On 2 Apr 2007 03:55:32 -0700, "Jethro" wrote:

hi all, passing roofer (was doing a job down the road) collared me as
I was driving to work today, and pointed out the cement which holds
the topmost tiles which go over the point of the roof (IIRC he said
"ridge tiles") was breaking away. As soon as he showed me, I could see
he wasn't having me on. There are strips of cement that have fallen
down the roof.

What's the implications - long term of this. Does it need fixing now,
this month, before next winter ?

The next high wind could blow bits / whole ridge tiles off. They might
do some damage at ground level, you know about it now so you would be
liable for damage caused because it would be negligence.You'd also
then have all the fun and enjoyment of finding a (preferably)
identical replacement. It might be easy, it might not.

I think they need to be re-bedded in not just pointed up, which is
likely what he'll do if you're not there supervising.

I recall that when I had a couple of cowboys who knocked on the door
do the job in 2 hours I got more trouble within 3 years or so. When a
proper builder (who had built extensions for us) did it, it's still ok
after 15 years.


What surprised me was when I asked him how much he'd want to do the
job, he said 80ukp, which struck me as very low - to remove and
replace the cement ...

Does he have all the proper insurance coverage, and use the correct
safety equipment? What if he drops his club hammer off the roof and it
does some damage at ground level ?

HTH

DG