Asbestos garage roofs were very popular in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Asbestos was a newly discovered material that was found to be insulating, strong, heat resistant and cheap. As well as garage roofs it was used in a whole host of other things such as flooring tiles, fire blankets, brake pads, artex, roof insulation. If it is in good condition and left alone asbestos isn’t dangerous. However if it is contained in a cement that is degrading or is disturbed by being cut or sanded, fibres can be released into the air. These fibres can then be inhaled and once in the lungs are known to cause serious and even fatal diseases to develop many years later.
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​Asbestos cannot be taken to your local landfill site. It must be disposed of in a site that has a specially permit for this purpose.  All asbestos waste needs to be double­ wrapped or double bagged in plastic sheeting, with the correct hazard warning signs clearly attached. This includes any clothing or materials that have been used while asbestos removal has been in progress.

When handling asbestos, wearing the correct standard of face mask, overalls and gloves is vitally important because the wrong ones do not offer full protection. Face masks or respiratory protective equipment (RPE) ust meet the standards set by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). Although cotton overalls can be worn they will need specialist laundering after each use. If disposable overalls are used they must be meet the standard set out in the HSE guidelines. 
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A compliant face mask (RPE) is totally useless if it is not worn correctly. It must be worn at all times completely in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. There are also rules outlining the correct way to wear overalls e.g. The hood must be up so at all times so that it covers the straps of the RPE (face mask) and the legs should never be worn tucked into footwear. All clothes and equipment must also be disposed of in the same way as asbestos roof sheets. They should be double bagged in plastic and labelled.  
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Most people want their asbestos garage roof removed because it is old and starting to leak. It is when a roof is in this state that roof panels are likely to be fragile and can crack and split as they are being removed. Under these conditions asbestos cement can release fibres into the air and becomes hazardous.  An expert will know best how to remove a roof in this kind of condition with minimal disruption to the asbestos.
 

There are a number of different reasons why it is a good idea to replace your garage roof.  The signs that your garage roof is in need of repair are very easy to identify as damage is often visible and wide spread.  If you see the following issues with your own garage roof then it is highly advised that an inspection is carried out to determine which areas of the garage require attention.

​One of the biggest reasons to replace your garage roof is age. If you have never had it replaced before then you may not have a clue about the age of the garage.  The most common indicators can include roof sheets falling apart through wear and tear or extensive rust damage.  Another indicator is if the nails of the garage roof are affected.  If nails begin to loosen over time, moisture can build up and cause damage to the timber structure of the garage building.  An old garage roof can be extremely dangerous. Any weight that is put on to a fragile area (i.e. somebody walking across the roof) could result in injury, so it is best to call an expert to inspect your roof.

​Another reason that your garage roof needs replacing is by listening for noise.  During windy days (and there’s sometimes lots of these in Scotland) if the sheets on the roof make a loud banging sound or flap in the air, then this indicates that the nails are lifting.  If the problem is not sorted then as more windy days occur you will risk damaging your roofing structure in the long term.

​Water damage through leaks is another indicator that your garage roof needs attention.  Rain is endemic in Scotland as we all know. Water damage is easy to spot and hard to miss when you see water running down the side of your interior garage wall.  Maybe you never noticed a leak until a splash of water decided to cosy itself in your hair when it plummeted from above. 

​One of the most serious consequences of a leaking roof is the build-up of mould and mildew, which can spread through the structure of the garage and travel through vents or target carpets, furniture and clothing.  Mould is a very serious problem and, in some instances, can lead to a number of health issues such as, nasal congestion, inflammations and asthma.  A leaky roof could also be a fire hazard especially if your garage is full of electrical equipment, thus it is recommended that electricity to the area is turned off if you suspect a leaky roof.

Many garages that were built in in the 1960s and the 1970s were made of asbestos cement sheets.  If you have a garage that was built during the period between the 60s and 70s it is may be possible that your garage roof was built with asbestos.  It was a very popular material as it was strong and very weather proof, but it was later discovered that inhaling asbestos fibres could be fatal and cause serious diseases.  Thankfully, asbestos is now banned from being used in building materials.  If you want an asbestos garage roof to be replaced then it is recommended that an expert is called in to safely deal with the matter.

If you identify anything of the above with your own garage roof then do not hesitate to contact us.  We can inspect, repair and replace your garage roof if any of the issues are affecting you.

​​For some people a garage is just somewhere to store your car, garden equipment and stuff that doesn’t fit in your house. This is a real shame because with a bit of love and attention a garage can be so much more. If your garage is in good condition with a secure, watertight garage roof then it can easily be made to work a bit harder for you this summer.
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​Creating a gym in your garage is the perfect way to save money on expensive gym memberships as well as the time spent travelling there and back. ​It doesn’t have to cost the earth, a few basic pieces of equipment - exercise bike, free weights, treadmill or rowing machine - and you are good to go. You can always add to your equipment later, as you learn what type of exercise works best for you. This is what one of our clients did to their garage (see photo below).

​Hopefully we will have some good weather this summer and plenty of opportunities to invite friends and family over for a barbeque or two. However, running out of space in the fridge for cold drinks is a common problem. Why not buy a spare fridge and keep it in the garage. You will be able to use it all year round, particularly during Christmas and New Year where there is never enough space for the mountain of food and drink that we need over the festive period.

