Tiles moving and becoming dislodged – What could be the cause?

Tiles moving is a very common issue customers will often call about, particularly when they have interlocking low pitch tiles such as Marley Anglia tiles. If tiles appear to be moving at the bottom of a client’s rooftop, it’s likely the issue can be resolved relatively quickly and easily.

What could be causing my client’s roof tiles to move?

If tiles are moving, its likely being caused by rotten battens under the tiles. This happens when the wind blows the rainwater under the roof tiles, causing the battens in the bottom metre of the roof to get damp and over time rot including the nails which fix them.

As the battens begin to rot away, any interlocking low pitch tiles such as Marley Anglia tiles can begin to move and dislodge from one another exposing gaps which if not repaired will in time cause substantial leaks.

You will know if this is the case, as the movement of the tiles will become very visible (example below)

What can be done to fix moving tiles?

If tiles are moving at the bottom of the roof, its likely the damp has only affected the bottom one metre of a roof and there should be no need for a re-roof, however the battens on the bottom one meter of your roof will need to be replaced, and the tiles re-fitted or replaced. A very quick and simple fix if you have the right materials.

How can we help?

If you have a client in worried about their tiles moving and dislodging, we can help! Here at Bromsgrove Roofing Supplies ltd, we can provide a free no obligation quotation for roofing materials and tools you need such as specially treated battens, replacement any interlocking low pitch tiles such as Marley Anglia tiles and much more. Contact us today to see how we can help you!

Tel: 01527 864944

Email: bromsgrove@kidderminsterroofing.com

Or drop us a message on Facebook!

Causes of flat roof pooling or puddles and when it becomes a problem

The recent downpours may have caused a surge of concerned clients to call about their flat roof collecting pools or puddles of water, worried about the damage it may be causing.

Its a very common issue, particularly after an excessive amount of rain, but not all cases may require a repair and could be very easily explained without the requiring a closer look.

Here we aim to explore what causing water to pool on a flat roof, when it can become a problem and when it can be beneficial for the roof.

Why does water puddle or pool on a flat roof?

It is common for puddles to appear on a flat roof as unlike a pitched roof, a flat roof struggles to drain rain water as it doesn’t have the benefit of a pitched slope, which can often cause water to sit until it is eventually evaporated away when the weather dries up.

Small puddles are often nothing to worry about, however large pools of water could cause damage if left untreated.

What causes a pool of water to appear on a flat roof is a process called “ponding”. Ponding occurs when excess waters that is left on a rooftop after a downpour is unable to drain away and remains for 24-48 hours.

What can cause ponding?

Insufficient drainage – A flat roof can pond if there is insufficient drainage, such as a blocked outlet or downpipe.
Weight damage to the flat roof – A flat roof is not designed to withstand a large amount of weight. If a heavy object is left on a flat roof, or if someone was to regularly walk on a flat roof (i.e. to use as a balcony) not designed for this purpose, the roof can begin to concave inward, trapping water and causing the roof to pond.
A roof fixture – New roof fixtures placed into a flat roof such as a lantern or skylight can create gaps causing water to get trapped on a flat roof.
Moss and waste – Moss and other waste such as dead leaves can hold water causing the rood to pond. It is always important to remove waste and any excess moss. Read our blog on removing moss from roof top tiles and slates.
A change in materials – Originally a flat roof would be lay with a material called limestone grit which gave a gravel appearance on the top of the flat roof. As water would pool, the pool would lay invisible as the water would sit inside the gravel and remain undetected. Since then this material is no longer used and more modern materials such as EPDM rubber and GRP are becoming more popular. These modern coverings tend to be smooth faced meaning pooling water that would previously be hidden by grit becomes much more obvious.
Structural fatigue and settlement – Over time, roof joists and timber can settle and fatigue. As this happens, the substrate sinks, creating a concave in the roof covering for water to collect and pool. As time goes on, the pooling and settlement go hand in hand and becomes a never ending cycle which often results in full roof replacement.

What is the risk of puddles on a roof?

There is no actual risk of puddles on a roof top, these are very normal, however an extreme amount of water causing ponding on a roof top could be a risk.

