My Parents Need A New Roof

Mojisola

dclaxton wrote: »

The roof has recently been leaking and after an initial repair it needs replacing, it must be at least 40 years old!

dclaxton wrote: »

It's a standard roof with plain tiles, the house is semi-detached built around the 1930's if that's of any help. Sorry I don't know much about roofs.

Is the roof 40 years old or 80+?

A roof shouldn't need replacing after 40 years and most will still be okay after 80 if they've been maintained.

Local AgeUK groups often have a handyman service - worth asking if they would tackle roof repairs.

If not, see whether your area has something like the Anchor Trust 'Staying Put' scheme.

cyclonebri1

Sounds like you have a roof with biscuit tiles fitted, so called because they snap like biscuits if you put a foot on the roof, my 1935 semi had them. They last much longer than 40 years.

Biggest problem you have is that there is no underfelting at that age, unless of course it has been re-foofed at some time. All leaks become "immediate".

Good news is there are very large supplies of these available in several colours from 2nd hand roofing merchants.
From experience my daughter had a large roof replaced when they more or less doubled the roof size by extending, they were taken of carefully and fetched a pretty penny.
By comparison my next doors had theirs done only a few weeks ago. They got the builder to remove with care, but this time couldn't find a local company to take them of their hands, too many available evidently.

So, if it were me and it absolutely does need doing you could try to find someone who with remove them, mix in some 2nd hand replacements and refit over new membrane.
Problem is they are so labour intensive and so brittle I don't think that's viable after having suggested it to you. New tiles will be the cheapest option.

I can tell you that next doors was a detached house, typical squarish shape with a double hip roof, ie, it finished in a point at the top. Cost for stripping and removal then replacement with concrete pan tiles was around £6k, always area dependent of course.

Without getting involved in your affairs, if the house is going to come to you 1 day, your getting it fixed now may be a wise option, but others are involved an amendment to your parent will may be in order.