Cleaning vertical dormer tiles

[vards01]

Can anyone shed any light on a suitable cleaning product for the attached, house is 1890's build so replacements would be pretty hard to come by. I'm looking to brighten them up a little and remove the paint that's someone has previously spilt over them. A friend of mine mentioned a mild acid....?

PS - Not quite sure on the correct terminology on the title?

 

[Cumbrianroofer30yrsexp]

First up they are a common easily obtained roof tile named rosemarys.Second to clean i would suggest a wire brush with a large tin of elbow grease,i think you will find this will have the desired effect. all joking aside their is no need for acitone or simular just clean as advised.I would also replace the missing pointing to your verge while your up there.There are also a few missing tiles but they may be on next doors.There is also a bit of pointing missing from the ridge.

 

[vards01]

Thanks for that, I did post a thread in here about the mortar mix required for the repointing, as the original was lime. I have a week off soon and plan to put a fillet on the ridges tiles and repoint where required. Yep you're right that’s my neighbours side, but I have a few to replace myside too, I managed to find an exact match in my local reclaim yard so planning to put them to good use. I’m going to be busy, I plan on repainting the soffits and fascias and replacing the cast iron guttering too.
So you think a wire brush will not be too harsh? As I'm not too sure on their stability...i.e. if battens nails have seen better days.

 

[Cumbrianroofer30yrsexp]

If they come off or come loose when your using a wire brush then you have just found out it needs immediate attention.If this is the case if they were that weak they would come of in the next gales anyway.A wire brush will be ok unless the tiles/laths are completley shot which i dont think they will be.Infact id bet money on it .ps,with regards to your pointing just use 3 sand,1 cement + feb or washing up liquid.

 

[vards01]

Thanks for the advice there, but you say these fascia tiles are called rosemarys.....I have some of those from the extension on the back of the house, must admit though they look nothing like the ones on the dormer? Are you meant to cut the curved ones by hand?

 

[Alastairreid]

the curved tiles are manufactured that shape..

clicky

there's quite a few manufacturers of plain tiles.

 

[vards01]

Cant seem to run that link..........

I have found an exact match for the main roof tiles, was just interested in the dormer ones, but they are nothing like the rosemarys I have on the back part of the extension......guess if any fall I'll have to go down the reclaim yard and see if I can match them

 

[Cumbrianroofer30yrsexp]

i must need glasses i had not noticed they were not all standard rosema rys.

 

[vards01]

I've hacked all the old mortar out for the verge pointing.......I think I need to replace the decorative piece of wood that the the mortar was flush with, the question I have is: Is there a product now that is used to level the trowel against when you do the ends like this, as the wood was inset slightly so not realy flush?

Also now realised this little cavity is fully to the brim with birds nests!

 

[Cumbrianroofer30yrsexp]

I've hacked all the old mortar out for the verge pointing.......I think I need to replace the decorative piece of wood that the the mortar was flush with, the question I have is: Is there a product now that is used to level the trowel against when you do the ends like this, as the wood was inset slightly so not realy flush?

Also now realised this little cavity is fully to the brim with birds nests!

no just use a guager,not a pointing trowl.Tip if your not an expert at pointing and have trouble getting it to look good.Just point it the best you can,wait half hour-hour or so until the mortar is starting to go of.Then get a paint brush and a container with water in and brush your pointing smooth.I use this way when im pointing cap flashings on a wet/pebble dash wall to get it keyed in .

 

[vards01]

The wood needs to be replaced anyway, as its only a decorative piece which has rotted over the years, just thought I'd seen this stuff somewhere before, which would be fixed to the decorative piece when I put the new one up and work as a level. Not quite sure whate a gauger is?

 

[Cumbrianroofer30yrsexp]

http://furniture-and-more.bigelbach.com/381617-Gauge-Trowel-7x38/flypage.html

 

[vards01]

ok I have several of those, I thought it was some specialist roofing tool.....so you've never heard of that stuff I'm on about?

 

[vards01]

Pointing is sorted out......but these tiles are just not cleaning up.....I can't belive some idiot has plastered paint all over them! I think the paint has actually been absorbed by the tiles, as I tried to rub with sand paper......

 

[Cumbrianroofer30yrsexp]

Pointing is sorted out......but these tiles are just not cleaning up.....I can't belive some idiot has plastered paint all over them! I think the paint has actually been absorbed by the tiles, as I tried to rub with sand paper......

The ideas some people have.