Turret slated roof

[000jo000]

Hi, I’m looking for some advice please. We have had our roof re-slated and this is how they have done the turret. We are worried that water can seep in as the slates don’t seem very flush. The scaffolding is still up so we could push them to fix it, but they are saying that it’s normal and to do with the slope of the turret.

 

Would be good to have an expert opinion on if it’s ok to leave like this?

[Cpd]

I am no expert on a turret slate roof but have done quite a bit of traditional slate work, I would say they have used to many wide slates near the top, especially where a wide slate spans three other slates…. I would have only spanned two slates at any time, the slates should all be of a similar size on each course / row so that they sit right, each row nearer the top and the slates get narrower. Looks rubbish and personally I would want it done correctly. Go online and find some information on how it should be done and present this to the roofer. I may be wrong but that’s my opinion. 

[Big Jimbo]

Looks poor. I could not live with paying for that.

[makie]

13 minutes ago, Cpd said:

I am no expert on a turret slate roof but have done quite a bit of traditional slate work, I would say they have used to many wide slates near the top, especially where a wide slate spans three other slates….

 

I'm a roofer and have done many turrets over the years, you are correct.

This must be their first attempt at doing a turret but do not back-down on this. It needs sorted or it is a potential leak/wind problem.

Edited August 2, 2021 by makie

[Gus Potter]

1 hour ago, 000jo000 said:

Hi, I’m looking for some advice please. We have had our roof re-slated and this is how they have done the turret.

 

CPD makes some good points and gives good advice here.

 

Slating turrets is an art.  If you want to have a word with the Slater then be familiar as to what is underneath.. maybe the first thing the Slater will do is to blame the joiner! The turret is a key feature and it needs to be right, often they are right over the front door.. not a good first impression. Ask the Slater if it would be ok on their own house?

 

There are full turrets, half turrets and others and each needs a slightly different approach. If you have a full turret and are in a bind then sort out the bit you can see along the lines of what CPD is suggesting.

 

As a fudge.. and only when you have little other options. On the back where it may be hidden you can sometimes get out of a hole if the side lap on the slates is too small by using a thinner slate with a code 3 lead soaker underneath.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 2, 2021 by Gus Potter
typos

[Dave Jones]

agree with other comments, it needs taking off and sorting.

 

https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Conical_roof_slating

 

 

[000jo000]

Thank you for all your feedback on my question, I really appreciate! 
 

I went back to the company and pushed and they agreed to redo it, however their solution has been to do a much bigger bit of lead than they had originally. I’ve attached a picture, but I think they just replaced the slates on one row and then put the lead on top. 
 

Will this be ok? Are there any negatives? Do we need to push them to redo again?!

 

 

[markc]

A turret is never easy to slate or tile at the top.

the original wasn’t great but this is just a bodge and run.

[000jo000]

Also, some of the slates are wiggling? Is this normal? 
 

(Sorry for all the questions!)

[markc]

That’s just single centre fixing, not great but not a problem as the nails are there to stop the slate sliding down the roof.

[Cpd]

2 hours ago, markc said:

the original wasn’t great but this is just a bodge and run.

It’s pretty bloody awful, the ridge is a joke…. The lead work terrible and only there as they lack the skills to slate it properly.

I am glad I am not you having to deal with this problem, don't know what you are to do as they will not want to fix it, but if it was me I would want the lead work reduce by a minimum of 60% and 3 rows of slates installed correctly, the ridge needs cutting back and properly finished with lead flashing, I AM NOT a roofer and had never worked lead before and did this on my shed roof 10 years ago and it was not hard…… I have the same zinc ridge as you.  @makie might be able to give a definitive appraisal of what they have done. 
best of luck. 

 

Edited August 16, 2021 by Cpd

[Temp]

Not sure if this is a lead or stone cap but just for comparison..

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/ldmslateroofing

 

 

[makie]

6 hours ago, Cpd said:

It’s pretty bloody awful, the ridge is a joke…. The lead work terrible and only there as they lack the skills to slate it properly.

 

 

This, unfortunately these guys seem useless. @000jo000

 

It should be finished like this but with the lead on top of the zinc ridge. (couldn't find a better photo)

In regards to how they nailed the slates it is also unfortunately done wrong and a high wind can damage the roof.

 

It needs to be done similar to this, a minimum of one on the head of the slate and one on each cheek.

[makie]

2 hours ago, Temp said:

Not sure if this is a lead or stone cap but just for comparison..

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/ldmslateroofing

 

 

 

That's just wood mate, it's just a fancy finial for the lead.

[Dave Jones]

for me id want the top 4 rows off and doing again so they sit flat. It does sound like they are out of their depth here, may be worth having the conversation to get in someone who knows what they are doing as its not a run of the mill tiling job?