Start with age
Asbestos cement was widely used in garage and shed roofs until the late 1990s. A garage built before 2000 with a grey, wavy or flat sheet roof is a candidate.
What it often looks like
- Grey corrugated or flat sheets, often with moss, lichen or dark staining
- Large sheets fixed with hook bolts or screws with washers
- Edges that are chipped or flaking
- No manufacturer marks visible from the ground
What does not tell you
Moss, colour and a weathered look do not prove or rule out asbestos. Modern fibre-cement sheets can look the same.
What to do next
- Leave the roof alone: do not walk on it, drill it or wash it
- Take photos from the ground and note the age of the building
- Send them to a contractor and ask whether sampling is needed
This guide is general information. It is not a survey and cannot confirm whether your roof contains asbestos.
