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Roofing
Are my ridge tiles the fault here?
Hi,
I have a leak in my roof. Our roof is pitched. The house is a semi and there is a chimney between the houses. Water is getting in next to the chimney brickwork. From the outside the flashing looks grossly normal. I think I can see a cracked tile. On the inside I can see what looks like flashing hanging down and if I press upwards on the roofing underlay I can feel a sort of crunching. The underlay has come away at the side of the leak and I can see a crick of daylight at the edge of the tiles.
To me this sounds like some combination of a cracked/slipped tile and a flashing problem.
We had a roofing chap round and he says that the ridge tiles need replacing/relaying. He says that he would look for and replace any loose tiles and damaged flashing as part of the work but that he no longer does isolated small jobs as he feels he can't guarantee a leak free roof with the approach. He's quoting about £1300 for the job. He has not looked in the loft to see the leak.
I confess myself somewhat sceptical. So, I have a few questions I was hoping someone might help with...
(1) How can I tell if my ridge tiles need replacing? What are the symptoms?
(2) How difficult is fixing a cracked tile/damaged flashing? Is this a ladder sort of job or would a scaffold be required? Is he right to suggest that such a repair is likely to be unsatisfactory?
(3) Is such a repair likely to be a false economy?
Many thanks in advance,
James
8 Answers from MyBuilder Roofers
The job you describe doesn't cost that much to fix. Chimney job jus £475 , maybebbit more
If need to buy lead.
Answered 1st Jan 2020
It's hard to say without seeing the roof itself. If the ridge tiles have blown it could be the problem but you shouldn't be able to see daylight out of your roof thats for sure. I think it would be wise to have the "belt and braces" work done as it would only cost in the long run and cause more damage to the property if the leak continues to get worse. The price all depends on the tile and size of the roof the size of the stack and how much needs attention it needs. Also does it need scaffolding? It's like asking for a bit of string, how long do you want it? I think if the builder is sure he can fix it %100 then go for it.
Answered 2nd Jan 2020
From the description it sounds like the problem is perished felt; primarily around the stack, and immediately under the lead flashings. Older houses were felted with a bitumin based felt that over time would crack and deteriorate, mostly under expansion and contraction over time. Excessive water would speed up this process, and there's most water running down a chimney stack to a weak area.
Also a cracked tile allowing water ingress is nowadays not a big issue as the penetrating water would simply run down the breathable felt and into the gutter.
Although I've not checked out this job I'd on balance believe it to be one probably having reached it's life-span that requires a scaffold, stripping, re-felt with breathable felt, then re-tiled.
Answered 2nd Jan 2020
From the description it sounds like it could be the felt but hard to say without seeing the job
Answered 3rd Jan 2020
My answer would be to look at the job and investigate where the problem is by put a ladder up and looking at the area from where it could be leaking
£1300 is very steep to rebed ridges and replace a couple of tiles
Regards dean
Answered 5th Jan 2020
I’d recommend shopping about a bit. Ask a few different roofers to come out and actually have a look at what’s going on. With out looking we’re never no. Definitely be worth getting a few quotes and see if any of there answers are similar. As giving a guarantee for a repair I highly doubt you will find a roofer that will guarantee a repair. It will be a case of find the most obvious problems in that area repair them and just go from there. From what you have described it sounds a very simple job. Kind regards Ben
回答2020年1月7日
Seems to me along with a few others, that the felt along with slipped/failed flashing, has come away from the stack meaning ingress of water.
Having to put a scaffold up is very much dependant on why the roof is leaking, if it’s only the flashing that needs changing, personally roof ladder would suffice.
Best bet would be to have someone look more closely at the leak. I think £1300 to Re-bed ridge and change some flashing is very expensive.
Regards, John.
Answered 21st Jan 2020
Replace the lead around the chimney and any broken tiles, re bed the ridge back on and you’ll be fine price is steep You should get more quotes
Answered 19th Aug 2020
