If your property was built, installed, or renovated before the 1990s in Australia, there is a real chance your roof (or other areas) may contain asbestos. Many houses from that era used asbestos in roofing materials, especially roof sheeting made from asbestos cement (often called fibro).
This guide explains how to tell if your roof has asbestos, what signs to look for, how to identify asbestos more accurately, and why testing and safe removal should be handled by licensed professionals.
If you would rather have an expert inspection and clear advice, start here: fortified.com.au
Why older roofs commonly contain asbestos containing materials?
For decades, asbestos was commonly used because it improved durability, heat resistance, and strength. As a result, asbestos containing materials were manufactured and installed widely across residential and commercial buildings until asbestos was later banned.
Asbestos simply means a group of naturally occurring fibres that can be dangerous when disturbed. If the material contains asbestos and it is broken, drilled, sanded, or cut, asbestos fibres can become airborne and inhaled.
What are the common signs that help you suspect asbestos in roof sheeting?
Physical clues can help you suspect asbestos, but they are rarely conclusive on their own. Here are the most common signs to assess:
Age: If the roof was installed before 1990, you should assume it could be asbestos until proven otherwise.
Profile: Older asbestos roofs often have a corrugated profile similar to metal, but the sheets can look more matte and feel more rigid.
Colour and finish: Weathered asbestos cement often appears grey, may look chalky, and may hold surface dust. You may also notice green growth (moss or lichen) due to moisture retention.
Brittle material: Fibro sheeting can become more brittle with age, especially at edges, laps, and around fixings.
Fixings: Many older sheets were nailed down rather than screwed (modern metal roofs typically use screwed fasteners).
Sheet size: Older fibro sheets can be larger in length/width compared with many modern roof panels.
Product clues: Some older products were known by names like “Super Six” and often had identifying marks or codes.
If you see several of these signs, it is reasonable to suspect asbestos and move to safer verification steps.
How can you identify asbestos by checking other locations around the property?
A roof is not the only place where asbestos may be present. On older homes, asbestos cement products were also used in:
Eaves and soffit linings
External walls and cladding
Older fences and shed panels
Wet areas like bathrooms (lining behind tiles)
Older backing boards near heaters or some older insulation-adjacent structures
If your home matches the age profile and these materials are found in multiple areas, it strengthens the case that your roof sheeting may also be asbestos containing.
What visual differences can help distinguish asbestos roofs from metal roofs?
Asbestos roofs and old metal can look similar from ground level. Some useful visual differences include:
Matte, fibrous look rather than reflective metal
A cement-like appearance (closer to thin concrete than steel)
A chalky, dusty surface from long-term weathering
Greater moss/lichen retention (often green patches)
Still, you cannot reliably determine asbestos by appearance alone, especially after decades of paint, dirt, and repairs.
Should you climb into the roof space to check markings or take a sample?
In short: do not. Even if the roof is in good condition, disturbing it can create exposure risk.
People sometimes try to look for a stamp, code, or batch number on the underside of the sheet. While markings can exist, accessing tight ceiling spaces and touching old materials increases the chance you will become exposed to dust or break a corner.
If you need certainty, arrange a professional inspection and lab testing through licensed professionals instead.
Why testing is the only safe way to confirm the presence of asbestos materials?
If you truly need to identify asbestos, laboratory testing is the only reliable method. A small, safely obtained sample can be assessed to confirm whether the material contains asbestos.
This matters because the health impact is not theoretical. Inhaling asbestos fibres can lead to long-term health risks, including serious health risks like lung cancer (and other asbestos-related disease). Because of those risks, collecting a sample yourself is not worth it.
If you want a safe pathway from suspicion to certainty, you can contact the team via Contact Us and request an assessment and next-step plan.
What happens if testing confirms you found asbestos?
If you have found asbestos, the next step depends on the condition and the plan for your property.
If the roof is non friable asbestos and in good condition
Many older roofs are non friable asbestos (typically asbestos cement sheeting). Non-friable means the fibres are bound into the cement matrix. When it is sealed and in good condition, the immediate risk is generally lower than damaged materials, but it is still potentially hazardous if disturbed during renovation, storm damage, or repairing work.
If the roof is damaged or you are renovating
If sheets are cracked, breaking, or you are planning upgrades, replacement is usually the safest long-term decision. Asbestos removal must be managed correctly, and waste must be handled and disposed of through approved channels.
For homeowners planning a safer upgrade path, these may help:
Upgrade options like Colorbond roofing or Zincalume roof replacement
What should you do right now if you suspect asbestos roofs on your home?
If you suspect asbestos:
Do not cut, drill, sand, pressure clean, or patch the roof sheeting.
Keep people away from any broken areas and avoid disturbing dust.
Arrange an inspection and testing plan through licensed professionals.
If replacement is confirmed, choose a provider that can coordinate safety steps and compliance from start to finish.
If your roof is being replaced, it is also a great time to improve comfort and performance with add-ons like:
Roof insulation to support better indoor health and temperature stability
Roof ventilators to reduce trapped heat and moisture
And if part of your project includes updating metal roofing after replacement, you can review:
Metal roof repairs and maintenance (useful if only sections are being replaced)
Why guttering and edges matter when asbestos is present
Older roofs often have ageing edges, flashing, gutters, and fascia areas where cracks and dust can form. Managing water and run-off also helps protect the building envelope and reduce deterioration risk.
If you are refreshing the exterior as part of a roof project, explore:
Final word on how to tell if your roof has asbestos
If your roof was built or replaced decades ago and the signs point to older fibro sheeting, it is smart to assume it may be asbestos until proven otherwise. The safest approach is to arrange professional testing to confirm the presence of asbestos containing materials, then plan the right solution.
Do not gamble with health risks. Disturbing asbestos can release asbestos fibres, and the long-term consequences can be severe, including lung cancer.
For a safe, local, and compliant plan forward in Brisbane, start at fortified.com.au or contact the team here.
