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Asbestos in Roofs: Soffits, Felt, Tiles and Gutters Before Roof Work

Which roof and roofline parts can contain asbestos, which need a licensed contractor, and what to sort out before a new roof, soffits or gutters.

Last reviewed 2 October 2026 5 min read

If your home was built or refurbished before 2000 and you are planning a new roof, new fascias and soffits or new guttering, find out whether any of the parts being replaced contain asbestos before the roofer starts. The most likely places are soffit boards, asbestos cement roof sheets, tiles, gutters, downpipes and flues, and bitumen roofing felt.

Most of this work can be done safely, and some of it doesn't need an HSE-licensed contractor, but only if everyone knows what they are dealing with first.

Which parts of a roof can contain asbestos?

HSE says asbestos may be part of any domestic building built or refurbished before 2000. Its list of asbestos materials, and its Asbestos essentials task sheets for workers, cover these roof and roofline products:

You can't tell whether a material contains asbestos by looking at it. A sample analysed by a laboratory accredited by UKAS will confirm it (HSE: analysts and surveyors).

Why do soffits matter more than roof sheets?

Because the material is different. HSE groups asbestos cement with "highly bonded" materials, in which the fibres are held in cement. AIB is a different product, and HSE treats work on it more strictly.

Under HSE's licensing rules, work on AIB generally needs a licensed contractor. The exception is short-duration work, which HSE defines as no more than 2 hours in any 7-day period, with no one working on it for more than 1 hour. Taking down a run of soffit boards for a full roofline replacement is likely to take longer than that, so if the soffits are AIB, expect a licensed contractor to be involved.

For asbestos cement, HSE's non-licensed work guidance says maintenance of roof sheeting, tiles and rainwater goods, and removal where the material is carefully handled without breaking it up, can be done without a licence by trained workers. Removal becomes licensed work where the material will be substantially damaged or broken up, for example after a fire or flood.

Is it safe to leave asbestos in the roof?

Often, yes. HSE says asbestos materials in good condition that are not likely to be damaged should be left in place and monitored. If your soffits or gutters are sound and you aren't replacing them, there may be no reason to touch them.

The question changes when work is planned. A new roof, new fascias and soffits, or new gutters means the old parts will be cut, drilled, unscrewed or taken down. That is the point to find out.

Where you are replacing the roofline anyway, Better Roofing, another Better Home Hub site, explains what fascia and soffit replacement involves. Tell any roofer you speak to what you know, or suspect, about asbestos in the roofline.

What should happen before roof work starts?

  1. Find out what is there. For major work, HSE describes a refurbishment survey, which has to find asbestos "including those hidden within the building fabric" before structural work begins (HSE: arranging a survey). For a smaller job, such as one soffit or a flue, a surveyor or analyst may only need to sample that item. Our page on asbestos surveys explains the options.
  2. Tell the roofer. HSE says homeowners who bring in builders or maintenance workers should tell them about any asbestos materials before work starts.
  3. Agree who removes what. The roofer may be able to remove intact asbestos cement as non-licensed work if their team is trained. AIB soffits or broken-up material will usually need a licensed contractor. See how to choose an asbestos specialist.
  4. Plan the waste. Asbestos waste is hazardous waste. If a contractor removes it, they deal with it. If you have a small amount, GOV.UK's asbestos in your home page finds your council's disposal rules in England and Wales.

Can a roofer walk on an asbestos cement roof?

Not safely without precautions. HSE lists non-reinforced fibre-cement sheets among fragile roof materials and says all roofs should be treated as fragile until a competent person has confirmed otherwise. That is a fall risk as well as an asbestos one, and it is one reason not to go up on an old garage or outbuilding roof yourself.

If you want a professional view of the roof's condition first, Nationwide Roofing Specialists explains what a roof inspection covers. Ask the inspector to note any materials they think should be tested.

What about asbestos cement garage and outbuilding roofs?

These are the most common asbestos roofs on homes. We cover them separately in our asbestos garage roof guide, including removal, typical costs and disposal.

Frequently asked questions

Does every pre-2000 roof contain asbestos?

No. HSE's point is that asbestos may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000, not that it always is. Testing is the only way to know.

Can I paint or seal asbestos cement instead of replacing it?

HSE has task sheets for workers on painting asbestos cement products and repairing damaged asbestos cement, so sealing can be an option for material in reasonable condition.

Does the duty to manage asbestos apply to my house?

No. HSE's duty to manage covers non-domestic premises and the common parts of blocks of flats, not the inside of a private house. But the advice on telling builders, and the licensing rules for the people doing the work, still apply.

Who checks that a contractor has an asbestos licence?

You can. HSE publishes a list of licensed asbestos contractors. Our guide to choosing a specialist explains how to check.

Sources

Last reviewed 2 October 2026.

Better Home Hub, which runs this site, can try to introduce you to an asbestos surveyor or contractor before your roof work starts.

General information, not advice about your property. This site is run by Better Home Hub Ltd, an introduction service that does not carry out asbestos work. Where anything here differs from HSE guidance, follow HSE.

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