Service 04 · Refurbishment and construction
Asbestos and fibre cement (Uralita) removal
Many industrial buildings, warehouses and homes still have fibre cement roofs, downpipes and tanks installed decades ago, some containing asbestos. We study each case and coordinate their removal and replacement with a new solution, through specialised companies and in accordance with the regulations.
What it includes
Survey of the roof or element
Condition of the material, surface area, access and the most suitable replacement solution for the property.
Removal in accordance with the regulations
Removal is carried out by RERA-registered companies, under a work plan approved by the labour authority, in accordance with Royal Decree 396/2006.
Waste management
Asbestos waste is treated as hazardous and delivered to an authorised waste manager, with the corresponding documentation.
Downpipes, tanks and ducts
Fibre cement elements beyond the roof, common in residential buildings and industrial premises.
Lifting equipment
Crane trucks and platforms to work safely, without stepping on fragile sheets.
New roof
Sandwich panels or another tailored solution, with better insulation and waterproofing.
Works documentation
We provide the technical documentation usually requested by homeowners' associations and public grant schemes.
What asbestos fibre cement is and why it must be removed properly
Fibre cement is a fibre-reinforced cement material that for decades contained asbestos; in Spain the Uralita brand gave it its popular name. Asbestos has been banned in Spain since 2002, but it is still present in the roofs, downpipes, tanks and sheets of many older buildings.
The risk arises when the material deteriorates, breaks or is handled, because it releases fibres that must not be inhaled. That is why aged, cracked or moss-covered fibre cement must not be cut, drilled, sanded or pressure-washed, and its removal cannot be done by yourself.
How asbestos is removed legally
Removal is regulated by Royal Decree 396/2006: it can only be carried out by companies registered in the RERA (Spain's Register of Companies at Risk from Asbestos) and, before starting, the labour authority must approve a work plan. The sheets are removed whole, dampened and encapsulated, with protective equipment and cordoned-off areas, and the waste is delivered to an authorised waste manager.
Revital Innover coordinates the complete project: the survey of the property, phased planning, removal by a RERA-registered company, lifting equipment and the installation of the new roof, downpipe or cladding. A single point of contact for the homeowners' association, the company or the property manager.
How much asbestos cement removal costs: what it depends on
There is no single price per square metre: the cost depends on the surface area and type of element (roof, downpipe, tank), the condition of the material, access and height, the lifting equipment required, waste management and the new solution to be installed. That is why we prepare the quote after visiting the property, with every item explained.
Grants and regulations
Public authorities (regional governments and town councils) periodically offer grants for the removal of asbestos waste, aimed at owners, companies and residents' associations, and Law 7/2022 on waste reinforces the obligations of census and removal. The calls have short deadlines and their own requirements: we recommend checking the current one before planning the works; we provide the technical documentation usually required.
Illustrative images. They do not show Revital Innover projects.
Who we work for
- Homeowners' associations with fibre cement roofs, downpipes or tanks.
- Industrial buildings and warehouses with asbestos cement roofs.
- Detached houses with fibre cement roofs, sheds or garages.
- Companies and premises that must remove asbestos before a renovation.
- Property managers and asset managers.
How we manage it
- Preliminary survey and assessment of each project, with a site visit when the job requires it.
- Technical proposal with the phases of execution, deadlines and every item explained.
- Coordination of the professionals, specialised companies and technical means involved.
- Follow-up of the execution and handover of the final documentation.
FAQ
Is an asbestos fibre cement roof dangerous?
The risk arises when the material deteriorates, breaks or is handled, because it releases fibres that must not be inhaled. That is why it must not be cut, drilled or pressure-washed, and its removal must be carried out by a specialised company registered in the RERA.
Can I remove the asbestos from a shared roof myself?
No. The roof is usually a common element, so the works are agreed at the owners' meeting, and removal can only be carried out by a RERA-registered company under a work plan approved by the labour authority.
How much does it cost to remove asbestos cement from a roof?
It depends on the surface area, the condition of the material, access, height, lifting equipment, waste management and the new roof to be installed. We do not quote prices per square metre without visiting the property; the quote is prepared after the preliminary survey, with every item explained.
Are there grants for asbestos removal?
Regional governments and some town councils periodically offer grants for the removal, transport and treatment of asbestos waste, aimed at owners, companies and homeowners' associations. Deadlines tend to be short and requirements change with each call, so it is worth checking the current one and preparing the documentation in good time.
Can I paint or cover the asbestos cement instead of removing it?
Encapsulating or covering the material is at best a temporary measure that does not remove the risk and complicates future removal. The definitive solution is to remove it with a RERA-registered company and replace it with a new roof, which also improves insulation and waterproofing.
Why is it worth replacing fibre cement?
As well as removing the risk associated with asbestos, a new roof improves insulation and waterproofing. Law 7/2022 requires town councils to draw up a census of facilities containing asbestos and a timetable for its removal.
More answers on the FAQ page.
Do you have an asbestos and fibre cement removal project?
Tell us what you need and where the property is. We study it and propose the most suitable solution before preparing the quote.
Request a quote