ACM — we cover Croydon and the whole of South London. Same-week availability in most cases.
Get a Free Quote → 07345 062075Weathered asbestos cement releases fibres continuously during rainfall and wind. Cutting, drilling, or pressure-washing it generates exposures up to 240× the UK control limit. Do not disturb it without a risk assessment.
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