Homeowners rush to clean asbestos roofs before July ban

Danish homeowners with asbestos roofs are scrambling to have them cleaned and painted before a ban takes effect on 1 July, according to industry groups and roofing companies. After that date, high-pressure washing of asbestos roofs will be prohibited, effectively halting most cleaning and painting services.

Professional roof cleaners report unprecedented demand as the deadline approaches. “We’re seeing far greater demand than ever before,” said Mikael Andersen, managing director of Aalborg Tagmaling. Mathias Steck, owner of Stecks Tagrens, confirmed the surge: “I’m receiving 8 to 15 times more inquiries than usual, and most become customers.”

Many homeowners are desperate, Steck added. “It’s now or never. They’re hopeful we have availability because so many others are fully booked or have stopped offering asbestos roof cleaning.”

The ban stems from health and environmental risks. While high-pressure washing of asbestos roofs has been illegal since 1988, around 50 firms operated under exemptions—now set to expire. Former Employment Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek (Social Democrats) cited concerns over asbestos sludge and dust spreading to surrounding areas, endangering people and the environment. Municipalities, insurers, and building experts have echoed these warnings.

Bek dismissed claims that cleaning extends roof lifespan, noting that Denmark’s Bolius Knowledge Centre calls such treatments purely cosmetic, with no research proving durability benefits. “A gentle brush, low-pressure water, and approved algae removers remain permitted,” he stated, adding that rules could be revisited if safer technologies emerge.

Roofing professionals dispute the ban’s justification. “We follow safety protocols—this punishes responsible operators for others’ mistakes,” said Søren Cajus of the Danish Industry Roof Painters’ Association. He warned the ban could trap rural homeowners, who often lack funds to replace roofs, making their properties unsellable.

A 2023 test by the Danish Technological Institute, commissioned by the roofers’ association, suggested cleaning and painting could extend an asbestos roof’s life by up to 30 years. Critics, however, argue the test’s limited scope—just two roof panels—lacks broader validity. Roofers insist the process seals loose asbestos fibres, preventing wind from dispersing them into gardens or playgrounds.