Leaky Roof

[Deleted User]

Back in winter 2001, my roof suffered storm damage and rain leaked into the loft down the chimney stack. I got this repaired on the insurance. In winter 2002, same problem arose and again i claimed on insurance. In winter 2003, would you believe ....... i paid up front rather than claim again. It rained a few nights ago, i heard the familiar dripping onto my bedroom ceiling, in exactly the same place. So it needs doing again. Surely this can't be storm damage, it hasn't been that bad. The roofer who did the repairs isn't dodgy but i dont want to use him again. What do i do? Btw i have checked the DIY doctor site, but couldn't find anyone local to me. Please advise.

robowen

Hi Bailey,
I had a similar problem.   :-/
When it rained, we heard a tap..tap..tap on the ceiling in the downstairs back room.
I had removed the chimney breast in there, so had plasterboarded the ceiling and could hear it raining in.

I removed a brick from the stack in the loft and held a camera inside to take digital photos when it rained.
I put the photos on pc, and could see the rain coming inside around the pot.  :o

Got a roofer to "re-flaunch" the pot (re-cement around the pot).
This did not stop it.   >:(
So, I went up there myself and found he hadn't done the job I asked, but had merely covered what was already there with a fine layer of cement. It was already badly cracked and letting in water.

I removed the pot(I don't need one now), removed all cracked cement from around pot. cemented in some slate to cover the hole, then put a layer of curved concrete on top(this stops rain from settleing on top).
plus, the brick, I knocked out in the loft...I put in an air brick to allow ventilation.

I also checked for any bad mortar and lead flashings.

finished off with a whitewash of Thompsons water seal.

The only tap, tap, tap I hear, is me banging my head at the wall, wondering why I paid a simpleton to do an easy job   ;D

[Deleted User]

Thanks for that, thing is, i dont fancy getting up on the roof, i don't do cementing or removing chimney pots either. ;D

plumb1_2

Just a note to members,it might be a good idea to inform people where you live when posting you ?.as there could someone local to help you out,dont have to give exact details
You could even add it to your profile,off to change mine now

robowen

Thanks for that, thing is, i dont fancy getting up on the roof, i don't do cementing or removing chimney pots either.  ;D

me neither.
bit scary at first.
but after going up and down a few times, I started to feel like a natural.
I even got the wife to bring me a cup of tea up ;D
we sat for a while and looked at the view ;D
just great !!

robowen

Just a note to members,it might be a good idea to inform people where you live when posting you ?.as there could someone local to help you out,dont have to give exact details
You could even add it to your profile,off to change mine now

This is a great idea (always had mine listed).
I think the age thing is good as well, it gives you more of a idea of who you are talking to.
The advice you give would change depending on the age of the person.