Asbestos Roof Removal Case Study

Project Overview

Location:Davison Farm, Egton, near Whitby
Sector: Agricultural
Project Duration: Six days (over several weeks)

This project took us to a working livestock farm near Whitby, where two ageing farm buildings were starting to show clear signs that their roofs had reached the end of the line.

With asbestos in the mix and animals close by, it was one of those jobs where careful planning and a calm, methodical approach were just as important as the work itself.

The Challenge

A calving barn and a storage outbuilding on a working livestock farm – part of the Mulgrave Estate – were suffering from a failing roof. The calving barn was split between corrugated asbestos sheeting on one half and slate tiles on the other, while the outbuilding had a single sloping roof entirely covered in asbestos sheeting. At over 40 years old, the asbestos had begun to delaminate, meaning the layers were breaking down and separating, increasing the risk of fibres becoming loose and airborne.

Complicating matters, this was a live farm environment. Cows were grazing and housed just 20 feet from the work area, so any solution had to prioritise the safety of both people and livestock, without disrupting the farm’s day-to-day operations.

The Solution

We met with the farmer and the estate manager to agree a carefully planned works schedule that allowed the farm to continue operating as normal. Deliveries, scaffolding erection and dismantling were all coordinated around the working day to minimise disruption.

Our fully trained team safely removed all slate tiles and asbestos sheeting from both buildings, handling and disposing of the material in strict accordance with regulations. In total, 3.678 tonnes of asbestos were removed from site.

Once the roofs were stripped back, we replaced sections of the roof A-frame, purlins and wall plates in the calving shed. We also removed a small chimney from the storage building in preparation for the new roofing.

The Results

Both buildings were re-roofed using anti-condensation castellated metal roof sheeting. As well as giving the structures a much cleaner, more modern appearance, this solution delivers an important practical benefit for the livestock.

The felt lining within the sheets absorbs moisture created by the cows’ evaporating breath, preventing condensation from dripping back down into the herd. This helps reduce the risk of pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses, creating a healthier environment for the animals while providing the farm with durable, compliant roofing for years to come.