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Supersix Roof Removal NZ: What Actually Happens (and Why You Don’t Want to Wing It)

Supersix Roof Removal NZ: The Real Story Behind Doing It Safely

If you’ve got an old roof that looks like thick, ribbed cement sheets — chances are you’re staring at Supersix roofing, and here’s the straight-up truth:
it’s almost always asbestos cement.

Not the fluffy, Hollywood-style stuff.
Not the “just chuck a mask on and go” type of job.

This is the kind of material that sits quietly for 40–60 years… and then turns nasty the second you start cutting, snapping, or smashing it.

So if you’re a homeowner or running a commercial building, this blog breaks down:

  • The safe work procedures for Supersix asbestos roof removal
  • The common traps people fall into
  • And why calling a proper asbestos removalist on 0212225246 might save you more than just money

What Is Supersix Roofing (and Why It’s a Problem)

Supersix is a fibre cement roofing product widely used across New Zealand from the 1950s through the 1980s.

It contains bonded asbestos, which is relatively stable…
until you disturb it.

Once fibres go airborne, you’re dealing with a health risk linked to:

  • Asbestosis
  • Lung cancer
  • Mesothelioma

And here’s the kicker —
you won’t smell it, see it, or feel it happening.

Safe Work Procedure: Removing Supersix Roofing (Step-by-Step)

This isn’t a “grab a ladder and crack in” job.
A proper asbestos removal follows a controlled, methodical process.

1. Identification & Testing

Before anything moves:

  • Sample testing confirms asbestos presence
  • Risk assessment completed
  • Scope of removal defined

No guessing. No assumptions.

2. Asbestos Removal Control Plan (ARCP)

A licensed removalist prepares a site-specific plan covering:

  • Hazards and risks
  • Control measures
  • Emergency procedures
  • WorkSafe notification (if required)

This is your legal backbone under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and Asbestos Regulations 2016.

3. Site Setup & Isolation

The area gets locked down properly:

  • Exclusion zones with signage
  • Ground protection (polythene sheeting)
  • Restricted access

No wandering kids. No curious tradies. No shortcuts.

4. PPE & Equipment

Workers suit up like they mean it:

  • Disposable coveralls
  • P2/P3 respirators
  • Gloves and boot covers

This isn’t overkill — it’s baseline protection.

5. Wet Removal Method (Critical Step)

Here’s where most DIY jobs go wrong.

Supersix sheets must be:

  • Kept damp at all times
  • Removed whole — not broken
  • Handled gently (no dropping, no snapping)

Dry removal = airborne fibres = big problem.

6. Fixings Removal (Not the Sheets First)

  • Screws and bolts are carefully removed
  • No levering or cracking sheets loose
  • Sometimes tools are modified to reduce breakage

It’s slow. That’s the point.

7. Controlled Lowering of Sheets

Sheets are:

  • Lowered — not thrown
  • Placed directly onto lined surfaces
  • Never stockpiled loosely

Gravity + brittle asbestos = dust event waiting to happen.

8. Wrapping & Disposal

Each sheet is:

  • Wrapped in 200-micron polythene
  • Sealed and labelled as asbestos waste
  • Transported to an approved landfill

No tip runs. No “hide it in the skip.”

9. Decontamination Process

Workers go through a proper clean-down:

  • PPE removed safely
  • Tools wiped down
  • Waste contained

This stops contamination spreading beyond the site.

10. Clearance Inspection

A licensed assessor may conduct:

  • Visual inspection
  • Air monitoring (if required)

Only then is the area declared safe.

The Pitfalls Homeowners Walk Straight Into

Here’s where things go sideways — and fast.

❌ “It’s Bonded Asbestos, So It’s Safe”

Yes… until you touch it.
Then it’s not.

❌ Breaking Sheets to Make It Easier

This is the number one mistake.
Break it = release fibres = contaminate everything.

❌ No PPE or Wrong PPE

A dust mask from the garage doesn’t cut it.
You need certified respiratory protection.

❌ Using High-Pressure Water Blasters

This one’s brutal.
It blasts fibres into the air and surrounding areas.

❌ Hiring Unlicensed or “Cash Job” Operators

If they can start tomorrow with no paperwork…
that’s your red flag.

❌ Not Notifying WorkSafe (When Required)

Some jobs legally require notification.
Skipping this can land you in serious trouble.

❌ Contaminating Your Own Property

DIY jobs often lead to:

  • Asbestos in soil
  • Fibres in gutters
  • Contaminated insulation

Now you’ve turned a roof job into a full property decontamination.

Residential vs Commercial: Same Risk, Bigger Consequences

  • Residential: Risk to family, neighbours, future buyers
  • Commercial: Risk to workers, legal liability, business shutdowns

In both cases — cutting corners doesn’t save money.
It multiplies the cost later.

Why You Should Call a Proper Asbestos Removalist

A licensed professional brings:

  • Compliance with NZ regulations
  • Proper containment and disposal
  • Reduced risk to people and property
  • Documentation for insurance and future sale

If you’re even thinking about removing Supersix roofing —
don’t guess your way through it.

📞 Call a proper asbestos removalist on 0212225246
Get it assessed properly before you lift a single sheet.

Final Word (No Fluff)

Supersix roofing removal isn’t complicated because it’s technical.
It’s complicated because one wrong move spreads something you can’t see and can’t undo.

Do it once.
Do it right.
Or you might be paying for it twice — financially and health-wise.

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