Asbestos garage roof

We are buying a property which has a pitched corrugated asbestos cement sheet garage roof which is currently in a 'weak and short lived condition'. Are there any legal requirements covering removal and disposal of it? Can it be repaired or does it have to be replaced? Can it be repaired by me DIY or does it require a specialist and/or approved contractor? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Asbestos is a heavily regulated material and many requirements exist to protect employees and the public. You can however remove the material yourself follow guidance published by HSE see http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials/index.htm but it will require specialist disposal. Your local authority will be able to advise you upon disposal locally. The alternative is employ a contractor to remove and dispose of the material on your behalf.

Current legislation recognises the difference between various asbestos products;accordingly the licensing regulations do not apply to asbestos cement products.You have no legal obligation to remove asbestos cement structures just because they are asbestos containing.A common problem if you are selling your house is for a surveyor to suggest you have to remove your asbestos cement materials;threatening you with devaluation of your property if you fail to comply.The prosprctive buyer of your property will not be under any legal obligation to remove the structures, and should they wish to remove them for other reasons, it should cost no more than removing non-asbestos cement materials.Asbestos cement materials does not require a specially licensed asbestos removal contractor to do the work.You can remove/repair the cement sheets yourself if you feel competent enough.As with such work care should be taken handling materials and always observe appropriate safety procedures.The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggests you kit yourself out with all the necessary precautionary safety equipment (mask,gloves,etc)and treat the asbestos cement with respect.If you need to break it up, do so carefully and double bag it ready for disposal.The asbestos needs to be taken to a specially licensed tip.Some local Councils provide domestic asbestos waste collection service.Your Council will be able to advise you on where your local asbestos licensed tip is.

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