UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Roly
 
Posts: n/a
Default Roof repair

A friend of mine has some problems with the roof on her house. The
lining is ripped and hanging loose in places, some tiles are loose and
there is rot starting to appear in the timber under a valley part of the
gable.

Her instinct is to get the inside of the roof sprayed with foam, partly
to sort those problems and partly to further improve the insulation.

I've no idea if this is a good solution or what sort of questions to ask
a surveyor when they come to quote for the work.

Any advice or suggestions ?
  #3   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
The Natural Philosopher
 
Posts: n/a
Default Roof repair

Roly wrote:
A friend of mine has some problems with the roof on her house. The
lining is ripped and hanging loose in places, some tiles are loose and
there is rot starting to appear in the timber under a valley part of the
gable.

Her instinct is to get the inside of the roof sprayed with foam, partly
to sort those problems and partly to further improve the insulation.

I've no idea if this is a good solution or what sort of questions to ask
a surveyor when they come to quote for the work.

Any advice or suggestions ?


Arrange for a relative to become urgently sick...and leave the area at once.
  #4   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Lobster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Roof repair

Roly wrote:
A friend of mine has some problems with the roof on her house. The
lining is ripped and hanging loose in places, some tiles are loose and
there is rot starting to appear in the timber under a valley part of the
gable.

Her instinct is to get the inside of the roof sprayed with foam, partly
to sort those problems and partly to further improve the insulation.

I've no idea if this is a good solution or what sort of questions to ask
a surveyor when they come to quote for the work.

Any advice or suggestions ?


Tell her, beg her, implore her, order her - whatever it takes - to
cancel the appointment.

David
  #5   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Dave Plowman (News)
 
Posts: n/a
Default Roof repair

In article ,
Roly wrote:
Her instinct is to get the inside of the roof sprayed with foam, partly
to sort those problems and partly to further improve the insulation.


Simply don't. If the roof is leaking this will just accelerate the rotting
of the timbers. Timber can stand getting damp on occasions provided it can
dry out again. Foam won't stop it getting wet if the roof is faulty but
will prevent it drying out.

--
*Funny, I don't remember being absent minded.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.


  #6   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
someone here
 
Posts: n/a
Default Roof repair


"Roly" wrote in message
m...
A friend of mine has some problems with the roof on her house. The
lining is ripped and hanging loose in places, some tiles are loose and
there is rot starting to appear in the timber under a valley part of the
gable.

Her instinct is to get the inside of the roof sprayed with foam, partly
to sort those problems and partly to further improve the insulation.

I've no idea if this is a good solution or what sort of questions to ask
a surveyor when they come to quote for the work.

Any advice or suggestions ?


Once the foam is in place the problems cannot be fixed cheaply or easily.

The manufacturor/installer of roof foam requires that the roof be in good
order BEFORE the installation.

Dave


  #7   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Roly
 
Posts: n/a
Default Roof repair

Roly wrote:

Any advice or suggestions ?


Thanks for all the comments.

Well it's not hard to see that the consensus is that foam isn't the
favoured solution.

The lady in question has found builders and tradesmen to be unreliable,
being happy to quote for a job, but not always coming back to actually
carry out work - at least not for small jobs.

So would she be better to get a roofing contractor or a builder in ?

She lives in a very small town, so there aren't that many tradesmen
around to offer a range of quotes. Are there any crafty ways to ensure
that the quote is realistic and the work is done well ?
  #8   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Dave Plowman (News)
 
Posts: n/a
Default Roof repair

In article ,
Roly wrote:
The lady in question has found builders and tradesmen to be unreliable,
being happy to quote for a job, but not always coming back to actually
carry out work - at least not for small jobs.


So would she be better to get a roofing contractor or a builder in ?


She lives in a very small town, so there aren't that many tradesmen
around to offer a range of quotes. Are there any crafty ways to ensure
that the quote is realistic and the work is done well ?


I'm afraid it doesn't sound like a minor or small job.

--
*What was the best thing before sliced bread? *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
  #9   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Roly
 
Posts: n/a
Default Roof repair

The current position is that the lady isn't convinced by the advice not
to use foam. She asks for specific reasons why it's not a good idea. At
the moment I can understand her point that it could mostly be a gut
reaction against getting foam. The only valid reason so far was about
timber not being able to dry out. Any other reasons ?

She's quite impressed by the fact that some prestigious clients appear
to have had this sort of work done, including the National Trust. They
try to look after their buildings, so she feels that they wouldn't botch
things.

