Pre-fab garage roof

[Paul-man]

My dad has a pre-fab garage which he purchased in 1997 and was erected by the supplier.

The roof has started to crack and is leaking. It has a slight pitch and is corrugated sheet material, grey in colour. Because of the date, we believe that it wouldn't be asbestos (but unsure what it is), but an acquaintance of his who works in asbestos removal has said that it could be.

1) How likely is it to be asbestos? I think the acquaintance could be fishing for work!?

2) What is it likely to be (if it doesn't contain asbestos?) Can these be replaced DIY and if so, where would we get them from?

3) How would we go about disposing of the damaged sheets? How do we prove to them that it is asbestos free - I suspect grey corrugated sheets would set alarm bells ringing at a household refuse site!

Photo:

Untitled

• Paul-man
• 18 Dec 2010
• 1

 

[Deluks]

Was it a new purchase or second hand? Did he get a special deal on it?

1997 is relatively 'new' for a roof such as this, it shouldn't really be cracking yet unless the sheets aren't properly supported at the required intervals, or kids have been playing on the roof or some other weight stored up there.

Be sure the leaks aren't condensation, if not then you can paint over the cracks with a roofing repair mastic to get another few years of use out of it.

No real way to know without getting it tested, but you can diy dispose of. contact your council environmental dept for advice here.

http://www.richmond.gov.uk/fa/asbestos_guide-3.pdf

 

[Paul-man]

Thanks for the reply.

It was brand new- chosen from the catalogue if I remember rightly.

Dad reckons there is a chunk missing- as if a football has hit it, but I do know he has stuff stored along the metal "rafters" on the inside, which I suppose could be putting extra weight around where the bolts attach it.

 

[Deluks]

If it's limited physical damage, might be worth following the precautions listed in the link, and replacing the affected sheets.

See what your council say, ours will collect a certain amount of unbroken poly wrapped asbestos for free, usually limited to a few sheets otherwise you'll have to pay a fee.

 

[foxhole]

local councils offer free disposal, well mine does.

 

[Always Learning]

We purchased a compton garage a few years ago on the house we sold several months ago.

The compton garage had what they call concrete fibre boards for the roof sheets - they look very similar. Most of ours were damaged so they had to come and put a new roof on - they left the old one)

I took them to the local council tip and they were bricking it that it could have been asbestos sheets (even though I had the paperwork saying concrete fibre board)

The outcome was just a matter of breaking up the boards and double bagging them - so long as they are double bagged and sealed with rope or tape you should be fine at any council tip.

The problem though is working with asbestos - I would not want to be breaking that stuff up (if your roof is asbestos) - If would definetly purchase one of those suits and a good quality mask.

http://www.ealing.gov.uk/services/environment/pollution/hazardous_waste_and_substances/asbestos/

Removal of asbestos cement (eg corrugated shed roof or garages)
Householders can undertake the removal of asbestos cement products provided that the following precautions are observed:

* keep everyone out of the work area who does not need to be there.
* thoroughly soak the material before starting work. You are advised to introduce a suitable wetting agent, eg washing-up liquid, into the water before saturation.
* do not use power tools, use hand tools only.
* carefully undo fixing bolts, screws etc and remove panels complete.
* avoid breaking asbestos-containing material into small pieces, i.e. do not use hammers or drop materials from heights into refuse skips.
* stack the removed sheets in the open and cover with plastic sheeting.
* never sweep asbestos pieces – use a vacuum cleaner that complies with BS 5145, known as type "H" (available from hire shops).
* put pieces in stout plastic sacks and seal.
* always work in well-ventilated areas.
* persons handling asbestos should wear hooded disposable over-clothing, and thoroughly wash exposed skin on completion of work. You are advised to hire from a reputable hire shop (see Yellow Pages telephone directory) a suitable dust mask specified for asbestos dust (reference FFP 3).

 

[Paul-man]

Thanks for the real life experience example...