Extreme ponding will only ever get worse until its too late. Ongoing ponding will eventually damage the structure of a flat roof, eventually causing it to leak, by which point any repair would be too late, and a complete re-roof is required.

When can puddles on a flat roof be beneficial?

Excess water on a flat roof can be risky, however it can be beneficial to have a little extra water as a form of protection against extreme heat in the summer months. This is because certain materials such as bitumen based felts used on a flat roof can crack when exposed to direct sunlight, damaging the roof. In these cases, it is actually better to have some excess water on the roof top to help keep the roof cool on hot days.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

If you have a client in need of gutter repair or cleaning, we can help! Here at Bromsgrove Roofing Supplies ltd, we can provide a free no obligation quotation for roofing materials and tools you need. Contact us today to see how we can help you!

Tel: 01527 864944

Email: bromsgrove@kidderminsterroofing.com

Or drop us a message on Facebook!

The dangers of a slipped roof tile

A professional roofer will notice a slipped tile straight away, where as a homeowner probably wouldn’t notice there was an issue at all, or wouldn’t think it was significant until it was too late.

Here at Bromsgrove Roofing Supplies ltd, we’ve seen after over 30 years of experience in roofing what damage can be cause when a slipped roof tiles are ignored by homeowners.

Here are just some of the reasons a slipped roof tile would need to be rectified straight away:

Risk of a falling roof tile – What goes up must come down, and when a roof tile slips the only direction it will go is down, which could damage property, or in worse case scenarios seriously injure passers-by. It might not seem too risky at first, however just a bit of wind can be enough to blow a tile off a rooftop. If a roof tile should land on a public footpath, the homeowner will be liable for any personal injury claims, so it would be in their interest to ensure any loose tiles are repaired.

Leaks and water damage – Once a tile slips, a weak spot is unearthed and a bit of bad weather can make one small problem into a massive one. Once you client notices a damp patch in their home, unfortunately the damage may have already been done, and what could have been a small repair on a slipped tile will probably be much bigger job, with major leaks often destroying insulation as well as other structural materials.

Unexpected visitors – A slipped tile doesn’t just mean access to water, but the potential for new house mates, such as nesting birds and even rodents or insects. Once a bird nests, it is illegal to remove the nest until the young flown the nest under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.

Mold – Mold grows anywhere that is damp and warm, making leaky rooftops the ideal place to thrive. Mold can spreading across damp walls inside the home where a leak from a slipped roof tile has dripped down into the walls and even the brickwork. The mold caused by leaks not only look unsightly, however can also cause risks to health such as asthma, allergies, sinus issues and headaches, with children and the elderly particularly at risk.

Wood rot – A slipped tile means the timber structures to a home become exposed to the elements. Just a bit of rain, and these timber structures become damp and in time can rot. Timbers that begin to rot are irreparable and can end up costing a homeowner a lot of money to replace.

Risk of losing market value – If a homeowner is looking to sell, it would be in their best interest to have any slipped tiles repaired. The first thing any potential new buyer will look at when buying a new home is the roof. A slipped tile may be the difference between a successful sale or a substantial loss.

When not to repair a slipped tile

It is always advised to have a slipped tile repaired if it is easily accessible, however if the slipped tile is difficult to access, such as a slipped tile on the very top of the roof, it may cause more damage to repair than to simply leave alone. For instance, a slipped tile in a difficult to access area of a roof may require stepping on other tiles to access which in turn may damage or move the other tiles. Any slipped tile repair must be assessed with great care to judge if it could cause more damage to fix the issue or to leave it alone.

Send in the professionals!

It is always advised that any homeowner has a professional roofer review and assess their roof regularly to ensure small repairs can be rectified safely and affordably before they risk turning into big repairs.

How can we help?

If you have a client in need of a slipped tile repair, we can help! Here at Bromsgrove Roofing Supplies ltd, we can provide a free no obligation quotation for roofing materials you need. Contact us today to see how we can help you!

Tel: 01527 864944

Email: bromsgrove@kidderminsterroofing.com

Or drop us a message on Facebook!