Once again, I know nothing of such things and would welcome any advice.
  #10   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Dave Plowman (News)
 
Posts: n/a
Default Roof repair

In article ,
Roly wrote:
The current position is that the lady isn't convinced by the advice not
to use foam. She asks for specific reasons why it's not a good idea. At
the moment I can understand her point that it could mostly be a gut
reaction against getting foam. The only valid reason so far was about
timber not being able to dry out. Any other reasons ?


Fine. If she's convinced she knows better than *all* the advice she's had
from here then tell her to go ahead. Doncha just love it?

Has she asked a decent roofing company what's required for a proper fix?
Or even - perish the thought - an architect, if it's an old property?

Spraying gunge inside the roof may well be a short term fix. But if she
intends living there for a while only puts off the time when the job has
to be done properly - and that then is likely to cost more. On top of the
price of the gunge which will then have to be removed.

And if she intends to sell will simply be seen as a bodge by the surveyor.

--
*Proofread carefully to see if you any words out or mispeld something *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.


  #11   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
 
Posts: n/a
Default Roof repair

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Roly wrote:


The current position is that the lady isn't convinced by the advice not
to use foam.


classic isnt it.

She asks for specific reasons why it's not a good idea.


Let her read up on it. eg at periodproperty.co.uk's forum, they
discussed it in detail.

At
the moment I can understand her point that it could mostly be a gut
reaction against getting foam. The only valid reason so far was about
timber not being able to dry out. Any other reasons ?


yes.


Fine. If she's convinced she knows better than *all* the advice she's had
from here then tell her to go ahead. Doncha just love it?

Has she asked a decent roofing company what's required for a proper fix?
Or even - perish the thought - an architect, if it's an old property?

Spraying gunge inside the roof may well be a short term fix. But if she
intends living there for a while only puts off the time when the job has
to be done properly - and that then is likely to cost more. On top of the
price of the gunge which will then have to be removed.

And if she intends to sell will simply be seen as a bodge by the surveyor.


it also may be an unsafe repair, depending on whether the foam is
strong enough to hold the roof up with rotten wood. It sounds like
thats what will happen.

But more to the point, it isnt relevant to the repair anyhow. Repairing
the problem and foam coating are 2 separate things. Foam wont fix the
problems.

And btw ripped felt is a very minor thing, assuming the roof design is
basically ok. You dont need felt, it just reduces dust and dirt in the
loft, and acts as a backup in case of roof damage. Lots of roofs have
no felt.


NT

  #12   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
keith_765
 
Posts: n/a
Default Roof repair


"Roly" wrote in message
m...
The current position is that the lady isn't convinced by the advice not
to use foam. She asks for specific reasons why it's not a good idea. At
the moment I can understand her point that it could mostly be a gut
reaction against getting foam. The only valid reason so far was about
timber not being able to dry out. Any other reasons ?

She's quite impressed by the fact that some prestigious clients appear
to have had this sort of work done, including the National Trust. They
try to look after their buildings, so she feels that they wouldn't botch
things.

Once again, I know nothing of such things and would welcome any advice.


Spraying the inside under any roof covering is an absolute no no. Its use is
only for short term for a complete re roof .
There is no ventilation for condensation and if the roof as to be repaired,
its a nightmare to get access to find where the ingress of water in coming
from. You just cant remove any of the roof covering to replace tiles or
slates without cutting away the foam from the underside for about 2 feet or
600 mm area just to replace one slate or tile. Any ingress of water will
just spread and rot any timbers. I'm not convinced that the National Trust
still use this method. Once a roof as been sprayed none of the slates or
tiles can be reused, this stuff sticks to every thing. The cost of a re
roof will be double of an ordinary re roof. I very much doubt if 100% of the
underside is covered right down to the eaves. All the underlay has to be
taken off from ridge to fascias, any leaks made watertight and rotting
timbers replace with new or treated to stop further decay.

From what I read its the valley section that's causing the trouble. If the
roof cover is of the single lap concrete tile type with concrete valley
trough, this is a common problem with this type of roof. Theses valley
trough lay direct on to the underlay felt. Over the years, due to the
trough condensation, this rots the underlay, then the valley rafter. Also
the mortar bedding disintegrates and sucks water in and contributes to the
problem and eventually cause timber rot and wet ceilings.
The cure is to get the valley trough taken out, re felted and GRP valley
section fitted and the tiles reinstated, re aligned bed and pointed. If the
valley it of Lead construction, simple have it renewed with new lead lining.

