The Problem
The customer had multiple leaks, and birds and pests were nesting in the roof. The roof was the original clay tile covering, more than 100 years old, and there was no felt whatsoever underneath. As with many older properties, the roof relied on the tiles alone, so once they began to fail there was nothing to stop water reaching the roof space.
What We Recommended
Patching a roof of this age and condition would only have bought a little time. We recommended a full replacement and explained why: the tiles were at the end of their life, there was no protective layer beneath them, and the leaks and pest entry were a symptom of the whole roof failing, not a single fault.
Work Carried Out
- Removed the old clay roof covering
- Installed a new Redland 49 tile roof
- Fitted eaves-level ventilation
- Used all dry fixings, including a new dry-ridge system, dry verge and dry valleys
Dry-fix systems replace traditional mortar with mechanical fixings, so ridges, verges and valleys stay in place and the roof can ventilate, instead of cracking and falling out over time.
The Result
A fully replaced, ventilated tile roof that keeps water and pests out. The customer was left with a 10-year insurance-backed guarantee, which remains valid even if a roofing company stops trading.
Is Your Roof Similar?
If your home has an older tile roof with leaks, slipping tiles or no underlay, read our guides to tile roofing and new roof installation, or request a free survey and itemised quote.
Why Dry-Fix Systems?
Traditional ridges, hips and verges are bedded in mortar, which cracks and falls out as a roof moves and ages. Dry-fix systems fix the ridge, verge and valley components mechanically instead, so they stay put, need far less maintenance and let the roof ventilate.
Why Old Roofs Often Have No Felt
Roofing underlay did not exist when many Victorian and Edwardian homes were built, so older roofs rely on the tiles alone. That works only while every tile is in place; once tiles slip, water goes straight into the roof space. Read more in why old roofs have no underlay.
Questions About This Job
Why did the old clay roof leak?
Clay tiles of this age can become porous and the nibs that hang them on the battens can fail, while with no felt there was nothing to stop water getting through.
Could the roof have been repaired instead?
Not sensibly. With the tiles at the end of their life, repairs would only have bought a little time.
Thinking About Replacing an Older Tile Roof?
If your roof is original, leaking in more than one place or has no underlay, a full replacement is often better value than repeated repairs. We can talk you through both options honestly and itemise the quote so you can compare. See new roof installation and tile roofing, or request a free quote.
