Armco Asbestos Surveys
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Armco Asbestos Surveys
Last Updated on 3rd October 2025 by Phil Collins
Asbestos was originally prized for its heat and fire resistance, as well as durability, and was therefore used in the construction of properties all across the UK. During the 1950s and 1960s, asbestos was extremely popular when building new houses and was used in various different materials, but continued to be used for construction and renovations, until it was banned in the UK in 1999.
Despite the health risks, asbestos is still present in thousands of homes across the UK, in places like loft insulation, floor tiles, pipes and roof tiles. Chrysotile, also known as white asbestos, was mixed in to concrete to create roof tiles that were stronger and more weather resistant than other materials.
Exposure to asbestos has been found to cause all manner of health conditions, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, and these asbestos-related conditions can be fatal. But are asbestos roof tiles actually dangerous?
When asbestos is mixed into the concrete to make roof tiles, it’s effectively bonded to it and doesn’t become airborne, provided that the tiles are intact. The issue arises when tiles become damaged; this can happen in extreme weather conditions like storms, or with age as most of the asbestos tiles will now be several decades old. If the tiles are chipped, cracked or worn down, asbestos fibres may be released and go into the air or even enter the house through the roof.
As the health conditions caused by asbestos inhalation may not present themselves for many years, it’s imperative that you check your roof proactively, as it may not be obvious if asbestos is present.
As explained above, asbestos roof tiles that are in good condition are generally considered to be safe, however damaged tiles can release fibres and become dangerous to anyone living or working in the affected properties.
If you have identified that your roof tiles contain asbestos, but they aren’t damaged and currently pose no real threat, you can consider precautions like adding a protective coating to the roof to prevent the release of asbestos fibres in the future. This may not be a permanent solution and you should seek advice on what options are best for your property.
If, however, you have asbestos tiles which are beginning to deteriorate, then you will need to safely remove and replace these tiles urgently. Whilst you are not legally prohibited from disposing of the tiles yourself, we would always advise that you contact specialists who are aware of the dangers of asbestos and can take necessary steps to remove the tiles without causing further danger to you or themselves.
Houses built before 1970 are more likely to have asbestos roof tiles, and often these tiles were made in a corrugated shape, although not exclusively. Roof refurbishments or repairs may also have included asbestos tiles up to the 1999 ban, so visual inspection alone may not be very helpful. Additionally, the roof tiles themselves are unlikely to have any code or inscriptions on them to indicate asbestos.
The best course of action is to arrange for an asbestos survey to be conducted on your property.
At Armco, we offer comprehensive asbestos surveys in order to determine whether or not your property contains asbestos. One of our experts will take samples from your roof (and anywhere else on the property where asbestos may be present) and be able to confirm if there is asbestos, and whether it poses a threat to you.
As part of our survey service, we will send you a report which includes our findings, and from there you will be able to decide what, if any, action needs taking. If the survey is for a business premises, you can use this survey to create a risk assessment for staff and building safety.
For more information about our Asbestos Surveys and the services we offer, speak to our team now on 0161 763 3727, or alternatively complete the contact form on this page and we’ll call you back.
Published Sep 10, 2025
