Yes asbestos is dangerous and should be treated with care always wear a good quality mask.
Licenced asbestos contractors/builders will have to be employed by law to remove and dispose of the asbestos if you have to replace the roof. Contact your local council for a list or name of a registered contractor/builder.
if it hasn't been done yet try.
Right two methods of repair
In both methods if you are game or have to climb on the roof then enquire at your local hire shop what kind of duck board you will need to climb on the garage roof. DO NOT GET ON WITHOUT ONE OR YOU WILL END UP IN THE GARAGE.
1st is to coat the whole roof with aquaseal No5 liquid bitumen paint. First with a thin coat followed by two thicker coats allow each coat to dry before applying the second and subsequent coats.
The second method is the same except the addition of using Weatherband or Flashband and primer to seal off all bad/wide cracks. Wear a mask Stage 1 Clean and prime the area to be covered with the band strip. Prime the surface 1'' wider and longer than the strip. wait until tacky or follow can instructions. Cut a length of strip as required and gently heat with hair dryer before removing bitumen face protective paper. Lay the strip in place with foil uppermost and using a paperhangers seam roller [obtainable in most D.I.Y shops in plastic or wood about 2'' wide]
start from the centre line of the strip rolling and working from centre to left then centre to the right along its length to ensure no air bubbles form in the tape centre, rolling out to the edges to ensure a good weather seal. Once firm and dry coat whole roof with Aquaseal No5 Ask at the builder for a good wide brush to apply the aquaseal.
Which ever method used check yearly. In the second year give another thin coat of aquaseal.
A more permanent repair would be to replace the roof.
Repair Materials
Aquaseal No5 or equivilent. 5gallon [23litres I think]
Brush to apply Aquaseal.
Roll of Weatherband or Flash band about 3 inches wide
Weatherband or Flashband Primer and small brush.
A paperhangers seam roller
Luke Smith
January 2005