Asbestos roofing and the reroofing decision
Corrugated asbestos-cement roofs installed before 1987 are common on Australian homes, sheds and rural buildings. Weathering releases fibres; here is how the removal and reroofing sequence works.
Corrugated asbestos-cement (‘Super Six’) sheets were installed on tens of thousands of Australian homes, sheds, patios and rural buildings from the 1950s until the mid-1980s. As the cement matrix weathers, the surface breaks down and airborne fibre counts rise, particularly after storms, tree impacts or high-pressure cleaning. Painting the sheets extends life but does not eliminate the underlying deterioration.
Removal is licensed work
A residential asbestos roof is almost always more than 10 m², so removal must be carried out by a Class B (non-friable) or Class A licence holder. Sheets must be kept intact — never broken, cut or dropped — misted with water or PVA to suppress fibres, wrapped in 200 micron plastic, sealed with warning tape and labelled asbestos waste before disposal at a licensed landfill.
Combining removal with reroofing
Because the roof is already open, most home owners combine asbestos roof removal with immediate reroofing in Colorbond steel, allowing the roof plumber to install sarking, upgrade insulation and correct battens and flashings in the same visit. Booking a licensed removalist that also offers or subcontracts reroofing avoids exposure gaps and typically reduces cost per square metre.
Solar panels on an asbestos roof
Do not install solar panels on an existing asbestos roof. Drilling and foot traffic disturb the sheets and future removal becomes far more expensive because panels must be dismounted first. Complete the asbestos removal and reroof, then install PV on the new metal deck.
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