Asbestos roofs
Prepare the removal of asbestos-containing roof sheets or slates before replacing the roof.
Discuss this projectCheck our approval with FPS Employment (French)
The roof materials
Not every old roof contains asbestos, and asbestos roofs do not all require the same approach. The survey, sheet condition, access and fall protection are decisive. Coordination with the roofer and waste removal must also be defined beforehand.
For a house or garage, distinguish the roof covering from materials underneath. Sheet condition, elements passing through them and rooms requiring protection affect preparation. Removing the covering and installing a new roof are separate services to coordinate before work.
The roof, access and rooms below
Access from the street or garden
Describe the roof’s position relative to the street, access through a courtyard or side passage and areas that must remain accessible. A garage at the end of a garden needs different arrangements from a roof facing the street. Use measurements you already have; do not climb onto the roof to complete your enquiry.
What stays beneath the covering
Distinguish the roof structure, underlay, insulation and ceilings of the rooms below. Mention previous alterations and the parts identified in the report. Say when their condition is unknown. Identifying the covering does not establish the composition of every retained layer.
Moving on to the new roof
Before ordering new materials, confirm the boundaries between removal, support repairs and installation. Agree who provides temporary rain protection and what happens if the roofer is delayed. Also identify who will handle gutters, junctions and equipment attached to the roof.
Prepare your quote
State whether the enquiry concerns the covering alone or also elements underneath. Existing reports identify what is known and what needs checking. Specify temporary building protection and coordination between removal and the roofer’s installation. Mention known insulation, suspended ceilings or occupied rooms beneath the roof without opening them to investigate.
- Existing report and already known roof area
- Building access and installations on the roof
- Temporary protection and the roofer’s intervention
Before work starts
The removal method depends on the material and its condition. FPS Employment sets out worker protection rules; OVAM distinguishes interventions by application. Do not dismantle a sheet to check its composition: send the available report and have any further investigation defined.
Asbestos rules and official sourcesYour questions
Can I clean or remove moss from an asbestos roof before work?
Do not use a pressure washer on an asbestos-cement roof: FPS Employment states that this is prohibited. Pre-cleaning is not a step you need to take for our visit. Describe moss, leaks or damaged sheets already observed without climbing onto the roof. A professional must assess its condition before deciding what happens next.
Official sources
Who takes away asbestos sheets after removal in Flanders?
OVAM states that when a contractor removes asbestos, it also handles the waste removal. Ask for a copy of the signed identification form or equivalent proof stating the waste’s origin and destination. Keep it with the project records. It documents the waste; it does not prove that every other material in the building is asbestos-free.
Official sources
Does the quote include the replacement roof covering?
Asbestos removal, waste removal, temporary protection and the new roof covering must be distinguished. Confirm the boundaries of each contractor’s work and the roofer’s sequence so that temporary protection is planned between interventions.
Must solar panels be removed before asbestos removal?
Mention existing installations in your enquiry. Any disconnection and removal must be coordinated with a competent contractor without damaging the suspect roof covering. The sequence will be defined after the site assessment.