Are my concrete roof tiles OK (after washing / biocide)

[Allthegearnoidea]

I really debated having this done as I didn't want it to stand out like a sore thumb against other houses in the road, but several roofers recommended it even when they didn't offer the service themselves.  Not sure whether this has caused a problem, exposed a problem, or I'm just worrying unnecessarily!

 

It looks great from the ground, but up close the tiles look very eroded.  These tiles would be approx. 70 years old! 

 

Before:

 

After:

 

 

An original tile (I think?) - it says Marley Eternit on the rear.  The surface texture seems very different, so perhaps this isn't the original tile after all - or perhaps it's been eroded over the years?

 

 

 

I would be grateful for any experience!

 

Thank you

 

 

[Gus Potter]

1 hour ago, Allthegearnoidea said:

It looks great from the ground, but up close the tiles look very eroded.

I have similar on part of my roof. The tiles are on an age where they are likely going to be a bit more pourous. That in itself is not the end of the world. But a roof of this age (circa 1955) may have a bituminous underlay felt which may still be doing a little to catch wind driven water that comes in, or through the tiles due to porosity. Go up into the attic and see if you have felt or not.

 

The main thing for now is to check your roof ventilation in the attic. If you are skint just now then add some extra vents to get it as windy as possible. Then plan / save up for retiling of the roof in the next couple of years. 

[Allthegearnoidea]

21 hours ago, Gus Potter said:

I have similar on part of my roof. The tiles are on an age where they are likely going to be a bit more pourous. That in itself is not the end of the world. But a roof of this age (circa 1955) may have a bituminous underlay felt which may still be doing a little to catch wind driven water that comes in, or through the tiles due to porosity. Go up into the attic and see if you have felt or not.

 

The main thing for now is to check your roof ventilation in the attic. If you are skint just now then add some extra vents to get it as windy as possible. Then plan / save up for retiling of the roof in the next couple of years. 

 

Thanks Gus.  Yes, there is felt under the tiles, and it's generally in good shape - we don't see any water in the loft anyway.  I had a dry ridge installed not to long ago too.  The single-storey extension we're building at the rear will make access a little more difficult, so I'm just trying to make sure it's in as good shape as possible while I can still access it relatively easy.  And yes, due to the extension we are skint so I'm glad to hear it can probably last a few years longer!  Some of the houses in our street are council owned and they had new tiles not too long ago so the council must have thought they were reaching the end of their life, or a contractor persuaded them to reach that conclusion anyway.