Garage Demolition: When Should You Remove an Old Outbuilding from Your Property?
Around 11 million homes in the UK have garages—that’s about a third of all 29 million homes nationwide. That’s a whole lot of garages – but the thing is, not all of them are going to good use.
In fact, a recent report by RAC found that more than 50% of homeowners use their garage primarily for storage, not for vehicles – and perhaps this is the reason so many of them fall into disrepair. Without a definitive purpose, garages can easily become neglected spaces, slowly filling with clutter, growing damp, and deteriorating.
Over time, what was once a practical feature of your property can turn into an eyesore or worse yet, a hazard – and this is the moment where garage demolition should become a key consideration. For many people, this is the only answer that makes practical and financial sense, as repairing or repurposing a severely degraded structure can often cost more than just removing it entirely.
What’s more, the process can be streamlined. Here at Chain Demolition, our demolition services in Manchester have been recognised as one of the safest and most efficient options in the region, complete with end-to-end support that takes the stress out of the entire ordeal.
But how do you know when to get in contact with us and remove an outbuilding from your property? Sadly, it’s not as simple as just spotting a few cobwebs or a leaky roof! Knowing when to take a step like this involves recognising a combination of structural, legal, and practical issues, and that’s exactly what we’re going to lay out for you now.
Spotting Structural Damage
The first sign that your old outbuilding is no longer fit for purpose can be found in the structure of the building itself. Have you noticed any cracks in the walls or foundation, or a sagging roof with rotting timbers? If so, these are serious red flags.
Even if a crack is small, it can indicate a variety of underlying issues, including ground movement, subsidence, or general wear and tear from decades of elemental exposure. They can start as cosmetic nuisances, but they quickly grow into larger, more dangerous faults that compromise the building’s stability.
A sagging or uneven roofline is often a telltale sign of more serious problems. Whether it’s rotting timber supports or rusted metal fixings, an issue like this can easily allow water to penetrate and accelerate decay inside the garage, risking collapse.
Spotting Dangerous Mould Signs
Another issue that might seem minimal is mould or persistent dampness. Go into any garage in Cheshire, Manchester, or across the UK, and you’ll likely find evidence of moisture problems – especially in older, poorly ventilated garages. In a way, it’s become so common that many homeowners simply pass it off as something to be expected, but this is the first mistake that can cost you.
Think of mould as a slow, silent disease – one that spreads through your garage, weakening its structure and making it increasingly unsafe. It thrives in damp, dark environments, feeding on wood, plaster, and a variety of other materials until the damage becomes far too severe to fix.
We’re not saying that you should push the ‘demolition’ button as soon as you notice mould. If you catch it early, professional treatment might save the building. But in many cases, the damage mould and dampness do to an outbuilding is irreversible, not to mention the potential health risks of mould exposure.
Recognising Asbestos
Lastly, asbestos. A significant number of older garages contain asbestos materials, especially those built before the 1990s. Asbestos was commonly used in roofing sheets, wall panels, and insulating materials, but now that we know it poses a serious health risk, professional asbestos removal must be prioritised.
Of course, asbestos fibres are dangerous when they become airborne, but, as we just mentioned, if your outbuilding is slowly falling into disrepair, that’s increasing the chances of that happening – without you even being aware of it. Essentially, this means you should be harsher with your assessment.
If you’re concerned that your building might have asbestos, and you notice just a slight sign of wear and damage, you need to make your move quickly. One of the things you can expect during our demolition project is an initial site inspection, where we’ll recognise the presence of any asbestos and remove it in a timely, professional manner – before carrying out the demolition job and ensuring you have a clean slate for the future.
Conclusion
These are the three main signs that your old outbuilding needs to be demolished. There are a few more, of course. Even if your garage isn’t showing signs of structural damage or mould, it’s still important to analyse its usefulness, and whether something new – such as a home office, a garden, or an added driveway – would be better.
It’s also important to note that some garages were built without proper planning permission and, perhaps, no longer meet local zoning or building code requirements. These are similarly important factors to consider, but the bottom line is, it’s important for you to pay attention to your space and see it for what it really is. Only then will you know what the best course of action will be.