Asbestos Roof Removal: What Homeowners Need to Know

How do I know if my roof contains asbestos?

Asbestos was used in some older roofing materials because it was strong and resistant to heat. Materials worth checking include:

Not every corrugated roof or decramastic roof contains asbestos. You cannot reliably confirm it from its colour, shape or a photograph. WorkSafe identifies Super Six roofing as a possible asbestos-containing material and has also reported asbestos contamination from waterblasting older decramastic tiles.

Arrange testing before you disturb a suspect roof. Have a competent professional collect representative samples for analysis by an appropriately accredited or approved laboratory. Avoid climbing onto the roof or breaking off a piece yourself.

• Corrugated asbestos cement roofing, often called Super Six.
• Some older decramastic roof tiles, where asbestos may be present in the surface coating.
• Associated materials such as soffits, which are the panels underneath the roof edges.

Does an asbestos roof always need removing?

Finding asbestos does not automatically mean your roof needs immediate removal.

Material that is in good condition and left undisturbed generally presents less risk than material that is damaged or being worked on. Cutting, drilling, sanding and waterblasting can release fibres.

Ask for an assessment if your roof is deteriorating, leaking or due for replacement. The condition of the material and the proposed work will help determine whether it can be managed in place or should be removed.

Never waterblast a roof that contains asbestos

A roof covered in moss or lichen may look like it needs a good clean. However, high-pressure waterblasting must not be used on asbestos-containing roofing.

It can damage the material and spread asbestos contamination onto gardens, neighbouring properties and inside the home. WorkSafe’s August 2026 safety alert describes a residential decramastic roof where waterblasting led to contamination requiring specialist remediation.

Before booking roof cleaning or painting, check whether asbestos testing is needed.

Who should remove an asbestos roof?

For contractors carrying out asbestos removal in New Zealand:

“Non-friable” means the asbestos is bound into a material, such as cement. “Friable” means it can be crumbled or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry.

A Class B licence covers non-friable asbestos removal. The material’s condition must still be assessed before deciding how the work should proceed.

For homeowners, professional removal also addresses another serious hazard: falls. Older asbestos cement roofs can become brittle, and workers can fall through them as well as off the edges.

• Removal of more than 10 m² of non-friable asbestos requires a licensed asbestos removalist.
• Any quantity of friable asbestos requires a Class A licensed removalist.
• A larger project cannot be divided into smaller sections to avoid licensing requirements.

What happens during asbestos roof removal?

A well-planned job should cover the following stages.

1. Confirm the materials and scope

The contractor reviews the asbestos information and checks the roof area, condition and access.

Make sure the quote clearly identifies what will be removed. House roofing, garage roofing, soffits and gutter debris may involve different work and costs.

2. Plan the removal and replacement roof

Agree how the asbestos removalist and roofer will coordinate the work.

Ask who will provide scaffolding, protect the exposed building from rain and arrange the handover to the roofer. These responsibilities should be clear before work begins.

Licensed asbestos removal normally requires notification to WorkSafe at least five days before it starts, so allow time when arranging your project.

3. Set up and carry out controlled removal

The removalist establishes the work area and uses suitable protective equipment, dust controls, decontamination arrangements and waste handling procedures.

Asbestos waste must go to a facility authorised to accept it. It should not go into an ordinary household rubbish bin or general waste skip.

4. Clean the area and arrange clearance

Licensed removal includes a clearance inspection. For Class B work, this can be carried out by an independent competent person or an independent licensed asbestos assessor.

A clearance certificate must be issued before the removal area is reoccupied. Ask who will arrange this inspection and whether its cost is included in your quote.

How much does asbestos roof removal cost?

Asbestos roof removal costs depend on more than the roof’s size. Factors your contractor should consider include:

When comparing quotes for Super Six roof removal or decramastic roof asbestos removal, check that they cover the same work.

A cheaper removal quote may exclude scaffolding, clearance or disposal. Also check whether GST is included and whether replacement roofing is priced separately.

• The roofing material and its condition.
• The roof’s height, slope and number of separate sections.
• Access for workers, equipment and waste collection.
• Scaffolding and fall protection.
• Existing debris or contamination requiring additional cleaning.
• Disposal, clearance and temporary weather protection.

Can we stay at home during the work?

Discuss this before accepting the quote. The answer depends on the roof, the work area and how the removalist will protect occupants.

Ask about access to your home, keeping children and pets away from the work area, and any temporary arrangements for windows, ventilation or roof-water collection.

Do not assume that a neighbour’s arrangements will suit your property.

Questions to ask before booking

Before choosing an asbestos roof removal contractor, ask:

Clear answers help you understand what you are paying for and how the job will run.

• Has the roofing material been tested?
• Does the contractor hold the appropriate current licence?
• What exactly is included and excluded?
• Who supplies scaffolding and weather protection?
• Who arranges independent clearance?
• Where will the asbestos waste be disposed of?
• How will the removalist coordinate with the roofer?

Planning asbestos roof removal in Auckland or Waikato?

PropertyHelp Ltd provides Class B asbestos removal for suitable non-friable materials, including asbestos cement roofing.

Whether you are replacing a Super Six roof or investigating possible asbestos in older decramastic tiles, start by confirming the material and agreeing a clear scope of work.

Contact PropertyHelp with your property address, any asbestos test results and photographs taken safely from ground level.

Email: safety1stprojects@gmail.com

Website: www.propertyhelp.nz

Test before you disturb, and plan the asbestos removal before your reroofing begins.