Asbestos Roof Replacement Perth

Asbestos roof replacement across Perth

Asbestos roof replacement means removing an asbestos cement roof safely and lawfully, then installing a new roof, usually Colorbond steel. Roofing Perth arranges asbestos roof replacement across the Perth metro area. The asbestos removal is carried out by a removalist holding the WorkSafe WA licence the job requires, and the new roof is installed by independent local roofing contractors. You get one written scope covering both stages.

Why asbestos roofs are still common in Perth

Asbestos cement sheeting was widely used in Western Australian housing until the late 1980s. It was cheap, light and easy to fix. You still find it on:

older homes in established suburbs, sometimes under later re-sheeting;
garages, carports, sheds and patio roofs;
eaves linings, gables and fences on the same properties.

Undisturbed and in fair condition, it poses a low risk. Weathering, cracking, hail damage and any cutting, drilling or breaking change that. Most owners replace it before renovating, selling or adding solar.

The rules in Western Australia

Licensed removal. WorkSafe WA requires a licensed asbestos removalist to remove more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos. Almost any house roof exceeds that.
No water blasting. The WA Department of Health advises against cleaning asbestos cement roofs with high-pressure water or abrasive methods.
Disposal. Asbestos waste must be wrapped and taken to a facility licensed to accept it.
Permits. Your local government may require a building permit for the new roof, and some councils have their own asbestos requirements. Check with the council before work starts.

Rules change, so check the current requirements with WorkSafe WA and your local government. Ask any removalist to show you their licence.

How the job usually runs

Inspection and testing. The roof is assessed and, if needed, sampled to confirm asbestos.
Planning. The removalist plans the removal, including how the sheets come down and how neighbours are notified.
Removal. Sheets are wetted to suppress dust, unfixed carefully without breaking, lowered, wrapped and loaded for disposal.
Clearance. Depending on the job, a clearance inspection may follow before roofing starts.
New roof. Battens are checked and replaced, a blanket goes down, and the new steel roof, flashings and gutters are fitted.

The roof should not be left open for long, so crews often remove and re-sheet section by section.

What to ask before you sign

Who is the licensed removalist, and can I see the licence?
Where will the asbestos waste be taken, and will I get a disposal receipt?
Are eaves, gutters or other asbestos items included or excluded?
How will my neighbours and my household be protected during removal?

See our guide to choosing a roofing contractor and roof replacement for the second half of the job. Planning prices for asbestos jobs are on the cost guide.

Before removal day

Tell neighbours when work is planned, close windows, and keep children and pets indoors or away.

Compare quotes properly

What a asbestos roof replacement quote should cover

Who removes the asbestos, and confirmation they hold the WorkSafe WA licence the job needs
How the sheets are wetted, lowered, wrapped and taken away, and where they are disposed of
Air monitoring or a clearance inspection, if required for the job
Gutters, eaves or other asbestos materials included or excluded
New battens, blanket and roof sheets, with grade and colour named
Flashings, ridges and gutters for the new roof
Notification to neighbours and site set-up

Worth reading first

Does my roof need a permit in WA?Choosing a roofing contractor Roof replacement cost in Perth

FAQs

Questions people ask before they commit

How do I know if my roof is asbestos?

Homes and sheds built before the late 1980s often used asbestos cement roofing, typically grey, corrugated or wide-profile sheets with a cement texture. You cannot confirm it by eye. A sample tested by an accredited laboratory, or an assessment by a licensed assessor, will tell you for certain.

Can I remove an asbestos roof myself?

In WA, removing more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos, which covers almost every house roof, requires a licensed asbestos removalist under WorkSafe WA rules. Smaller amounts have their own strict handling and disposal requirements. Check WorkSafe WA's guidance before touching any asbestos material.

Can I clean or paint my asbestos roof instead?

The WA Department of Health advises against high-pressure water cleaning or abrasive cleaning of asbestos cement roofs, because it releases fibres and contaminates the property and neighbours. Painting does not make an asbestos roof safe to work on later. Most owners replace it.

Do I need to leave the house during removal?

The removalist will tell you what is required for your job. Generally, people and pets stay away from the work area, windows and doors are closed, and air-conditioning intakes are shut down. The removalist plans this before work starts.

What roof goes on afterwards?

Almost always steel, usually Colorbond, because it is light and the frame was built for light sheeting. Battens are checked and replaced, a blanket goes under the sheets, and new flashings and gutters are fitted.

Asbestos roof replacement in Perth, removal first