Blog

 

Asbestos Roof Removal in NZ – What Tradies Need to Know Before Touching That Old Roof

Every tradie in New Zealand has seen one.

That old corrugated roof that looks a bit like iron but somehow thicker, greyer, and strangely flat around the edges. Often on garages, sheds, farm buildings, and older homes built before the late 1980s.

Nine times out of ten, that roof is asbestos cement roofing.

And if you’re about to quote for reroofing or demolition work, it’s worth stopping for a moment before the crowbar comes out. Because asbestos roofing is not just another demolition job.

There are rules around it, and they exist for good reason.

Why Old Roofs Often Contain Asbestos

From the 1940s through to the late 1980s, asbestos cement roofing was widely used across New Zealand.

It was popular because it was:

  • Fire resistant

  • Strong

  • Lightweight

  • Cheap to manufacture

But the sheets contained bonded asbestos fibres.

When the sheets remain intact, the risk is relatively low. The problem starts when roofing sheets are drilled, broken, cut, or smashed during removal.

That is when fibres can become airborne.

The Legal Rules Around Asbestos Roof Removal

Under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016, asbestos removal is tightly controlled.

Roofing sheets are usually considered non-friable asbestos (also called bonded asbestos).

But there is an important threshold that tradies need to understand.

Less than 10 square metres

If the asbestos material being removed is under 10 square metres, it may legally be removed by a non-licensed person.

However, strict controls still apply:

  • Dust must be minimised

  • Sheets must not be broken

  • Workers must wear appropriate PPE and respirators

  • The material must be wrapped and disposed of at approved facilities

Even small jobs still require careful handling.

More than 10 square metres

If the asbestos roof area is greater than 10 square metres, the work must be carried out by a licensed asbestos removalist.

This is called Class B asbestos removal.

Most roofing jobs exceed this limit very quickly. Even a small garage roof can easily be 20–30 square metres.

Once the job crosses that threshold, it must legally be completed by a licensed Class B removal company.

Why Asbestos Roofs Can Be Risky to Remove

Roof removal brings a few extra complications that make asbestos roofing particularly risky.

For example:

  • Roofing sheets become brittle with age

  • Fasteners may snap or seize

  • Sheets can crack when lifted

  • Wind can carry fibres across neighbouring properties

  • Workers are operating at height

If sheets break, asbestos dust can spread across the roof cavity, gutters, soil, and nearby surfaces.

What started as a simple roofing job can suddenly become a site contamination problem.

The Right Way to Remove an Asbestos Roof

Licensed removal companies use controlled methods that reduce the risk of fibre release.

Typical controls include:

  • Wetting the roof sheets during removal

  • Removing sheets intact where possible

  • Using correct respiratory protection

  • Establishing controlled work zones

  • Packaging sheets in asbestos waste wrapping

  • Transporting waste to approved disposal facilities

These procedures are designed to protect workers, homeowners, and surrounding properties.

Why Many Tradies Partner With Licensed Removalists

Roofers, builders, and demolition contractors often come across asbestos roofing during projects.

Instead of taking on the risk themselves, many tradies work alongside a licensed asbestos removal company.

Companies like PropertyHelp Ltd specialise in Class B asbestos removal, including asbestos roofing.

Working with a licensed removalist means:

  • The asbestos roof is removed safely

  • The job complies with asbestos regulations

  • Dust and contamination risks are controlled

  • Waste disposal is handled correctly

It also protects the tradie from accidentally breaching asbestos regulations.

The Benefit for Roofing Contractors and Builders

When asbestos is handled by professionals, the rest of the project runs much smoother.

Roofers can focus on installing the new roof.
Builders can move ahead with construction.
Clients get peace of mind that the hazardous material has been dealt with properly.

Instead of slowing down a project, professional asbestos removal often helps keep it on track.

What PropertyHelp Ltd Can Do

PropertyHelp Ltd is a Class B licensed asbestos removal company operating throughout Auckland and Waikato.

They assist tradies and property owners with:

  • Asbestos roof removal

  • Asbestos cladding removal

  • Soffits and fencing removal

  • Safe transport and disposal of asbestos waste

By working alongside roofing contractors and builders, they help ensure asbestos is removed safely before the next stage of construction begins.

Final Word

Old asbestos roofs are still scattered across thousands of properties in New Zealand. For tradies, they are a common discovery when reroofing or demolishing older structures.

Knowing the rules around asbestos roof removal is essential for staying compliant and protecting workers.

And when the job involves larger areas of asbestos roofing, bringing in a Class B licensed removal company like PropertyHelp Ltd is often the safest and smartest approach.

Because with asbestos, the goal is simple:

Remove it safely, dispose of it properly, and make sure everyone goes home healthy at the end of the day.

Make Enquiry