Building Survey - comments on roof?

[Matt1082]

afternoon,

(I think I read somewhere on this forum not to ask for quotes on this forum, so I'll try not to)

I've just bought a 1931 three bedroom end terrace (technically...it was actually built as a semi detached) house, and got the results of the Building Survey back yesterday.

Overall I don't think it's in any worse state than the vast majority of houses of the same era; having said that there are quite a few comments on or surrounding the roof.

The roof is asbestos slate (I didn't know slates contained asbestos - is this normal?), not sure about the dimensions. About half a dozen times in the Build Report it mentions slates have slipped and have been re-fixed.

The 'head of the bay window' is I'm told in need of replacement (is that the flat rooof of the bay? Presumbly the same 15 year lifespan suggested for flat felt roofs?)

It then finishes on the following note:

The main roof will be a high maintenance liability because of its age and in the longer term it would require stripping and re-slating.

Any comments would be welcome - I suppose I'm just looking for somebody who knows more about roofs than I do (i.e. probably everybody) to tell me that these sort of comments are to be expected for a roof that is probably 80 years old. Or if it's cause for concern, I'd like to know that too?

ta[/quote]

 

[Alastairreid]

The roof is approaching the end of it's usable life and will probably need replacing sometime in the near future.

a bit of info.

 

[BethesdaSlate]

If the house was built in 1931 it is most likely to still be roofed with natural slate rather than man made slates that may contain asbestos.

So it sounds to me like its a natural slate roof at the end of its life, time to get some quotes in - See the NFRC website for competent slate roofing specialists in your area, they will advise if the slates are asbestos and will quote accordingly.

Note: if it's slates make sure you get a slater not a tiler!

Getting quotes (and thus advise) should't cost you anything.

Regards
Jon

 

[datarebal]

Asbestos slate was indeed used in early 1930 throughout the uk..
Do you have a picture?

 

[jcjenkins]

There are asbestos shingles and there are slate shingles, but there is no "asbestos slate." Asbestos shingles have been in use since the 1920s and they do last a long time, maybe a century if properly cared for. Slate is a natural stone that does not contain asbestos and it has been around for a thousand years or more. There is more about asbestos roofs at: http://www.slateroofcentral.com/asbestos_repair.html.

 

[jcjenkins]

http://www.slateroofcentral.com/asbestos_repair.html

 

[datarebal]

This is the UK not USA, While there is Natural slate, there are also Asbestos slate, cement fibre slate ..blah blah blah...
an exmaple :- http://www.marleyeternit.co.uk/Roofing/Slates/Thrutone-Fibre-Cement-Slate.aspx

Their life span is not long and will be come porous fairly quickly when compared with natural slate. However they are very resistant to wind uplift owing to two nail fixings and a cdr.