Old roof sheeting is one of the biggest asbestos risks on a Sydney property. Weathered sheets crack, break, and shed fibres over time. Hazardous Removal Company removes asbestos roof sheeting safely, with the right access gear and full compliance from start to finish.
Types of Asbestos Roof Sheeting
Asbestos cement was used on roofs across Sydney for decades. The common types are:
- Super Six corrugated sheets. These wavy grey sheets are the classic asbestos roof. They were used on houses, garages, sheds, and carports.
- Flat fibro sheets. Flat asbestos cement panels were used on some roofs and under eaves.
- Ridge capping. The capping along the top ridge of the roof often contains asbestos too.
If you have an old garage roof, our garage asbestos removal service covers that work as well.
How to Spot Asbestos Roof Sheets
Age is the first clue. If your roof sheeting was put up before 1990, there is a good chance it contains asbestos. Look at the shape and surface. Corrugated cement sheets with a dull grey colour and a slightly rough finish are a common sign. Over time the surface can go chalky, and moss or lichen may grow on it. None of this is proof on its own. Looks can fool you. A lab test is the only way to be certain, and we can arrange that before work starts. Drilling into the roof to fit solar panels, an antenna, or a vent also disturbs asbestos, so check before any work goes up there.
The Risk of Broken or Weathered Sheeting
Roof sheets take the full force of the weather. Sun, rain, and hail slowly break them down. As the cement weakens, fibres can loosen and wash into gutters or blow around the yard. Cracked or drilled sheets are more dangerous because the fibres are already exposed. Walking on old asbestos roofing is also risky, as the sheets can give way. Gutters and downpipes below the roof can collect broken fibres too, so they often need attention as part of the job. This is skilled work that should be left to a licensed crew with the right safety setup.
Our Roof Sheeting Removal Process
We remove roof sheeting with care and control.
- Access and scaffolding. We set up safe access, which may include scaffold and edge protection, so the crew can work without walking on fragile sheets.
- Wetting down. We wet the sheeting to hold the fibres in place. This stops dust from lifting into the air.
- Careful lowering. We lift the sheets off whole where possible and lower them down gently. We do not smash or break them.
- Air checks. On many jobs we arrange air monitoring so the air quality is checked during and after removal.
- Clean and clearance. We clean the area and provide a clearance certificate where required.
Council Notification and Rules
Roof removal often needs notice to SafeWork NSW before it begins, especially on larger jobs. Councils also set rules for how the waste is handled. Every load of asbestos must go to a facility that is licensed to take it. We manage the notifications and paperwork so your job stays on the right side of the rules.
Disposal
Asbestos roofing cannot go in a normal skip or tip. We wrap and label every sheet, then transport it to a licensed disposal site. We keep the disposal records as proof. That protects you and keeps the material out of parks, waterways, and streets. Illegal dumping carries heavy fines in NSW, and doing it by the book protects you from that risk.
Replacement Options After Removal
Once the old sheeting is gone, your roof is a clean slate. Many owners switch to modern materials at this point. Colorbond steel and new non-asbestos cement sheeting are common choices. They are lighter, safer, and last for years. We focus on the safe removal side. From there, your roofer can fit the new roof on a sound, cleared surface. This is also a good time to add new sarking or insulation, which was often missing under old asbestos roofs.
Why Choose Hazardous Removal Company
We hold a SafeWork NSW asbestos removal licence (AD213403). We work safely at height, follow the rules, and give you the documents that prove the roof was cleared properly. Roof work often connects to other jobs on the property, so we can also handle your wider asbestos removal needs.
Who We Help
We help Sydney homeowners and property owners with old, tired roofs that need to come off safely. Many are on fibro homes across Macarthur, Western Sydney, and Greater Sydney. If your roof sheeting is grey, wavy, and decades old, call us before it breaks apart. Roof work often runs alongside a bathroom asbestos removal job, and we can plan both in one go.
Roof Sheeting Questions
Is corrugated cement roofing asbestos? On older buildings it very often is. A test confirms it.
Can I pressure wash my asbestos roof? No. Washing or scrubbing breaks fibres loose and spreads them. Leave it alone and call a licensed remover.
Do you replace the roof too? We remove the asbestos safely. Your roofer fits the new roof after.
Will I get a clearance certificate? Yes, where the job requires one.
Need old roof sheeting removed safely? Call Hazardous Removal Company on +61 452 224 398 or contact our team for a free quote and inspection. We will assess the roof and give you a safe removal plan.
