Slate roof - losing tiles - expected?
Discussion
roofer said:
Sounds like Chinese slate. They shatter when you nail them. When they fixed them, they probably used 1 nail to hold instead of re holing and using 2 .
Yes, it does sound like Chinese Slates. 3 houses next to mine were built by a fairly premium Scottish house builder within the last 10 years. All 3 have missing slates, and all 3 have roof designs where some areas are inaccessible other than with cherry pickers. The slates are all Chinese.
Just for info I have checked the NHBC Standards doc and it states -
"Natural slates to European Standard BS EN 12326-1 and -2 Check particularly that imported slates comply fully with this Standard"
NHBC technical guidance note can be found here - http://www.nhbc.co.uk/Builders/Technicaladviceands...
"Natural slates to European Standard BS EN 12326-1 and -2 Check particularly that imported slates comply fully with this Standard"
NHBC technical guidance note can be found here - http://www.nhbc.co.uk/Builders/Technicaladviceands...
Well in reality the source of the slate is irrelevant, it's the method of fixing it that's the issue here. For so many slates to come off in such a short time, they must have been fixed incorrectly.
I think you need to escalate this to a legal level very quickly. Now you know the roof's not right, if a tile comes off and hits somebody or damages a passing car or even your own, YOU will be held liable because you were aware the roof's not correct and it's likely that your insurance company will deny liability because you've not tried to rectify the fault.
If it were me, I'd get the site manager round pronto and see what he has to say. If he tries to fob you off with excuses I'd want a written statement from him saying the roof is correct and they accept liability for any injury or damage to a third party. If he won't do that then straight on to the builders solicitors and the NHBC. Cover your arris as soon as or you can easily be in deep doo doo.
I think you need to escalate this to a legal level very quickly. Now you know the roof's not right, if a tile comes off and hits somebody or damages a passing car or even your own, YOU will be held liable because you were aware the roof's not correct and it's likely that your insurance company will deny liability because you've not tried to rectify the fault.
If it were me, I'd get the site manager round pronto and see what he has to say. If he tries to fob you off with excuses I'd want a written statement from him saying the roof is correct and they accept liability for any injury or damage to a third party. If he won't do that then straight on to the builders solicitors and the NHBC. Cover your arris as soon as or you can easily be in deep doo doo.
ColinM50 said:
Well in reality the source of the slate is irrelevant, it's the method of fixing it that's the issue here. For so many slates to come off in such a short time, they must have been fixed incorrectly.
Im sorry I dont agree.BS EN 12326 covers strength, water absorption & thermal cycle.
A cheap Chinese slate might be quite absorbent and as such could be prone to cracking if the water within the slate freezes.
Not to mention that building control require that standard to be meet so the developer may have failed to comply.
The rest of the slates are still in situ - it's like they are cracking and 2/3 or so are coming off, leaving the top 1/3 still below the layer above.
I am hoping the developer will see sense here as we all live on the front arc of the development, right next to both the show homes and sales office.
The site still has 3 years or so to go (at least) and because of good visibility, they will not be moving the showhomes further in as some sites do.
This means the first thing people will se as they drive in is our houses.
If we don't get a satisfactory resolution, i'm sure a few well placed notices could be in order
N.B. The site manager has said this is a problem with these slates as they seem to break with very little movement. He has intimated that it is to be expected - after reading the responses on here, I beg to differ!
I am hoping the developer will see sense here as we all live on the front arc of the development, right next to both the show homes and sales office.
The site still has 3 years or so to go (at least) and because of good visibility, they will not be moving the showhomes further in as some sites do.
This means the first thing people will se as they drive in is our houses.
If we don't get a satisfactory resolution, i'm sure a few well placed notices could be in order
N.B. The site manager has said this is a problem with these slates as they seem to break with very little movement. He has intimated that it is to be expected - after reading the responses on here, I beg to differ!
AmiableChimp said:
N.B. The site manager has said this is a problem with these slates as they seem to break with very little movement. He has intimated that it is to be expected
You need to get serious and serious quick as it seems they want to try and wash their hands of the problem and fob you off.B17NNS said:
I always thought some form of mechanical fixing was used with slate?
Yes, copper nails into the timber battens isn't it; but are we talking about slates or tiles?AFAIK slates are always nailed on, and tiles (which are thicker and heavier than slates) are often located by lugs that hook over the tile battens, but they might have a nail through as well.
We're currently having some roof work done and we have precast concrete tiles, and these are fixed with nails, as there doesn't seem to be much of a lug to stop them sliding down the roof.
If newly built houses are having slates/tiles blown off so readily, it doesn't say much for the building regulations, unless the builders have cut a few corners and not done the work properly. Either way, it's a poor show.
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