Asbestos Shed Dismantling & Full Site Clearance, South Croydon

A 1960s Shed, Fragile Panels, and a Tight Access Route

The shed had been at the bottom of the garden since the 1960s. The homeowner had always known it was old, but had not considered that the construction material might be asbestos. A neighbour's shed removal project prompted them to have it surveyed, and the results confirmed what the age and appearance of the structure suggested: the walls and roof were constructed entirely from asbestos cement flat sheets.

The shed measured approximately 4m × 3m and was positioned close to the rear of the house, with limited vehicle access. Several panels were in a fragile condition — surface erosion and minor cracking were visible on the roof sheets. This ruled out any mechanical removal approach and required careful manual dismantling throughout.

The homeowner wanted the garden space back. The project was completed in under six hours, with the site left clean and the garden ready for unrestricted use the same afternoon.

How the Project Was Delivered

01

Pre-Removal Survey & Method Agreement

The homeowner had commissioned a pre-removal asbestos survey, which confirmed the shed walls and roof were constructed entirely from asbestos cement flat sheets. Our team conducted a pre-removal walkthrough with the homeowner to agree the safe working method, confirm access constraints, and identify the best route for waste removal given the limited vehicle access at the rear of the property.

02

Site Isolation & Containment

The shed and its immediate surroundings were isolated before any dismantling began. Polythene ground sheeting was laid around the full perimeter of the shed to capture any fragments or dust during the removal. The rear gate was opened to allow direct access for waste removal, and the homeowner was asked to keep the garden clear during the works.

03

Manual Dismantling — Roof First

The shed was dismantled panel by panel, starting with the roof. Working from roof to walls is the correct sequence for asbestos cement sheds — it prevents the roof from collapsing onto the wall panels during removal, which can cause fragmentation and uncontrolled fibre release. Each panel was wetted before handling, carefully detached from its fixing points, and lowered to the ground. Several panels were in a fragile condition and had to be removed in sections rather than as whole sheets.

04

Wall Panel Removal

With the roof clear, the wall panels were removed in sequence. The rear wall — which backed onto the boundary — was removed last, with additional care taken to prevent any debris falling onto the neighbouring property. All panels were wetted throughout and double-bagged immediately after removal. The concrete base was inspected once the structure was fully down and confirmed to be free of any asbestos-containing materials.

05

Waste Removal & Licensed Disposal

All bagged asbestos waste was carried through the rear gate and loaded into our licensed waste carrier vehicle. The total waste volume — approximately 18 double-bagged sheets — was transported to a licensed disposal facility on the same day. Full hazardous waste consignment notes were prepared and issued to the client. The site was swept and left clean.

06

Air Clearance & Documentation

An air clearance reading was taken after the waste was removed and before the polythene sheeting was struck. The reading confirmed the area was safe for unrestricted use. The air clearance certificate, disposal documentation, and a letter of completion were provided to the homeowner on the same day. The garden was ready for landscaping immediately.

Garden Cleared and Ready Within the Day

Very professional team. They arrived on time, explained exactly what they were doing, and left the garden completely clean. The price was very competitive and the paperwork was all provided the same day. Would definitely use again.

Related Services & Guides

Same-week appointments. Surrey and South London.