Page 21 - 365411 Findley 92pp A4 PBound.pdf

Nail sickness
Nail sickness occurs when the copper and steel nail heads rot due to a lifetime of acid rain trafficking. This is often the main cause of tile and slate slippages and subsequent leaks. Where nail sickness is prevalent or rampant, a decision should be made on the roof replacement. Your estimator is best placed to advise on this course of action. Localised repairs can be carried out and slates can be refastened with new copper tiles or lead straps. This is not ideal but, nevertheless, can be carried out.
Rotten timber
In older, pre-1940 homes, most of the timber battens or laths were not pressure treated or impregnated with any sort of protection. Nowadays standards are, of course, much higher and all timber work must be pressure treated.
In the absence of such treatments, it is clear to see that homes exceeding 70+ years of age suffer badly from rotting laths around the eaves and verges again causing tiling problems and roof failures. Leaks will persist and tiling repairs will be ongoing if the laths continue to fail. This is sometimes difficult to spot at estimate stage and a full loft inspection should be done to try and investigate suspicious areas of roof damage.
Porous tiling and frost damage
Most roof coverings have a determined life expectancy as set by the manufacturer. These should be adhered to and a common sense approach should be applied when repairing old roofs way past their designated life expectancy. Early indications of such issues may be: Porous concrete tiling problems when the tiles are turned over, and extensive frost damage and delamination to clay and slate tiles. Ask your Findley estimator to see evidence of these issues if they present themselves.
Cost considerations
Repairing a roof can be a perennial thing. If you are happy to repair and maintain a roof yearly, then be prepared for some regular expenditure. The financial case to answer is often one of: How many times do your repair an old roof before you save up and have it replaced? Your estimator is best placed to give advice on cost considerations going forward, and if it may be financially beneficial to renew the roof.
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