UglyMan

There are 53 houses, I counted 25 that the council did in the same concrete style, my adjoining neighbour also concrete now though slightly different and three houses are double Romans. The rest if us are still on slate. Yes we bought this 7 years ago and roof was "end of life" being "beyond economical repair due to slipped slates" by the homebuyers report. I had a so called reputable local company then come out, tell me the same and quote my an amazing 18k, yes... 18k to replace it. The week we moved in I had a work colleagues Dad who I learnt was a roofer come out, replace I think 15 or so slates and repoint all ridge and hips. Not had a problem since post-storm-arwen when I lost a slate on the back and then two or three near it went and water was coming in. Had these replaced just last week. This is after one company came out, got on the ladder and said "to be honest mate, I wouldn't be able to get on here.. it's in such poor condition it may just collapse" LOL.. company who did the work said its had extensive repairs but still in working order. The problem I get is roofers tell you radically different things. Some make out like it will fall off any moment, some say its fine. I know the timber inside is really passed its best. Still holding but there are places that it is noticeably degrading. If rebatoned it would be better surely?

Can anyone tell me then, if I keep the slates and go with new batons and membrane is this going to be cheaper than a whole new modern co create roof?

Thanks SteamyTea, nobody robs wheels anymore - they just take the car haha. I will take a look at that yes.

Hi, Thanks so much for all the quick replies! :) A bit more info.. The slates don't have any felt no, they have 'torching' applied - lime and horsehair I am told, much of which has fallen off in the last few years the rest is quite loose. I would say much off the lath going across is still in reasonable shape but there are areas dotted around were it is either fluffy and crumbly to the tough or is showing signs of damp / splits. Some slates from the loft are powdery but seems to be just the surface. Ridge board is quite furry looking but seems sturdy and purlins etc look good. On the concrete roofs in the road, they all look ok as far as I can tell accept one. It's a bit strange, when I moved there in the road was an empty almost derelict house all caged off with signs "Dangerous building keep out" it had broken windows, holes in roof etc and it visibly leans to one side giving the roof a cock-eyed look. Legend had it that an old woman lived there nearly all her life and died with no next of kin that could be found, during this time chavs etc vandalised it. After years of laying empty it eventually passed via bonavacantia back to the council. The council gutted it and modernised it and this includes a new concrete tiled roof like their others. The roof is still cock-eyed and the house visibly leans to one side but a young family lives there now so time will tell it seems! The other concrete roofs have been in place since 2008. Neighbours had new batons going across but that's it as did the leaning house up the road - not sure on the others though. Is this likely enough support in the type of baton needed? How long does it normally take to notice a sag? On re-slating then, using my slates with just new baton and membrane, any idea how much I am looking at? We are in the Liverpool area if that helps and a new concrete roof costs between 4k - 5k for comparison. Not heard of PV but I am going to look it up.

Hi Everyone, Just looking for some non bias, impartial advice really. We have a Welsh Slate roof on our late 1920s 3 bed semi. As a bit of background, we bought the house seven years ago and the homebuyers report told us that the roof was "end of life" and that due to multiple slipped slates (x16) and the fact that many neighbouring properties have had new roofs (all but x1 were council renewed) it needed to be replaced completely. A separate company then surveyed it and condemned it with a laughable £12k to replace. I already have had quotes since around 4-5 k. Anyway, wife's friends Dad is a roofer. Came out, put x16 new slates on, repointed ridges and said easily 10 years or so left in it. No problems since then until storm arwen were x3 dislodged slates occurred leading to leaks. Just been able to get these replaced along with about another 2 or 3 suspect slates due to time wasters over Christmas. When I asked their opinion on the roof they said that whilst it's had extensive repairs (about x40 or so tingles dotted around all three sides) but then if its not leaking then they can't tell me to buy a new one - but it would be different if I had to get them out every other month. So, the 4k mark gets me a new Marley concrete plain roof which matches the council ones, adjoining neighbour and the new builds up the road. But, when I read up on it, some say the concrete roofs are great, others say not. Some say extra support is required but I have not seen anyone here do anything but new buttons going across. Some say they last 50 years (I'll be dead by then) others say half of that (I might still he around) so I am unsure what's best. Then there is the Welsh slate, apparently the best and most expensive covering in the world- do I just keep on with the tingles? I wondered about a strip, new buttons and slates back on in the future and some say that's the best way others ask why would you want a new roof consisting of almost 100 year old materials. What is your thoughts?