I believe dad's garage was compton and I was looking at their site last night. I'm pretty sure that it doesn't contain asbestos and is the conrete fibre board, but as you say- probably best to double bag to avoid problems at the tip.

Did Comptons come and replace your roof? Was it under guarantee at the time?

 

[Always Learning]

Yeah they replaced the roof under the guarantee.

The driver stacked the roof onto the lorry himself and broke most of the roof sheets.

You could ring compton with the garage size and type of roof & ask if they would fit you one at a cost, or try and purchase the sheets from a supplier - There are several companies that make similar garages now.

I watched the 2 guys fit the new roof and everything clips and bolts into place, If you are good with that type of stuff you might be able to fit one yourself.

 

[Paul-man]

Yeah they replaced the roof under the guarantee.

The driver stacked the roof onto the lorry himself and broke most of the roof sheets.

You could ring compton with the garage size and type of roof & ask if they would fit you one at a cost, or try and purchase the sheets from a supplier - There are several companies that make similar garages now.

I watched the 2 guys fit the new roof and everything clips and bolts into place, If you are good with that type of stuff you might be able to fit one yourself.

Was your garage empty when they fitted the new roof- or more to the point, does it NEED to be empty!?

I've contacted Compton to see about replacement boards. Would hope that Dad and I could manage it.

 

[Always Learning]

Can you not seal the cracks?

There must be something that will be waterproof and set hard enough to fix the problem, something in a tube that will fit in a mastic gun.

That would save you some hassle and a few quid.
I know to the side of each panel compton fit they used a putty/silicone type thing, It didn't seem to set hard or anything - I guess its more for any slight movement to the garage.

Maybe something like that might work, or can you get something which could be painted on the roof to make it look nicer but at the same time it would preserve the roof and seal it?

Sorry I can't be more helpful - hopefully someone will come up with an easy solution for you.

 

[Always Learning]

Yes the garage was empty, but to be honest they just got on the roof and mostly worked up there, I think they fixed the roof in place then bolted and fixed things from underneath.

You would obviously have to get the sheets and fittings from ground level to the roof - those sheets are heavy as well - they look light but carry some weight.

Underneath the roof down the sides they gave us some foam/sponge type stuff that covered the gaps on the inside where the roof fits onto the walls - just made it look a bit better, these come in white and black.

 

[noyk]

Unlikely to be asbestos, but if your concerned get it tested. My garage was late 80's did have asbestos roof and i paid a lot for it to be removed professionally along with other Asbestos in the house i was buying but i felt it's worth it for the piece of mind.

I used to wooden battons bolted or tied to the metal frame and used onduline to replace the roof for a very nice looking new roof, all diy cost £120 for onduline and fixings.

Hope it helps.

 

[comptonspares]

In around October 1990 Compton Buildings moved from a very reliable roofing system to a less hard wearing substitute. In part, the problem was actually the absence of asbestos. Between 1990 and their demise in 2011, Compton Garages provided only two profiles which are identifiable by the measurement ridge-to-ridge or by the shape of the ridge tile. These two corrugated fibre-cement roofing profile sheets can still be purchased from specialist suppliers.

 

[Paul-man]

I can't believe that over 4 years has passed since my original post! and the garage is still not sorted as Dad hasnt emptied it!

I didnt realise that Compton had since closed down. (They were very good at getting back to me)

I may be looking for some panels "soon"

 

[theprinceofdarkness]

History:- In 1976 I built a Compton garage completely, roof never leaked until I moved 3 years later. In 1982 I bought a SECONDHAND Compton garage, built it my self, roof was OK until I moved in 2012 (30 years!).
For cracks I would just patch them with "Flashbanding", after masking the area and using their correct primer. If there is a bit broken/missing, I would get some thin ali sheet, hand bend it to the correct contour and fix it in place by using the Flashbanding overlapping all the edges by at least 3". You should be able to do all the work on a Saturday morning and it should not cost more then £50.
Frank