​Children are easily bored and keeping them busy is good for them and for you. Young children in particular love craft activities, but these can be messy. Why not set up an area in the garage with an easel for painting, a low table for glitter and glue crafts and even a sandpit or water table.  They can then make as much supervised mess as they want without you having to worry about the carpets.

​After the stress of exams most teenagers want to hang out with their friends. While most of us still want to keep a close eye on our teenagers we may not appreciate having a crowd of them in our house every day. However, making your garage comfortable, can give them a space that allows them some privacy and gives you the peace of mind that you know where they are. You could put down some flooring, carpet tiles are cheap and can be easily replaced if damaged, paint the walls a light colour to brighten the space and add some cushions, bean bags etc. It doesn’t need to be expensive, as long as its parent free, your teenager will be happy.
 

​In summer, most people enjoy the chance to entertain outside. Unfortunately in Scotland there is always the possibility that it will rain. Why not use your garage as a ‘staging area’ and set up your drinks area inside it. Then if there is a light shower there is somewhere for your guests to mill around in until it brightens up.

​Going on holiday, do you sometimes find it a struggle to fit the whole family plus two weeks’ worth of luggage into the car? If so, why not invest in a roof box? It gives you loads of extra storage and will last for years. When it is not in use you don’t need to find somewhere in the house for it, it can be easily stored in the garage, either overhead or on one of the walls. This way it will not even take up any floor space.

​​If you like any of the ideas above but have a garage that is damp, mouldy or leaks, please get in touch . We can inspect, repair or replace your garage roof for you. We also install high quality brand new garages, if you have decided that your old one is beyond repair.
 
By Paul McLean

​The new roof sheets that we install are the more advanced Profile 5 non asbestos fibre cement sheets. These sheets are supplied to us by one of the UK’s market leaders in garage supplies and installation – Lidget Compton.  These extremely high quality roof sheets are only available to us at Garage Roof Scotland because we are a Compton Agent.
The only other alternative for this type of garage roof is a box profile insulated steel roof but this is a very costly option. It is not one we would recommend.

​Once your new Compton Apex roof is installed you will be able to sit back and relax, safe in the knowledge that your garage and its contents will remain safe and dry for many years to come. 

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We are of course happy to give all our work at Garage Roof Scotland a 10 Year Guarantee. But we would be disappointed if you didn’t get at least 15 worry free years from your new garage roof!
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Get in touch now on 07932637646 for a no-obligation quote.

​Garages in Scotland sometimes become forgotten in the long dark days of winter and especially at Christmas, but we have some good reasons why you should remember them this Christmas.

You should check how secure your garage is regularly. 

• Does the lock still work and if so could a burglar easily break it and get in? 
• If you have a window in your garage could it be a possible entry point for a burglar. 
• Do you live in an area that has had lots of bike thefts recently?  It may be time to consider installing an alarm system. 

Police Scotland provide useful information about Garage Security on their website.  

Good storage can transform a garage and how you use it. 

For many people they can barely get into their garages without tripping over bikes and scooters and gardening tools.  Garage storage ranges from amazing DIY ideas to companies that will come out and refurbish your garage with storage units and hanging rails.

We have created a Pinterest board that may inspire you to get some storage for your garage. 

Owning a bike is more popular now than ever and many keen cyclists own bikes that are worth as much as a small car.  Bike theft in the central belt of Scotland has grown as rapidly as bike ownership has grown.  Along with securing your garage you should also consider securing the bikes in your garage to a device such as a ground anchor.  We have created a useful Pinterest board that shows you a selection of bike security devices.  
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If Santa is likely to bring new bikes this Christmas, then be prepared and buy some security devices to keep them safe too.

Everything we have suggested before is only worthwhile spending money on if your garage is actually weatherproof.  If you are getting any leaks or can see some wet or damp patches on the roof you should get your garage roof fixed first.  At Garage Roof Scotland we can repair or replace garage roofs quickly and efficiently normally within 1 day.  

If we have persuaded you to treat your garage this Christmas and need the roof inspected, repaired or replaced then please get in touch.  We do also install brand new garages if you have decided that a double garage is what you really need!

By Paul Mclean

Phone: 07932637646
Email info@garageroofscotland.co.uk

​On a house roof that faces South with nothing to block out the light.  Right? 
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The ideal place for solar panels in cities like Edinburgh or Glasgow is on a south facing roof with a clear view and a tilt of approximately 45 degrees.  However, if you don’t have a suitable south facing roof, there are other options available.  Farmers with large areas of land often mount them on the ground.  Even if you have a flat roof, mounts can be built to give the panels the optimum tilt.
 
If you live in one of Scotland’s cities you won’t have suitable land and you may find that your house roof is either unsuitable due to it facing the wrong way, having windows installed in the roof, or it being shadowed by other buildings or trees.  But don’t give up!

​One of our customers has a garage with an open southern aspect that was perfect for solar panels.  We installed a new roof that was fully weatherproof and strong enough to hold the solar panels.  He then installed these solar panels on top and now enjoys all the benefits of solar power and reduced electric bills.

​If you think this may be possible on your garage we can put you in touch with a solar company and repair or replace your roof so that it is suitable for this purpose.  Please get in touch for further information.

By Paul Mclean
Tel: 07932637646
Email info@garageroofscotland.co.uk