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 NSW homes, sheds and farm buildings before the national ban in 2003. Left intact, they generally pose a low risk. The danger comes when the material is broken, drilled, cut, cleaned or weathered, which is why roof work needs a proper assessment before any trades arrive on site.
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. Under NSW Work Health and Safety laws, roof work involving a fall risk must have appropriate fall protection in place, such as edge protection, safety mesh or crawl boards.
Because most roofs are well over 10 square metres, asbestos roof removal in NSW 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) requires a Class A licence. A licensed removalist can assess your roof, confirm the licence class required and explain the safety controls they’ll use.
It’s common to want to clean an old roof before painting or selling. On asbestos cement, that’s a serious mistake. NSW WHS regulations prohibit using high-pressure water spray or compressed air on asbestos, because it blasts fibres off the surface and spreads 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.
It’s also worth knowing that gutters and downpipes beneath weathered asbestos roofs can collect debris containing asbestos fibres, so cleaning them out should be approached with care.
Wagga Wagga and the Riverina regularly experience severe storms and hail that can crack or shatter older roofing.
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. If you need emergency help to cover a damaged roof, the NSW SES can be reached on 132 500. Let them know you suspect asbestos.
If solar installers, roof plumbers, painters, builders or electricians need access to an older roof, tell them that 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.
Getting an assessment early can save you from stop-work delays, accidental damage and a confusing handover between trades. For many homeowners, removing an asbestos roof before a solar installation or re-roof is the simplest way to keep the project moving.
A good quote tells you exactly what you’re paying for. Check whether it covers roof sheeting only, or also includes eaves, fascias, gutters and downpipes, internal clean-up of the ceiling space, waste packaging and disposal, temporary weather protection until the new roof goes on, coordination with your roofer for the replacement, and a clearance inspection once removal is complete.
Licensed asbestos removal in NSW follows a set process. Before starting licensed work, your removalist must notify SafeWork NSW at least five days in advance, so allow for this in your project timeline (emergency situations can be handled differently). The work area will be sectioned off with signage and barriers, and sheets are typically wetted down and removed whole where possible to minimise breakage.
Once removal is finished, the area must be inspected and cleared before it’s handed back. For bonded asbestos, a clearance inspection is carried out by an independent competent person, while friable asbestos requires a licensed asbestos assessor and air monitoring. You should receive a clearance certificate confirming the area is safe.
Asbestos waste in NSW must be wrapped in heavy-duty plastic, clearly labelled and taken only to a facility licensed to accept it. Loads over 100 kilograms or 10 square metres, which covers almost every roof, must be tracked through the NSW EPA’s Integrated Waste Tracking Solution (IWTS). Ask your removalist to provide proof of legal disposal.
If you’re replacing your roof, check with Wagga Wagga City Council whether the new roof needs approval. Like-for-like roof replacements are often exempt development in NSW, but this depends on the property and the materials used.
You should receive a written scope before work begins, and know exactly who to contact if site conditions change. You can check any removalist’s licence using SafeWork NSW’s online licence check.
Planning a re-roof, solar installation or storm repair? Call 0480 850 340 or request a quote online and we’ll help you take the next safe step.