I have done this many times. I have photos but don't know how to put them
on the group for you to see how its done. If any member knows how to put
theses pics on a site for viewing, please advise

K Spencer.



  #13   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
keith_765
 
Posts: n/a
Default Roof repair


"Roly" wrote in message
m...
The current position is that the lady isn't convinced by the advice not
to use foam. She asks for specific reasons why it's not a good idea. At
the moment I can understand her point that it could mostly be a gut
reaction against getting foam. The only valid reason so far was about
timber not being able to dry out. Any other reasons ?

She's quite impressed by the fact that some prestigious clients appear
to have had this sort of work done, including the National Trust. They
try to look after their buildings, so she feels that they wouldn't botch
things.

Once again, I know nothing of such things and would welcome any advice.



  #14   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
keith_765
 
Posts: n/a
Default Roof repair


"keith_765" wrote in message
...

"Roly" wrote in message
m...
The current position is that the lady isn't convinced by the advice not
to use foam. She asks for specific reasons why it's not a good idea. At
the moment I can understand her point that it could mostly be a gut
reaction against getting foam. The only valid reason so far was about
timber not being able to dry out. Any other reasons ?

She's quite impressed by the fact that some prestigious clients appear
to have had this sort of work done, including the National Trust. They
try to look after their buildings, so she feels that they wouldn't botch
things.

Once again, I know nothing of such things and would welcome any advice.


Spraying the inside under any roof covering is an absolute no no. Its use

is
only for short term for a complete re roof .
There is no ventilation for condensation and if the roof as to be

repaired,
its a nightmare to get access to find where the ingress of water in coming
from. You just cant remove any of the roof covering to replace tiles or
slates without cutting away the foam from the underside for about 2 feet

or
600 mm area just to replace one slate or tile. Any ingress of water will
just spread and rot any timbers. I'm not convinced that the National

Trust
still use this method. Once a roof as been sprayed none of the slates or
tiles can be reused, this stuff sticks to every thing. The cost of a re
roof will be double of an ordinary re roof. I very much doubt if 100% of

the
underside is covered right down to the eaves. All the underlay has to be
taken off from ridge to fascias, any leaks made watertight and rotting
timbers replace with new or treated to stop further decay.

From what I read its the valley section that's causing the trouble. If

the
roof cover is of the single lap concrete tile type with concrete valley
trough, this is a common problem with this type of roof. Theses valley
trough lay direct on to the underlay felt. Over the years, due to the
trough condensation, this rots the underlay, then the valley rafter. Also
the mortar bedding disintegrates and sucks water in and contributes to the
problem and eventually cause timber rot and wet ceilings.
The cure is to get the valley trough taken out, re felted and GRP valley
section fitted and the tiles reinstated, re aligned bed and pointed. If

the
valley it of Lead construction, simple have it renewed with new lead

lining.

I have done this many times. I have photos but don't know how to put them
on the group for you to see how its done. If any member knows how to put
theses pics on a site for viewing, please advise

K Spencer.

PS
I bet the English Heritage don't you it. I know that the National
Federation of roofing contractors don't recommend it..


  #15   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Lobster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Roof repair

keith_765 wrote:

I have done this many times. I have photos but don't know how to put them
on the group for you to see how its done. If any member knows how to put
theses pics on a site for viewing, please advise


Someone asked the same question here the other day - here are the
replies: http://tinyurl.com/dgzhv (or
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/uk....214424f3c0558c)

David


  #16   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
Rob Morley
 
Posts: n/a
Default Roof repair

In article
keith_765 wrote:
snip
I have done this many times. I have photos but don't know how to put them
on the group for you to see how its done. If any member knows how to put
theses pics on a site for viewing, please advise

You have some free web space with your ntl account - it will be called
something like http://homepage.ntlworld.com/keith_765 and you can upload
files to it using ftp://upload.ntlworld.com, where the username and
password are those for your main ntl account.
Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Concrete roof tiles repair question miamicuse Home Repair 4 November 14th 05 06:34 AM
Temporary roof repair after Wilma advise miamicuse Home Repair 15 November 1st 05 02:23 PM
roof repair jakobs wife Home Repair 4 December 20th 04 06:30 PM
Round clay tile roof leaks, needs repair dadiOH Home Repair 5 November 30th 04 01:29 PM
Shed roof repair, re-tile, fibreglass or felt? Zooologist UK diy 7 November 28th 04 07:48 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:28 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 DIYbanter.
The comments are property of their posters.
 

About Us

"It's about DIY & home improvement"